- Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
- DEI Districtwide
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in the District
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The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is committed to providing a high-quality education in a safe, supportive environment for all students. For the school district to meet the needs of all students, it must intentionally focus on transforming policies, practices, and processes to eliminate the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) gap that affects marginalized groups.
Diversity
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Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, encompassing the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. While diversity is often used in reference to race, ethnicity, and gender, we embrace a broader definition of diversity that also includes mission-relevant experience, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language(s) spoken, and physical appearance. We also recognize that individuals affiliate with multiple identities.
Equity
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Equity is fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. In order to improve equity, we must increase justice and fairness within the procedures and processes of institutions or systems, as well as in their distribution of resources. Tackling equity issues requires an understanding of the root causes of outcome disparities within our society.
Inclusion
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Inclusive environments are places in which any individual or group is and feels welcomed, respected, supported, valued, and able to fully participate. An inclusive and welcoming culture embraces differences and offers respect in words and actions for all people, and fosters a diversity of thought, ideas, perspectives, and values.
District Commitments
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District Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide an excellent, equitable education in a safe, supportive environment so all students will succeed and contribute to a diverse and changing society.
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District Multicultural Commitment
The Fairbanks school system is committed to providing and maintaining a learning and working environment in which racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious differences are recognized and valued.
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District Equal Educational Opportunity Policy
It is the policy of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District to provide a free appropriate public education, for all children to achieve maximum intellectual growth and development without discrimination due to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by local, state, or federal law, except where a bona fide requirement may lawfully disqualify an individual.
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District Strategic Plan Goals
The district's strategic plan is a document designed to set overall goals for the district and develop a plan to achieve them.
- Provide equitable opportunities and an inclusive environment where all students and staff are respected and feel welcome, safe and supported
- Close opportunity gaps while increasing student outcomes/achievement for all.
- Create a culture of belonging and inclusion for all, where issues of intolerance are addressed through education, awareness, and civic responsibility.
The following goals and more are listed in our FY20-FY25 Strategic Plan.
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District Core Values
Student-Centered: Center everything we do on the student and student learning.
Respect: Embody respect for the diversity and dignity of all.
Safe Environment: Strive to provide a safe learning environment.
High Expectations: Maintain high expectations and educational opportunities to inspire high achievement.
Collaborative: Actively collaborate with students, family, and community to support student success.
Innovative: Aim to be innovative and adaptive to student needs.
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Staff Member Expectations
At our core, we are a learning organization. Our purpose is to build an environment where every student can learn. As part of that, we train our staff to understand the diverse experiences of our students.
What we expect our staff to understand:
- Different experiences make us who we are
- We have things in common
- We have differences
- Learn another's story to help you understand them
- Avoid making assumptions about people
- No one needs to apologize for who they are
- Everyone is welcome
