Ethnic Studies Work Team

The team will initially co-construct the NSD Ethnic Studies Framework and Supporting Documents to include, but may not be limited to: key themes; definitions; enduring understandings; essential questions; learning targets; vocabulary, planning considerations; curricular correlations; and recommendations by level and course type. Then, the team will create an Ethnic Studies high school course with a clear scope and sequence, outlining units and lessons, rooted in the hallmarks of transformative Ethnic Studies.

The team will work with CMAC for approval of the NSD Ethnic Studies Framework, the Ethnic Studies Course and related resources.

The team will create written and video media, in partnership with the Communications Department, to promote the courses in secondary.

The team members, who are classroom teachers, will implement the Ethnic Studies framework and course work at each level by creating, sharing, teaching and reflecting on lessons taught and student work in each semester.

The team members will participate in analyzing the results of the pilot and implementation.

The team will generate a Resource Bank that can be shared with teachers across the system who are trained to use the Ethnic Studies Framework and/or teach the Ethnic Studies course.

The team will ensure the framework and resulting work parallels the work of OSPI’s Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee, as mandated by Senate Bill 5023 and Senate Bill 6066

The team will propose recommendations  and updates to the Superintendent in the Spring of 2021 for the implementation of the P-12 Ethnic Studies Framework in the 2021-2022 school year, which will include, but is not limited to timelines, resources, professional development, scope and sequence and desired communication.

Ethnic Studies Core Design Team meets monthly on Thursdays from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.

• October 21, 2021
• November 18, 2021
• December 16, 2021
• January 20, 2022
• February 17, 2022
• March 17, 2022
• April 21, 2022
• May 19, 2022
• June 9, 2022

Ethnic Studies Collaborative Learning Team holds virtual meetings monthly on Monday evenings from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

• November 22, 2021
• December 6, 2021
• January 3, 2022
• February 7, 2022
• March 7, 2022
• April 4, 2022
• May 2, 2022
• June 6, 2022

The Collaborative Learning Teams met this year to learn together in three groups--students, educators and family-community members on different days. Each team followed the same agenda and engage in book talks and discussions about Ethnic Studies and framework development, based on the common text, Rethinking Ethnic Studies, edited by Cuautin Zavala, Sleeter & Au, 2019.

The Ethnic Studies Work Team includes family and community members, students, Northshore educators and administrators representing all regions of the Northshore School District. Members were selected based on their interest form application to achieve representation from our communicate who reflect a diverse and dynamic range of backgrounds, knowledge and experiences.

The Core Design Team and the Collaborative Learning Team make up the Ethnic Studies Work Team, represent the diversity across our community and throughout our schools in regards to race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, gender, mental health status, disability/ability, age, sexual orientation, religion, and gender expression, family dynamics, occupations and affiliations.

• Ability to maintain an open mindset and flexibility regarding pilot process and implementation.
• Ability to work cooperatively with a range of diverse members, including other students, families, community members and educators.
• A commitment to learning and growing perspective along the way, even when experiencing discomfort.