  |
         |
 |
 |
 |
BISSNET is committed to fostering a climate of acceptance and respect within its member schools. With the support of the John R. Oishei Foundation, a Diversity Program was put into place in the fall of 2007.
At BISSNET, our member schools believe that a diverse learning environment is critical to achieving a true education. Understanding people of different cultures, economic backgrounds, religious beliefs, and ways of thinking are key to developing students who are contributing members of society.
BISSNET's Diversity Program has four goals:
1. To assist schools in creating and maintaining a climate of respect and acceptance among students, faculty and staff members through ongoing workshops and programming.
2. To work with school heads to attract a more diverse population of students and teachers.
3. To provide resources to teachers that can enrich their curriculum through the inclusion of multicultural perspectives.
4. To facilitate relationships between the schools and local cultural organizations.
National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity)
Adults and students from BISSNET schools are fortunate to participate in a national diversity project. This project was developed at Wellesley College, and is called SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity).
Through the use of articles, videos, books, and interactive exercises, the SEED Project encourages participants to look closely at their own lives in relation to diversity issues. One important aspect of this program involves rethinking the curriculum by balancing "the scholarship on the shelves" with "the scholarship in the selves." Topics discussed in this year's SEED group include: classism, privilege, gender, race, ethnicity, immigration, assimilation, and how to create change in our schools.
Two SEED groups meet monthly for 2-3 hours to discuss diversity issues.
Student Conference on Leadership and Diversity
This year's Diversity Conference was held on January 8, 2008 at Daemen College. The theme for the conference was "One Community, Many Voices." Students came together to discuss how to combat bias, prejudice, racism, and homophobia in their schools.
Summer Professional Development Series
Each summer, educators from the BISSNET consortium are presented with a variety of daylong workshops related to diversity. Some sessions offered include incorporating diversity into the curriculum, an introduction to the SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), and examining multicultural education practices.
People from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to consider applying for positions in the BISSNET schools. Please contact Gretchen Cercone for more information.
If you are interested in more information about the Diversity Program, please contact:
Gretchen Cercone, BISSNET Diversity and Community Engagement Coordinator
Phone: 716-380-1966
Fax: 716-829-2735
E-Mail: gcercone@bissnet.org
Mail: P.O. Box 745
Buffalo, NY 14215
|
|
|
|
|