DASD Cultural Equity Task Force

The purpose of the DASD Cultural Equity Task Force (CETF) is to ensure equity for students, staff, and families by eliminating bias and inequities in our classrooms and in our schools and also by enacting policies, procedures, and practices that are both culturally responsive and culturally sustaining.

In This Section

Diversity Equity & Inclusion

There are four formal groups of individuals promoting DEI work within the district:

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Cultural Equity Taskforce Leadership Team
Cultural Equity Taskforce Team
Building Equity Teams

Questions?
equity@dasd.org

Tweet: @equitydasd

IG: dasdequity

The CETF adheres to the following responsibilities:

Identify equity issues in the district and propose plans to correct problems.
Actively identifying and eliminating all forms of bias, discrimination and inequity within the district.
Ensure that Develop equitable policies, procedures and practices are equitable so that to ensure that every student gets what he/she/they need (academic, social, emotional), every student is an integral part of each classroom, and every adult feels heard and valued
Assist Director of DEI with tri-annual district climate surveys of all staff.
Explore data for trends and use data for improvement.
Respond directly to incidents within the district that affect equity in the DASD community.
Make recommendations about appropriate actions in making decisions regarding district activities and policies
Propose events, initiatives, and programs to enhance district climate and culture.
Ensure all diversity events, initiatives, and programs fit the district’s missions and goals.
Create specific timelines for initiatives.
Attend CETF meetings that report regularly to the Director of DEI.
Meet with the Director of DEI separately for subcommittee updates.
Serve on at least 1 subcommittee per person which actively addresses equity concerns in the district.

***CETF members must attend at least one session every six months to maintain membership.***

Subcommittee Information

How do I sign up?

Member Info

We are happy that you are choosing to return back to the group. We have “re-imagined” what the taskforce looks like, but are happy to be rolling out some new tasks, assignments and initiatives. Thank you for the hard work you have already put it, without it, we could not have gotten this far. You do not need to fill out another sign-up form for the new school year.

Meeting Dates

Subcommittees

Mission

Our mission is to discover and share materials and programming across our DASD buildings that promote the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

These initiatives will affirm all identities, encourage students and staff to live authentically and have their voices heard.

Book Literary Series

Mission

We are committed to exploring change through hosting courageous conversations inspired by a series of book studies that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will curate resources for educators, students, and our community which reflect these goals.

Purpose (why do we exist)

Equity is a journey. The Literary Series wants to help support and grow diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in DASD. We strive to broaden our audience, build background knowledge, and forge a common understanding that leads to systemic change.

Community Partnerships

Mission

To better support our students and community, the DASD Community Partnership will develop meaningful and impactful events and engagements to advance all forms of equity, inclusion, and diversity that creates opportunity, enrichment, and joy for the betterment of our children and citizens.

Purpose

To bridge resources for DASD families and community. This group aims to educate through active engagements, partnerships and resources. This group is open to creating partnerships and making connections with individuals in the community.

Become a DASD Cultural Equity Partner!

Your corporate and community partnership will help advance the celebration of individuality and equity by bringing together the students, families, community members and businesses living within the Downingtown School Area District.

Make a Donation Here!

Diversity Calendar

12 Months of Diversity- Mission Statement

The purpose of this calendar is to highlight all traditions, celebrations and holidays that are observed by our students, staff, and within the DASD community.

12 Months of Diversity- Vision Statement

This yearly calendar will serve to raise awareness and educate staff, students, and families about the diverse traditions and holidays celebrated by our DASD community.

Traditions are important in Downingtown Area School District, just as they are in families. And, nothing is more important than the annual traditions celebrated during their seasonal holiday. DASD will continue its mission and commitment to educational equity and ensuring that the learning and working environment in the DASD is welcoming, accessible and affirming of all identities and lived experiences. Below, please find our district "Twelve Months of Diversity" calendar.

View Entire Diversity Calendar

View Diversity Calendar Resources

Ultimately, it is up to each of us within DASD to create an inclusive celebratory environment. Be an ally to your friends and coworkers from different backgrounds. Listen to their stories and attend events. Bring your authentic self to school and work, beliefs included.

If you feel we missed an important holiday on the calendar, please message our Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at diversitycalendar@dasd.org. He will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible and to correct the error.

Observable Messaging

Policies and Procedures

Mission

Lead with fairness, equity and inclusion into all of the policies, programs, operations and practices.

Here is our latest work below:

Educational Equity Policy (DASD #832)

On November 10, 2021, the Downingtown Area School District Board of School Directors approved the new Educational Equity Policy - #832. This is a brand new policy and the purpose of this email is to provide you with a brief summary.

Policy Purpose:

The purpose of the policy is to prioritize the principle of educational equity through the fair and just allocation of resources, opportunities and treatment of students and staff based upon each individual student’s or staff’s needs.

Commitments:

We will promptly identify and address barriers that cultivate achievement gaps and/or opportunity gaps for students or staff.
We will ensure that each student’s educational achievement is neither predicted nor predetermined by explicit or implicit biases, and that staff are not denied professional opportunities due to explicit or implicit biases.

Major Points:

We are committed to fairness and justice for all students and staff regardless of background.
We will conduct periodic educational equity audits to benchmark educational equity in the district and address inequities.
We will display conduct and will foster school climates that are equity focused and culturally responsive and supported through relevant training.
Our Educational Equity Audits will include enrollment and attendance data, achievement indicators, and behavior indicators broken out by student background.

Items to be Emphasized:

We will maintain high expectations for all students while providing multiple pathways to success and participation in challenging programs, school activities, and co-curricular activities.
Holding ourselves to being responsive to and seeking out diverse cultural perspectives, identities, linguistic diversity, and other needs of students and their families by providing equitable instructional materials, resources, and access to services daily.

As this relates to:

Creating a Welcoming and Inclusive Environment

Fostering Partnerships and Inclusion

Being Data Focused

Maintaining an Equity Lens

Developing Cultural Competency

Expanding Workforce Diversity

Offering Professional Development

Retention and Recruitment

Copy: DASD Student Demographic Data
Infogram

DASD Employment

Downingtown Area School District (DASD) values diversity, equity and inclusion. DASD acknowledges and works to address structural or procedural barriers to full inclusion within the district. We acknowledge and are aware that individuals may have complex identities in which their experiences have been based on. This includes, but is not limited to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or handicap/disability. DASD will continue its goal and commitment to educational equity and to ensuring that the learning and working environment in the DASD is welcoming, accessible and affirming of all identities and lived experiences. Downingtown urges all historically disenfranchised and minority individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. DASD welcomes viable applicants who can bring their lived experiences and expertise to the district from a cultural lens to support all students.

We are pleased to accept employment applications for all positions through Frontline Applicant Tracking. Use the links below to view open positions, start an application for employment or login to continue or modify your current application. Thank you for your interest in the Downingtown Area School District!

View Open Positions

Student Success

Mission

The mission of the Student Success Subcommittee is to provide opportunities that promote a greater understanding of student identities, multiculturalism, inclusion, and social justice within our school district, and to work towards eliminating inequalities, inspire, and prepare our students for higher levels of personal and social responsibility, and post-secondary success.

Purpose

To provide opportunities and access for students who are underrepresented in our district in an equitable environment where they can develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for academic, emotional, and post-secondary success.

We will develop “Brave Spaces” and a supportive school environment that advocates for all students.
We will create educational pathways and opportunities that engage diversity and challenge inequities across the district.
We will utilize restorative practices that promote personal and social responsibility across our student body.
We will provide resources to encourage faculty and staff to grow towards equitable learning and environments that are free from discrimination and bias behaviors.