Equity at Emerson

At Emerson, equity is more than just a word. We have committed our time and resources to create —  and sustain — a school community where adults take responsibility for ensuring that every student is treated equally; that each student receives an equitable education and that every culture and background is honored and connected to teaching and learning. The work continues, but we are encouraged by the commitment of our families for a truly equitable learning environment for our children. Click here to sign up for our Equity Mailing List so you can learn about upcoming meetings, workshops, community celebrations, and the 2024 Spring Racial Equity Circle.

Emerson Equity Plan

The Emerson community has endorsed a Desired Racial Equity Outcome Plan, known simply as the Equity Plan. It was drafted by a racially diverse group of parents and staff, who were guided by a professional facilitator, and approved by the Emerson PTA Board in 2015 and is being updated for the 2023- 2024 school year. The goal of the Equity Plan is to build a culturally inclusive, racially equitable and welcoming school that empowers the Emerson community to achieve cultural competency. It also aims to remove cultural and racial barriers that prevent every student from reaching academic proficiency.

The Equity Plan serves as a roadmap for our equity efforts, and provides concrete recommendations for getting closer to our goals. Read the Plan here.

Equity on the Emerson PTA Board

The Equity VPs work to support the Equity Plan, encourage parents and guardians to take action on behalf of underserved students, and ensure that all families feel welcome at Emerson. They meet with the Teacher Equity Liaisons and our Family Engagement Officer.

The Equity Liaisons advise PTA organizers on cultural events and celebrations, such as Black History Month assembly, Dia de los Muertos, and Arab cultural events. In addition, they work to ensure all Emerson activities, programs, and events are viewed through an equity lens, using tools such as a Cultural Competency Checklist for event planning to ensure that all Emerson families feel welcome and included.

This August, 2023-2024 PTA board members joined together for a group equity training lead by board member Silvia Ahn.

Racial Equity Circles

Each year, Emerson PTA supports Racial Equity Circles to address racial and ethnic barriers to student achievement and parent involvement that arise at our school. The Circles are run by a professional facilitator and consist of a small group of parents, guardians, teachers, and staff who meet over the course of the school year to engage in dialogue and problem solving. We share different perspectives and experiences in a safe environment, create shared accountability and collaborate on actions that impact attitudes, practices, and policies.

Each year, the Equity Circle comes up with recommendations and action steps to reach the goals of the Emerson Equity Plan. Many of the Equity Circle’s ideas, such as requiring all teachers to attend Cultural Competency training every year, the creation of the Equity Liaison position and the Cultural Competency Checklist, have come to fruition through the hard work of the Equity Circles.

Together, we are strong. We invite you to join us in meeting our equity goals. We need your engagement, ideas and enthusiasm to succeed. Childcare and meals are provided.

Results of 2015-2016 Equity Circles

Your 2024-2025 Emerson Equity Liaisons:

Henriette Ako-Asare (PTA Equity co-VP), Lauren Markofsky (PTA Equity co-VP), Ms. Medina (Teacher Equity Liasion)

Support Black Lives at School All year long

The Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is a national coalition organizing for racial justice.

The Emerson community stands in solidarity with and works towards embodying the guiding principles of BLM. Explore ways that we can educate ourselves, discuss with our families, and take action to create the more equitable world we envision for the next generation.