Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Summit Public Schools is committed to providing a safe, equitable, and excellent educational experience for each and every student. Our commitment to knowing everyone by name, by strength, and by story goes beyond ensuring each student has access, to ensuring every student can bring their full, authentic selves to school each day and feel validated and supported in their time in Summit Public Schools. Our commitment is embedded in our school district goals, and in the actions of our faculty and staff at every school, every day.

As part of this ongoing effort, we take pride in the following partnerships that continue to guide and support our work:

Partnership with Kean University's The New Jersey Cultural Competency and English Language Learners Institute and Mentoring Program to train teacher leaders at each school in cultural competency.

Participants engaged in three full days of professional development centered on identity and an exploration of culture both of their colleagues and of our students.
Following this professional development experience, Summit's teacher leaders engaged in mentoring sessions throughout the school year.
Summit Public Schools' teacher leaders will spend the 2023-2024 school year continuing their learning journey through professional learning.
They will also work with their school staffs to turnkey the culturally responsive strategies they have learned.

Partnership with New Jersey Consortium for Excellence Through Equity and Penn GSE Consortia for Equity and Excellence where our leadership team continues to learn and grow, exploring current research and best practices in DEIB K-12 education.

Evidence-based professional learning from nationally-recognized scholars and practitioners.
Innovative strategies for addressing district-school organizational and instructional issues, and student underachievement.
Leadership learning opportunities for middle and high school students of color.
Enhanced recruitment of administrators and teachers of color.
Support in the development and implementation of equity-informed district strategic plans.
Sharing of leadership and learning experiences.
Regular, active collaboration with other consortium districts to examine policies and share promising practices.

Partnership with NJ STRIDE, a consortium of school districts throughout New Jersey that strives to attain diverse candidates for teaching positions while offering insightful professional development opportunities to its member districts.

Community Partnerships: Interfaith Council and Summit Anti-Racism Committee

Embedded Onboarding training and Professional Development on Anti-Bias