HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/30/1997 MULTICULTURAL MEETING Minutes of Multicultural Meeting
April 30, 1997
Members present: Drieke van Giffen, Barb Lucas, Kim Pavlovich, Pat Marzolf,
Carol Cude, Rachel Tessman, Kate Jensen, Linda Dailey, Brenda Robertson, Joy
Mueller, Jan Hoppe, Kathy Mullin, Ann Helm, Shirley Jackson, Carl Midjaas.
The meeting started at 4:00 P. M. Carol Cude, Chair of the Maplewood Human
Relations Commission was present to tell us about some of their activities. They
have a diversity poster contest. They had 200 entries in grades K-5. They will
make a strong attempt to display these posters in a place where they can be
appreciated by the public.
Brenda Robertson gave a brief report on her inservice at the Tri-district. This
was performed by the National Youth Leadership Council on April 24. The day
was spent examining leadership issues in regards to students of color and ways
that we can work to nurture those student leaders. Linda Dailey also gave a
report on her multicultural training at the Tri-district on April 25. She
reported that one of the most powerful experiences for her was the discussion
of the article on white privilege. How many of us have this privilege that we
take for granted or don't even realize is a privilege.
Bruce reported on two upcoming inservice opportunities. The first will be at
Hans Christian Andersen on May 8 and 9. The second is four days of
curriculum writing at the Tri-district on June 16-19. These four days are paid
curriculum writing days. Hamline credit is available. Spots are still open for
both sites.
Joy Mueller reported on the "Japan in a Suitcase" program that they have used
at Skyview Middle School. Yumiko Mitsui has been to Skyview several times to
work with 37 student leaders to teach them about Japanese culture and
language. These students then go back and teach their peers the information
they have gathered. This has worked quite successfully for them.
Richardson, Cowern and North have set dates to work with Hary Bartz from
East Communities Family Services on diversity training.
The rest of the meeting was spent talking about where do we go from here?
Who are we? and What are we about? Comments from committee members
follow:
Multicultural curriculum really needs to get into the classroom. Children need to see
themselves reflected in the materials they use.
We as a staff need to be responsible to the "community".
We need to raise awareness of a 11 staff members that are currently there.
We need to look at building an active student group that represents diversity.
Time factor: how do we find time to do ail this with everything else we are about.
We need to look at the number of students referred for LD, HP, and behavioral reasons.
Are students of color fairly treated by "the system."
We need to work to invite students to be part of this committee. We are missing their
voice. We also need to make sure that meetings are inviting to all.
We should do a survey of the staff in regards to attitudes, level of comfort, knowledge of
other cultures, own culture, etc.
We need to spend some time at the meeting sharing ideas and information.
Look at verbal and emotional abuse and how it impacts many individuals.
The best education comes from experience.
Survey the ESL students to see if they feel discriminated against. Sign ups and notices
sent home in students own language. We need a list of people who can interpret and write
messages in a variety of languages.
We need sub-committees to be the work horse for the committee as a whole. Sub-
committees would report back to the larger body. Suggested sub-committees were:
curriculum, outreach, survey/research, inservice, and grant writing.