Equity During a Pandemic

 

In education, every year we push out a number of buzz words.  We then use these words or phrases over and over again.  We frame our work around them.  We align our data dives to match them.  We promote our successes with them in mind.  If this was a live conference or workshop for educators, I would ask participants to name the various buzz words and phrases that have come and gone during their career.  There would be many.

 

While I won’t predict their responses, I would not expect equity to be one of the words.  At least not yet.  Although used frequently, educational equity is more important now than ever.  During this pandemic, educators and other leaders have had the opportunity to consider our work around equity and to redefine what it means for our scholars and families.

 

Fellow educator, Erika Garcia stated that “Equity isn’t handing a kid a laptop.  It’s knowing the systemic conditions that led to the lack of the laptop and working to mitigate them.”  This statement is so true. We can interchange the word laptop for internet connectivity, nutritional meals, quality health care and the list could go on and on.

 

Equity is a core value for Selma City Schools.  For us it means a focus on removing barriers that impede the success of our scholars.  The Covid-19 pandemic has made it clear that this emphasis is more important than ever.

 

As we embark on reopening schools through full remote and virtual learning, we know that there will be challenges that are beyond our control.  Yet we will be intentional in identifying and addressing the challenges that we can impact while providing information to families about services and other supports that we may not be able to provide directly.

 

One thing that we are committed to is helping to support our working families, single parents and others who struggle with quality child care during school hours.  This week our community partners can expect to hear from Courtney Washington, our community engagement specialist.  She will share the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that our board of education recently approved.

 

This MOU will serve as an agreement between our school district and participating churches, businesses, civic groups and others who want to help.  The help will include providing child care and support for our scholars during virtual learning.  In the coming weeks, we will provide a list of community organizations that have agreed to participate in this effort.

 

We are excited to be able to call on our village to support our families in need.  We encourage all families to make the necessary arrangements so that your children will be cared for during the school day.  This service will be for those who absolutely need it in order to continue working.

 

Equity during a pandemic does look different.  Team Selma is up for the challenge and we hope that you will join us.

 

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org