Parental_Consent

=Following is suggested wording, please edit to increase student participation:=

**//[To be printed on school letterhead]//** **9th Grade Diversity Initiative Participation Form** Dear Parent/Guardian, Local educational leaders have identified the need to educate area youth on empowering diversity. For this reason, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation has awarded a grant for 2008-09 to provide school culture training and follow-up activities for ninth grade students in Kent ISD’s public, private and parochial school districts. Kent ISD has partnered with the Bob and Aleicia Woodrick  Diversity  Learning  Center at Grand Rapids  Community College to offer this training. The training will provide learning experiences that will give students specific skills and tools they can use to become “agents of change” within their schools and community. The 9th Grade Diversity Initiative is an effort to develop awareness and respect for a diverse society and improve the cultural climate at school. This training will provide learning opportunities for dialogue and engagement which may help youth begin to develop a strong sense of personal identity, responsibility, caring, compassion and respect. Today, we live in an increasingly diverse nation. The make-up of America ’s population continues to change at a rapid pace. Future leaders who are not culturally competent cannot be fully effective. In this training, students will leave with an understanding of and a commitment to facilitating dialogue, mediating conflict and helping to create a safer environment at their school. By providing participants with the skills of cultural competency, they will also be empowered to assist their school in fulfilling the mission of providing high quality education for all students. We thank you for your time and attention to this important issue. Sincerely, Principal Name [ ] Yes, I give permission for my child to participate in the 9th Grade training and travel to the off-site location. [ ] No, I prefer my child not participate in the learning opportunities provided by 9th Grade Diversity Initiative. Adult: X ________________________________________________________ Date: _________________________ Please print adult’s name: __________________________________________________________  Please print child’s name and school (please include any dietary restrictions): ___________________________________________________________  __________________________________________________________________
 * //Your child has the unique opportunity to participate in Word UP! Word OUT! training program//**, description attached. Training will take place on the campus of WMU. Please allow your student to participate and complete the permission form below to be returned to the school office by **//[insert schools Deadline Date]//**.