Office of Equity Newsletter

The Office of Equity is excited to present this newsletter for the months of March and April 2022.

This edition highlights events occurring during March and April, including two proclamations passed during the month of March, authentic examples of the impact our Student Equity Ambassadors are having within our schools, and other information and events occurring in our division.

Please feel free to reach out to Lottie Spurlock, Director of Equity, at Lottie.Spurlock@lcps.org

or Traci Townsend, Supervisor of Equity, at Traci.Townsend@lcps.org with any questions.

Also, be sure to visit the Office of Equity's Webpage.

Loudoun County Public Schools recognized the month of March as Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Equity in Education Month, with the intention that educational equity, stronger equitable practices, and access and opportunity become an integral part of the local day-today dialogue with the goal of equitable change in LCPS communities and classrooms during that time.

View the entire

Proclamation

During Women’s History Month, we celebrated the many achievements and contributions, made by women to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States’ economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development.

Our students also recognized Women's History Month as CCO asked our elementary students to share their role models in the LeadHERship series that was posted to social media.

The Loudoun County School Board strongly encourage our staff and community to observe, recognize, and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of women to our country, the Commonwealth of Virginia, our beautifully diverse county, and our schools not only during the month of March, but throughout the school year.

View the entire

Proclamation

On March 21, 2022, the Student Equity Ambassador meeting was held in person. Students were provided transportation to the Administration Building, ensuring that all students had the opportunity to attend. It was the first time that the ambassadors were able to meet face to face, which allowed them to use the in-person space to strengthen their working relationships with each other. There was so much excitement in the room!

After greeting each other, students engaged in a conversation about culture, including how it is defined and why it is important to recognize and celebrate different cultures.

The student ambassadors also had an important task during this meeting - they provided input into the new equity statement. They worked in groups to discuss three main ideas to help them organize their thoughts for the equity statement:

1. What they value.
2. Key words or phrases that should be included in the new equity staement.
3. Shared beliefs and hopes for every student.

They provided important insight representing the student perspective.

Our final two meetings for the year will be virtual and will occur in April and June.

We know that listening to student voice is very important and this year, a group of students from Loudoun County High School took the initiative to organize its first annual Women’s Summit on March 21, 2022. A Student Equity Ambassador, who was also on the planning committee, said that the group wanted to showcase what women have done and what they are capable of, as well as empower girls at their school. The committee also wanted to create an experience that could benefit the entire school.

The Women’s Summit consisted of sessions led by female students who spoke about careers in STEM, music and film recording, entrepreneurship, and serving as an emergency medical technician (EMT). There was also a guest speaker who spoke about her successes and challenges as a woman of color working for the CIA.

While this was the first year for the event, it was a success. The event occurred for 90 minutes during the school day and was held in the library. Fifty students signed up for the event, however 90 students actually attended. The planning committee was thrilled by the amazing response and the overwhelming positive feedback.

The voice of students was also heard at Loudoun Valley High School when a group of students came together to organize a Black Student Union (BSU) as a way to support Black and Brown students at the school. The Student Equity Ambassadors at LVHS shared that the students in the BSU wanted to come together to bring awareness to the unique experiences of students of color and to grow as a community. Their goal is not to be divisive, but inclusive, as there are students of different races in the BSU who support the group’s desired outcomes. They also shared that it is important for students to have a voice in their learning and take action in helping to create a supportive climate for all students.

While the BSU was initiated by students, they needed a sponsor and also support from the school administration. Mrs. Taylor, the teacher sponsor, shared that she knows representation is important and she wants students to feel welcomed, included, and cared for. Loudoun Valley’s principal, Dr. Ross, shared from a historical perspective and highlighted the work of past student groups, including “In Living Color” and the “Student Association for Cultural Awareness.” She added how proud she is of the students and the entire team for supporting the creation of the BSU.

Students are laying a firm foundation for the BSU at LVHS as many of the student leaders who started the group are juniors and sophomores and will continue to lead the work next year. They are currently preparing for their participation in Club Day in April to bring awareness to mental health and wellness. The BSU will share how different forms of music by Black artists help to support social emotional wellness.

The Equity Leads also met in person for the first time in March. There was a feeling of camaraderie in the room and a willingness to share about experiences while serving in the role of an Equity Lead.

Learning was delivered by members of the VCU Office of Strategic Engagement team. The three outcomes for the learning were:

1. Reflect on the work we have done so far to increase equity.
2. Identify culturally resonsive needs in our school community.
3. Practice participating in challenging conversations.

The Equity Leads will have three more meetings this school year.

Visit our Office of Equity website at www.lcps.org/equityoverview.

The website provides a variety of information, including Resources for the LCPS Community.

Please follow us on Twitter to stay updated.