Ethnic Studies Pilot Work Team

The Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Department is seeking parent/guardian and student representation from each of our four district regions to participate in our Ethnic Studies Pilot Work Team.

Creating a balanced and diverse representation on this team is essential. This team will consist of teachers​ and educators, ​students, parents/guardians, ​and community members. Team members will be provided with resources to learn about transformative ethnic studies in schools that will aid in the development of an Ethnic Studies Framework, which will be used in lessons and courses focused on Ethnic Studies.

This year, the team will meet for six sessions of training and preparation. Each ​Ethnic Studies Pilot Work Team training ​session will consist of an overview, guest facilitator, book study, related discussions, reflection, and the development of resources and components of the Ethnic Studies Framework.

 

Ethnic Studies on Northshore Learns News

During her weekly morning news, Dr. Reid met with Melisa Riley and Ayva Thomas to learn more about the Ethnic Studies Pilot Work Team and the future of Ethnic Studies in the Northshore School District.

 

Responsibilities

  • Attend and participate in monthly committee sessions to co-construct the NSD Ethnic Studies Framework and supporting documents for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. The first meeting will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
  • Work collaboratively towards the approval of the District’s Ethnic Studies Framework, which will guide the development of a high school semester course and related resources.
  • Analyze the results of the various implementations to make revisions.
  • Provide input for resources that teachers can use that promotes diverse representation.
  • Ensure the framework and resulting work parallels the work of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee, as mandated by Senate Bill 5023 and 6066.
  • Communicate first-round recommendations to the Superintendent in the Spring of 2021.

 

Tentative Meeting Dates & Times

All meetings tentatively scheduled for 8:00 - 11:30 a.m.

  • Wednesday, January 13, 2021
  • Wednesday, February 10, 2021
  • Wednesday, March 10, 2021
  • Wednesday, April 21,2021
  • Wednesday, May 12, 2021
  • Wednesday, June 9, 2021

 

Qualifications

  • Ability to maintain an open mindset regarding the implementation of pilot.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with a range of diverse members.
  • A commitment to learning and growing perspective along the way.
  • Students must have permission to attend sessions between 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. from a parent/guardian and school administration.

 

Application for Students, Parents/Guardians and Community

  • For those interested in participating in the Ethnic Studies Pilot Team, complete the following Ethnic Studies Work Team Interest form by midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. 
  • Team members will be notified of participation status by Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.
  • If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Riley, assistant director of equity pedagogy or Ayva Thomas, assistant director of racial and educational justice. 
  • If you need to submit your responses via email, please email mriley@nsd.org and athomas2@nsd.org or send a hard copy of the Ethinic Studies Work Team Interest form to Melissa Riley at Northshore’s Administrative Center (3330 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, WA 98021).
  • All interest forms will be reviewed and considered as we work to build a balanced representation of schools, programs, and grade levels.