Findlay City Schools is committed to answering the call to action to recognize and address the disparities that exist throughout the school district. Acknowledging these issues is our first step in progressing in the areas of diversity, equity, and belonging. We will confront these issues boldly, with honesty and transparency. We thank you for your comments, emails, and phone calls following the events of last week. We are listening and we will not sit idle. When our students and our community speaks it is our obligation to listen, learn–and ultimately make improvements when warranted. We believe FCS needs to make intentional changes to promote a culture that understands and celebrates diversity and confronts racism and discrimination in a manner that educates and fosters long term change. Developing quality structural changes and programming takes time, but, again, we are not sitting idle and we recognize that we have work to achieve this vision. We are taking immediate action to begin the journey of true equality in our schools and eradicate discrimination in any form.

The following actions will take place during the 2020-2021 school year.

1. Immediately create an Equity, Diversity and Belonging Team
2. Establish an Equity, Diversity and Belonging Advisor
3. Provide diversity training for FCS administration prior to the start of school

The following actions are being considered and will be a focus of discussion with the Equity Diversity and Belonging Team in the 2021-2022 school year.

1. Reorganize the Central Office Administrative Team to include Equity, Diversity and Belonging programming and supervision
2. Implement quality and effective diversity programming and training for all FCS staff and students
3. Issue an Equity, Diversity and Belonging Annual Report to the community

This is only a start. The Equity, Diversity, and Belonging Team will ultimately drive our model. We will maintain open communication with our families and community as we continue to participate in crucial conversations and move forward in reflecting on our policies, curriculum, procedures, and improving our practices to create a cohesive district approach to tackle discrimination head-on.

• 20 Picture Books: Readings to Embrace Race, Provide Solace & Do Good
• Social Justice: Books to address Inequity, Equality, & Organizing
• How to Talk to Kids About Race & Racism
• Talking to Young Children About Race & Racism
• How to Use Children’s Books to Talk About Race & Racism
• How to Talk Honestly with Children About Racism
• Starting Important Conversations with Kids & Keep it Going
• Parent’s Guide to Preventing & Responding to Prejudice
• Antiracist Resources & Reads: All Ages
• Web Portal: Talking About Race
• Resources from We Need Diverse Books
• Talking to Kids About Race: Ages 3 to 8
• A Guide to Equity and Antiracism for Educators
• A Framework for Anti-bias Education
• Q & A: How to Talk to Kids About Black Lives and Police Violence
• Essential Understandings about American Indians
• Teaching Tolerance
• Talking About Race and Privilege
• Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race & Racism
• Ted Talk: No Such Thing as Being “Not Racist”
• Young Adult Anti-Racism and Social Justice Resources