Diversity and Inclusion

What is Diversity & Inclusion at the ECCC PTA? Goals/Purposes of committee

• To serve as a liaison between state-level PTA groups and our local unit PTAs in any matters relevant to diversity and inclusion or cultural issues.
• To aid local unit PTAs in their efforts to create and promote an awareness, knowledge, and understanding of our diverse communities for our children and their families.
• To build our PTA membership to reflect our council’s diversity so that all our families feel encouraged to join.  

What would implementing Diversity & Inclusion look like for my school? Sample Local Unit implementation Plan (Sope Creek Elementary)

• Establish an “International Week” at Sope Creek featuring activities and special events aimed at exposing our students to various elements of world cultures, culminating in an “International Festival” at the end of the week
• Ongoing Chronicle (newsletter) feature “Culture Corner,” presenting information on different cultures for students and families 
• Monthly displays of library books and other media resources to coincide with various cultural events and holidays
• Events/performances to celebrate and highlight various cultural events and holidays throughout the year (e.g., Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras, St. Lucia Day, Day of the Dead)
• Lunch & Learn, or similar event, for families of other nationalities co-hosted by representatives from the Cobb County School Board’s International Welcome Center as a forum for them to ask questions and become more familiar with our education system and the PTA
• Establish a cadre of volunteer translators/liaisons between PTA and non-native English speaking groups to facilitate events and communications

Why should I implement Diversity & Inclusion programs at my school? Diversity & Inclusion programs can…

• Enrich student education
• Help close social gaps
• Provide a sense of pride to students about their culture
• Encourage all our families to join PTA

What can I (Presidents) do to help implement Diversity & Inclusion programs at my school?

• Establish a Diversity & Inclusion committee for your local unit PTA
• Designate a representative from an existing committee whose work best fits with diversity and cultural issues to implement D&I programs
  • Education Enrichment
  • Parent Involvement
• Send your representative (or attend as your own representative!) to an ECCC PTA Diversity & Inclusion Workshop

ECCC PTA Diversity & Inclusion Workshops

• Representatives from all 35 ECCC PTA schools invited
• Excellent opportunity for networking and sharing best practices and ideas to prepare programs for next year

Diversity & Inclusion at Georgia PTA – http://www.georgiapta.org/leadership-diversity.html

For more assistance from ECCC PTA, please email Wendy Stewart at Diversity@ecccpta.org with specific questions or assistance.