Racial equity, economic justice, inclusion and human rights are core values for the Bangor School Committee, the City of Bangor and its Council and its employees. The Committee believes that a fair, inclusive work environment provides an atmosphere that allows all individuals to attain their greatest potential, promote a sense of belonging, and achieve the greatest benefits for the school department.

The Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Economic Justice, Inclusion and Human Rights will foster a shared culture in the community that promotes the goals of accepting, respecting, and valuing differences, including attributes such as age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation gender expression, sexual identity, ability, language, family circumstances and cultural backgrounds.

DEI committee meetings for 2024 to be held in the Bangor High School Library. Use the Peakes Auditorium entrance and follow signage to the meetings. Members of the public are welcome to join.

• January 23

• February 13

• February 27

• March 12

• May 21

• June 4 (final meeting before reporting out to the School Committee)

Agenda:

• Welcome/introduction to new members

• Student report-out

• Subcommittee break outs

• Reconvene as a group for subcommittee report-outs, then

• Special reports (School Committee, Superintendent, etc)

• Final announcements (Please bring any community events, learning opportunities, etc., that you would like to share!)
  

Statement Regarding Partnerships with Caregivers and Community Members to Create Schools that Value Diversity and Offer Equitable Opportunities for Learning

We are fortunate to live in a community united through diverse experiences, identities, cultures, backgrounds, family structures, faith communities, and ideologies. Most importantly, this diversity of perspectives brings abstract ideas “close to home,” creating opportunities for colorful conversations, mutual understanding, a deep commitment to respect, and school buildings where every voice matters.  Recognizing the beauty of this diversity and responding to it through creating enriching educational cultures is simply who we are at the Bangor School Department.  The Bangor School Department intends to continue to collaborate with caregivers and community members to  foster safety for all our students to express their individuality.  We aim to create school communities that further value diversity and self growth of all our students.

Bangor School Department Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement

In order to foster safe, uplifting educational spaces for students to express their individuality and learn to value diversity and self-growth, and in alignment with the language from the Maine Department of Education’s Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Statement, the Bangor School Department holds that every student can and will be successful when:

• School is a welcoming, safe place for all school community members to bring their rich, lived experiences, perspectives, and identities into every aspect of their Bangor School Department experience.

• Social, emotional, and behavioral supports are understood as critical prerequisites to academic learning.

• All academic and non-academic programming is culturally sustaining and co-constructed with school and community members.

• Curricula and materials reflect diverse perspectives, cultures, and identities and include practices and ideologies of historically marginalized communities.  

• Schools ensure ongoing professional development in anti-racist, anti-bias, and culturally sustaining practices, programs, curriculum, instruction, and policies.

• Staff are respected and regarded as knowledgeable about the ways to serve diverse student identities and engage with equity and inclusion within their class materials and practices.

• Families and caregivers are respected and meaningfully engaged partners in their students’ educations and are invited to collaborate in dialogue surrounding school culture.

• The district seeks input and expertise from stakeholders in working to create equitable schools in which we value diversity and self growth.