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DEI

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Tammy Costello

DEI page under HR page

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are three closely linked values held by Westborough Public Schools as we work to be supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of various races, abilities, ethnicities, religions, genders, and sexual orientation.  The three concepts are grouped because they are interconnected and it is only in combination that their actual impact emerges. 

Westborough Public Schools embraces Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and incorporates its focus of DEI hiring and retention goals in our District's Strategic Plan.

Specifically, WPS incorporates into daily student learning and peer to peer relations: 

Diversity - all people are unique. Diversity entails recognizing, valuing, honoring, and caring for people of all abilities, social identities, and groups, as well as understanding and appreciating the individuality of every person. Diversity goes beyond acknowledging and tolerating differences to:

  • Practicing respect for qualities and experiences that are different from our own. 

  • Exposing to and engaging with unfamiliar ideas, perspectives, cultures, and lived experiences and equipping all to interact empathetically and thoughtfully.

  • Designing opportunities to reflect on identity.

Equity - recognizing each person’s/group’s specific circumstances and needs and ensuring those needs are met. Equity entails fair treatment, policies, practices, and active and meaningful opportunities; it also requires access to resources specific to each person to be set up to thrive. Equity demands:

  • Documenting, interrupting, challenging, and responding to bias, harassment, and discrimination.

  • Recognizing that personal, cultural, institutional, and systemic bias creates and maintains privileges for some while creating and maintaining disadvantages for others.

  • The inclusion and empowerment of historically marginalized and disadvantaged people and groups.

Inclusion - people from all abilities, social identities, and groups socially and structurally are respected and accepted, have their needs met, and feel valued and connected to others and the community. To be included is not passive and means more than having access and being invited in. Inclusion requires:

  • Establishing a culture of understanding and caring for the experiences of others.

  • Reconstructing school policy and practice so all people have power and can effect change.

  • Developing shared community values and inviting all stakeholders to be active creators.