We are deeply concerned to learn that the Board of Education has removed the DEI language from the district goals and is unwilling to seek expert advice on developing a DEI initiative that meets the specific needs of New Canaan Public Schools.  All of our peer districts include DEI specifically in their goals.
 
NCPS has traditionally taken a holistic approach to achieving academic excellence, relying on collaboration and respectful dialogue to move our community forward. We are concerned that the Board’s unwillingness to learn more about DEI is a shift away from this successful practice. DEI education benefits ALL children through an appreciation of differences - including learning abilities, ethnicity, age, gender identity, physical ability, sexual orientation and religion/spirituality.  
 
DEI education is integral in providing a world-class education. The highest achieving school districts prioritize DEI in their mission along with numerous corporations that actively focus on and implement DEI initiatives. New Canaan has been given a C- in diversity, signifying this is an issue that needs to be addressed for the benefit of students in our community.
 
We call upon the Board to maintain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the district goals and to seek expert advice to guide them in creating specific DEI initiatives that fit our community.