West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
The West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District cultivates a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community where every individual is valued, respected, celebrated, and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration or citizen status, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ability/disability, socioeconomic status, or other protected characteristics. We recognize that every child residing in West Windsor and Plainsboro, has the right to receive a free and appropriate public K-12 education.
These values are upheld in our district mission statement to empower all learners to thoughtfully contribute to a diverse and changing world with confidence, strength of character, and love of learning. We believe that every individual has intrinsic worth, that embracing diversity enriches and empowers our community, and that people reach their full potential when encouraged to believe it is possible.
As a school community we will guide and support our students’ growth, empowering them to value their individual learning journeys by upholding our adopted strategic goals.
Our district upholds the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), N.J.S.A. 10.5.1 et. seq. which prohibits discrimination and bias-based harassment based upon actual or perceived characteristics and recognizes the guidance issued by the NJ Attorney General, Matthew Platkin. The issued guidance affirmed the legality and importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility policies in K-12 schools. Long standing legal precedents support these efforts.
We recognize diversity is not just a collection of differences, but an important asset that enriches our classrooms, school communities, and beyond.
We believe every student has equal right to access a high-quality education, and the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District is dedicated to removing all barriers that impede that access. Equity is not simply treating everyone the same, but rather consciously providing each student with the opportunities, resources, and encouragement they need to succeed and feel empowered.
We will foster inclusive classrooms where all voices are valued and contributions are celebrated. We will empower students to be their authentic selves and create a more open community where differences are embraced, not just tolerated. We will continue to actively listen to and learn from our students, families, and educators to create a truly inclusive and respectful environment.
In WW-P, every student has a right to a learning environment where all students belong and feel safe, seen, connected, supported, valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
We recognize the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion demands an ongoing process of continual learning. We are committed to creating a culture of continuous learning and reflection in our practices. Continuous learning includes supporting educators, students, and members of our community as they employ evidence-based practices in working with and supporting a diverse student body and community.
We understand students deserve to have inspiring educators, recruited from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, able to promote the aspirations of learners through example and varied perspectives, while committed to professional growth.
We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment that celebrates the rich diversity of our students and the world. We commit to employing engaging and relevant teaching methods that value all students, promoting critical analysis of perspectives and challenging stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination. We strive to ensure that all students have equitable access to resources, opportunities and support services. We actively advocate for policies and practices that advance diversity, equity and inclusion within our schools and communities.
The West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District believes that by embracing diversity, striving for equity, and fostering inclusivity, we can create a more just and equitable educational environment for our school community. This is not just our responsibility, but our privilege.
“All kids can, all kids belong, and we all play a part”