Eye-opening, challenging, productive and interesting.
That’s how students describe their invaluable experiences attending meetings of the Mercer Island School District’s Superintendent Equity Advisory Council, which recently invited younger citizens into the fold to engage in impactful discussions with adult members of the community.
The trio of Mercer Island High School (MIHS) junior Diego Silva and freshman Omolara Olusanya along with Islander Middle School (IMS) sixth-grader Lola Meeks have participated in two meetings thus far on the Superintendent Fred Rundle-led council.
According to the district website, the council, in part, provides “educational services that promote critical thinking and personal narratives that are emotionally connecting, together with school environments that are inclusive, celebratory and respectful of our differences.” The council, which is next scheduled to meet on May 18 in the district administration building, includes teachers, principals, administrators, instructional coaches, parents, PTA and school diversity, equity and inclusion representatives, Youth and Family Services members and more.
Silva, who is the president of the MIHS Latinx Club, has grasped a new set of perspectives from hearing about the lives of people of varying ages on the council.
“For example, certain members on the council have children with disabilities, and I never really got to speak to anyone that had that sort of experience. Just learning from them,” said Silva, who was pointed toward the council by his club adviser Alma Parness.
Participating on the council is helping Silva grow as a person now and prepare him for his future in the college and professional career realms, he said.
“It’s a really important thing and I think it’s really good for me,” he said about interacting with his peers.
On the MIHS front, Silva said that inclusion is critical on campus, making sure everyone is heard and feels safe. While touching upon the lack of diversity at MIHS, Silva said he wants to ensure that the smaller Latino, Hispanic and Black populations feel welcome and have a voice.
Along with the Latinx Club, other MIHS student-led equity groups are: Best Buddies, Black Student Union, Different Learners Club, Education Coalition for Asian Representation, Gender Equality Club, International Club, Jewish Student Union, Lean IN, No Place for Hate, Queer Straight Alliance, Student Group on Race Relations, Student Voices For Change and Women’s Empowerment Group.
Over at IMS, Meeks said that she aims to help to educate her fellow students about social justice and respecting one another. Sexism, racism, homophobia, lack of inclusion and diversity are a host of specific issues that Meeks would like to address and change on campus with some extra work, she said, adding that if they aren’t dealt with they could worsen.
Meeks discussed what she’s culled from the council meetings: “There’s a lot of different people there who have a lot of different opinions. I think it’s really cool to get the standpoint from both teachers and staff, but also parents and other students.”
Like Silva, Meeks has gained new perspectives by interacting with others and listening to their stories at meetings.
“It’s really interesting to see what people think, and have people challenge you on your ideas,” she said.
On the middle school campus, students can get involved with equity groups like IMS JUST (Justice & Understanding Support Team) and IMS Sources of Strength Student Club, or take the elective courses IMS Social Justice – Race/Ethnicity, Sex/Gender, Sexual Identity and IMS Social Justice – SES (socioeconomic status), Ability/Disability, Mental Health. At Gator Time, students have honored, celebrated and become educated about: Hispanic Heritage, Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, Native American and Alaska Native Heritage, Lunar New Year, Black History, Women’s History, Pride and more.
For more information about the council, visit: https://tinyurl.com/bdcehxhn
