- Folsom Cordova Unified School District
- District News
District’s Empathy Working Group continues to support welcoming schools
A volunteer team of students, employees, community members, parents and administrators gathered recently to continue exploring ways our schools can better foster welcoming, inclusive environments for all learners.
The Folsom Cordova Empathy Working Group was formed in May 2017 in response to concerns from parents and community members about bias-motivated incidents in schools. The group’s purpose is to advise the District on ways it can strengthen initiatives that help all students and families feel welcome and supported.
Members include civic leaders, community partners, students, school principals, counselors, parents, Folsom Cordova Education Association President Angelica Miklos, Superintendent Sarah Koligian and Board of Education Vice President JoAnne Reinking.
In May, the group began its work creating a commitment statement for the District to help guide all future efforts. That statement was communicated to families at Back-to-School Nights throughout the District and will be included in next year’s school handbooks.
During its most recent meeting in October, participants broke into small teams to drive a wide-ranging discussion about issues individual members viewed as the biggest school climate priorities throughout the District. Topics included implicit bias; the potential impacts of immigration policy on students and families; culturally responsive training for school employees; and supports for families and students arriving as refugees.
Interested in getting involved? Contact Child Welfare Coordinator Scott Meyer at smeyer@fcusd.org or (916) 294-9000.