608-658-5246
Mon, Dec 12
|Mount Horeb High School
How Should Our Schools Handle Discriminatory Behaviors?
Breaches in civility related to diversity, equity, and inclusion occur in and out of the schoolhouse. Some of those breaches often evolve into injurious and malicious behaviors. How should discriminatory behavior be dealt with?
Time & Location
Dec 12, 2022, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Mount Horeb High School , 305 S 8th St, Mt Horeb, WI 53572, USA
About the event
During the last school year, a group of local anti-equity activists in our community reached out to the Mount Horeb Area School District and requested more transparency around how the district teaches diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI). On April 13, 2022, the district hosted a Community Curriculum Learning Night. This presentation included the current curriculum and resources the school uses, Wisconsin state standards related to DEI, plans for the future, professional learning related to DEI, and included time for feedback from the attendees. Information on how the district teaches DEI, as well as the presentation on April 13th, are readily available on the district’s website: https://www.mhasd.k12.wi.us
A recording of the presentation was circulated online, targeting teachers and staff for bullying and harassment. This vocal minority also hosted a gathering on May 12, 2022 called Continuing the Conversation. The guest speakers were Dr. Duke Pesta and David King. Pesta is the Director of FreedomProject Academy, host of the Dr. Duke Show podcast, and a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. King was a Republican candidate for Lt. Governor. The presentation discussed curriculum censorship and creating a hostile school climate around race, LBGTQ people and families, and inclusion.
With the input of students/staff and a review of the research, MHASD has developed a guiding document for how staff can respond. It reflects several considerations. Shouldn't an elementary school student be treated differently than a high schooler? What role does progressive discipline play in addressing discriminatory matters (e.g. first vs third incident)? How do interventions like education, restorative work, corrective actions, and punishment weigh into the school community's response? This work will be shared with interested community members on Monday, December 12, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the High School cafeteria. We encourage you to join us in a show of support for our district's ongoing committment to DEI.