Family Engagement

SoWashCo Schools is committed to sustaining and advancing a safe and welcoming learning environment, which strives to honor and recognize the identities of our students, staff, and community. The purpose of the DEI Department is to support educational equity and inclusion for each student, staff, and family member.

SoWashCo Schools is committed to continuously examining policies and practices to remove obstacles which contribute to systemic inequities. We are charged with fostering anti-racist and anti-bias learning environments, where all are validated and affirmed for who they are, with specific mindfulness paid to the culture, race, or ethnicity of each person in our schools and programs.

The purpose of SoWashCo’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) department is to support the closing of the academic achievement and opportunity gap. The "Achievement and Integration for Minnesota" program is established to pursue racial and economic integration and increase student academic achievement, create equitable educational opportunities, and reduce academic disparities based on students' diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds in Minnesota public schools.

DEI Advisory to Support family engagement 

Family engagement creates partnerships between parents, students and educators to further students’ academic success. SoWashCo's DEI Advisory is an opportunity for the community to give feedback on, as well as collaborate to build, systems and structures that support the responsibility of providing equitable experiences to all students, specifically from racial or ethnic groups which are historically underserved, students and families facing economic hardship, and specifically honoring and personalizing learning for the multiple intersectional identities of our students.

DEI Advisory info and application

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Staff of Color and American Indian Staff Resource Group |  Achievement and Integration Plan | Success Coaches and Cultural Liaisons | Native American Education 

Cultural Liaisons connect SoWashCo Schools, families and the community. They are advocates for equity and inclusion, empowering and supporting families to promote student academic success. 

Cultural Liaisons assist and support students and families with:  

• cultural adjustment 
• social-emotional development
• achieving academic success
• developing leadership skills
• career and college readiness

Each liaison works out of several different schools but is available to help any student in the district. Liaisons work in collaboration with school staff, families and the community through the Office of Achievement and Integration.