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=Welcome to Kent ISD's informational wiki site for the 9th Grade Diversity Initiative!=

In 2001, the Kent Intermediate Superintendents Association adopted Diversity and Healing Racism as one of its county-wide initiatives with the goal being to focus the Kent Intermediate School District and its constituent districts on diversity and healing racism to improve student achievement. The Strategic Plan for the Diversity Initiative identifies a need for educational opportunities for area youth on diversity. Educational experiences that provide opportunities for dialogue and engagement can help youth begin to develop a strong sense of personal identity, responsibility, caring, compassion and respect.

For the second year, the [|Grand Rapids Community Foundation] has awarded Kent ISD a grant to provide diversity training and follow-up activities for ninth grade students in Kent ISD’s twenty-three 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 [|Word UP! Word OUT! diversity 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. This training will give us the opportunity to educate the youth of our community about the benefits of inclusion, respect for others and cultural competency. They will leave with an understanding of and a commitment to facilitating dialogue, mediating conflict and helping to create an environment where people are accepting of differences.

[|Area 9th grade students for 2008-09] have been selected to participate in this endeavor! When possible, schools have been grouped to correlate with the OK Conference Leagues due to the merger of the Grand Rapids City League into the OK Conference. Please work together with your Superintendent to decide if you are willing to participate. Be sure to communicate with Alternative Education Principals to include their participation with your school. The grant covers the cost for the training and food. Training is formated into Summits at WMU East Beltine and on-site training in your building. Summits include students from other schools and individual schools will be responsible for bussing and bussing cost.

Today, we live in an increasingly diverse nation. The make-up of America’s population continues to change at a rapid pace and for a variety of reasons. The need for youth involvement in efforts to develop cultural competency and racial healing is great. The work we are doing as adults will be of little value if we do not include participation of the next generation.

Please contact me with any questions: Julie Mushing Kent Intermediate School District email: juliemushing@kentisd.org Phonr: 616-301-8847