FCS launches ‘anti-racist initiative’ ahead of new school year

[ad_1]

Leaders of Frayser Community Schools said the new initiative aims to create more equitable opportunities and outcomes for black students and students of color.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. Frayser Community Schools is trying to create a more equitable environment for students by launching a new “anti-racist initiative” which is expected to take effect at the start of the next school year.

Founder Dr Bobby White said the past 18 months had reinvigorated what he had always thought: a bolder approach to education was needed.

With George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Aubrey, some of the things that happened with partisanship in our country, I thought we needed to take a stand and be a little more daring, ”he said.

The anti-racism initiative has three components: disciplinary practices, family involvement and trauma-informed schools.

FCS will implement a “no expulsion” rule for students, except in the most serious cases of zero tolerance.

Schools will focus on restorative rather than punitive practices to ensure that students are not suspended for minor incidents.

“To take discipline in a different direction and really think about it in terms of the trauma and all the things the kids have been through, you have to really dig into what happened to that kid to make him believe that behavior was appropriate,” , said FCS executive director Brett Lawson. “How can we remedy this damage? “

Lawson said he has added a restorative practice specialist to each school who can help students, including those who have experienced trauma, with their problems.

If you change the narrative from discipline as punishment to discipline as teaching, it really changes the way you approach it, ”Lawson said.

The Parent Advisory Council was also revitalized over the summer with the goal of further involving parents and making their voices heard.

At Westside Middle School, there will no longer be a School Resource Officer position at the school. Lawson has said he is an anti-racist institution, which means trying to cut the pipeline from school to prison.

When you walk into the school you are going to see loving teachers and principals, “he said.” There is nothing that is going to trigger to make you hostile to the school building.

Dr. White hopes students will recognize a difference early in the school year.

What that means, I think this kid can now understand that he is thinking about my challenges, instead of seeing me as the problem, ”he said. “Here’s what we need to recognize. The institution is a problem, not the child.

[ad_2]