Search
Sunday, January 17, 2021
The Daily
Search
News
Multimedia
Sports
Opinion
In-Depth
Subscribe
Lifestyles
The Roost
Marketplace
Send a Tip
31°
Full Forecast
The Daily News
  • News
  • Lifestyles
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Multimedia
  • In-Depth
  • The Roost
  • Marketplace
  • Send a Tip
  • Donate
  • News
  • Lifestyles
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Multimedia
  • In-Depth
  • The Roost
  • Marketplace
  • Send a Tip
Search

Subscribe

Subscribe to The Daily News

News 6/9/2020, 3:00pm

MCS addresses issues of diversity, inclusion and racism

By Staff Reports
MCS addresses issues of diversity, inclusion and racism

Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, Director of Public Education and CEO of Muncie Community Schools (MCS) sits at her desk Jan. 22, 2020, in the MCS Administration Office and Area Career Center. She has worked at the schools for almost 10 months and has previously worked in teaching, administrative and state-level positions. Jake Helmen, DN

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

Editor's Note: This story is part of The Partnership Project, a series of content written in an effort by The Daily News to follow the formal collaboration of Ball State University and Muncie Community Schools. Read more in this series here.

In the wake of the recent death of George Floyd, Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, director of public education and CEO of Muncie Community Schools (MCS), sent out a statement Monday about Muncie Community Schools' plan to address issues of diversity, inclusion and racism in the school district.

"Racism and racist violence, by action or inaction, is intolerable and unacceptable," Kwiatkowski said in the statement. "The Black Lives Matter movement must include all of us as we support our black and brown students, teachers, staff and families. It is not a black problem, but a global problem."

Moving forward, she said the schools' actions moving forward must reflect the fact that black lives matter.

"We are committed to dismantling racism in our schools and acknowledge some practices that are unacceptable, including an inadequate representation of our black and brown educators, disproportionate discipline and euro-centered curriculum," Kwiatkowski said.

Her statement listed different steps MCS has taken and will take in the future to address diversity, equity and inclusion:

New director of diversity

Last year, she said MCS established a cultural competency committee to provide "a welcoming, inclusive environment for students, families and staff."

Based on its recommendations, she and the committee and requested the MCS Board of Trustees to appoint Rhonda Ward as the school district's director of diversity. Kwiatkowski said Ward will continue in her current role as assistant principal at Muncie Central High School.

Additionally, she said the committee created a plan for cultural diversity training, including implicit bias, which will begin this summer. Before every staff meeting, there will be time to read, reflect, listen and have honest conversation regarding issues of racial justice.

MCS-Ball State Academic Innovation Plan

Kwiatkowski said one of the foundational principles in the strategic plan of the joint MCS and Ball State academic innovation plan includes culturally relevant teaching and learning,

She said this will be embedded in curriculum, professional development, social emotional learning and family and community involvement, among other steps taken by MCS.

Implicit bias training

MCS school resource officers, bus drivers and front office staff will be required to take implicit bias training starting this summer, she said. 

"This kind of proactive approach with our frontline workers responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone inside our schools is just one more way we can provide the best educational environment for every student," she said.

Student behavior

She said the schools will "continue to work to eliminate racist and punitive policies and practices" and plan to "incorporate restorative practices."

The groundwork for this, she said, has begun through the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports initiative and with the revamping of the 2020-21 Student Discipline Handbook.

Additionally, she said the schools are strengthening their Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) teams to proactively address student behavior so issues do not reach the level requiring suspensions.

Additional steps

Kwiatkowski said MCS will review its curriculum to ensure there is relevant material and classrooms have a variety of texts that include positive, diverse representations. She added it is committed to improving communication with our communities of color through multiple channels.

MCS, she said, will dismantle biased practices put into place in order to provide black students equitable access to different programs for gifted and talented students, Advanced Placement courses and dual credit opportunities.

She added, the schools will ensure minorities will be included, considered, and/or represented when it comes to identifying a panel of judges within the schools.

"It is what MCS does in the days, weeks and years ahead that will ultimately make a difference in the dismantling of anti-black racism that occurs within MCS and beyond," Kwiatkowski said. "We are committed to a sustained effort to create change where there will truly be equity and justice for all."

Share



Related Stories

Junior Caitlin Locante dives against Toledo Jan. 16, 2020, at Lewellen Acquatics Center. Locante earned her first letter at Ball State in the 2017-18 school year. Jacob Musselman, DN

Ball State defeats Bellarmine and UIndy on historic Senior Day

By Charleston Bowles

Ball State Cardinals redshirt junior forward Miryne Thomas shoots a three pointer against the Northern Illinois Huskies Jan. 16, 2020, at John E. Worthen Arena. The Cardinals beat the Huskies 78-58. Jacob Musselman, DN

‘Next man up’ mentality guides Cardinals in completing season sweep of Huskies

By Connor Smith

top5moviesmightvemissedfeature.jpeg

Five Movies you might've missed in 2020

By Mason Kupiainen


The Daily News welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.



Most Popular


Football 12/31/2020, 10:00am

A Neu day: How Mike Neu stayed positive through the struggles and found success

By Ian Hansen

1/2/2021, 5:50pm

'Peyton's Places' episode filmed at Ball State to air Jan. 3


Football 12/31/2020, 7:41pm

Ball State wins its 1st bowl game in program history against No. 19 San Jose State


Football 12/19/2020, 1:06am

Ball State Football wins its first MAC Championship in 24 years, defeats No. 23 Buffalo





Tweets by bsudailynews
To Homepage
  • About
  • Guidelines
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • The Daily

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2021 The Daily News

Powered by Solutions by The State News.