Equity & Community Engagement

Beachwood Schools Anti-Racism Statement of Conviction and Action

Approved by the Beachwood Board of Education as Resolution #06-20-2020 on June 8, 2020.

Beachwood Schools is committed to the equity, justice, and inclusion of ALL students and respects the frustration, anger and impatience of African Americans, people of color, and all marginalized Americans for whom our country has not lived up to its promise.  We embrace our organizational responsibility to dismantle practices that perpetuate structural racism in our school system and hold every Beachwood Schools employee responsible for doing so.

Over the past year, we have begun work on the following initiatives to become a fully inclusive and equitable school system:

• Authentic and honest engagement of all members of the Beachwood community
• Creating an inclusive curriculum
• Hiring African American and other educators from under-represented groups to mirror our diverse community
• Building students’ leadership skills to address race, racism and respect for all forms of diversity
• Providing equitable access to services and opportunities
• Conducting implicit bias and restorative practices training for school staff
• Acknowledging and addressing racial disparity in student discipline practices  

Beachwood Schools has made tangible progress in these efforts but has a long, long way to go.  The district aspires to provide ALL students with a rigorous education representative of our diverse backgrounds. We want to foster respect for the value of Black lives and awareness of unjust experiences and inadequate outcomes for Black and Brown students in America. We want to inspire active citizens who vote and engage in service to their communities, the nation and the world. In partnership with our students, graduates, and their families, the district is committed to breaking our country’s cycle of injustice and fulfilling our promise to each and every child.

Beachwood Schools Statement of Conviction
and Action Condemning Antisemitism

Approved by the Beachwood Board of Education as Resolution #10-23-492 on October 23, 2023.

We are profoundly aware of the anxiety, pain, and outrage felt by many in our community due to horrific terrorist attacks on innocent people in Israel, and we extend our support to all who are suffering. 

Antisemitism has existed for millennia. We recognize that many in the Beachwood community feel deja vu whenever antisemitism surfaces. The resulting sadness and trauma can be difficult to put into words, but those feelings are coupled with resolve – a resolve to stand up and speak out against hatred of any kind.

The attacks on October 7th in Israel represent the most brutal and largest scale in many decades. It has undoubtedly felt destabilizing, in addition to devastating and terrifying. 

The Beachwood community is special because its members come together not only in moments of crisis but at all times in support of every person's right to live free from hate and harm. Many in Beachwood have family and friends in Israel, and this community’s embrace is deeply comforting for them. 

We are steadfast in supporting our students, staff, and families and in condemning antisemitism in all its forms. We condemn any attempts to blame all followers of Islam for the horrific acts of terrorism committed on October 7, 2023. We embrace our organizational responsibility to counter antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of ignorance and hate and hold every Beachwood Schools employee responsible for doing so. We strive to ensure that all Beachwood students are seen, heard, and feel that they belong.

We urge all in the Beachwood community to continue supporting one another, to treat each other with care and respect, and to stand together against all forms of antisemitism, Islamophobia and intolerance. This is our commitment, and we ask that you join us in our efforts.

Beachwood Schools recognizes and honors the diversity of our community through monthly banner displays. Our hope is that students, families, and staff will take great pride in these visible representations of diversity and be inspired to learn more about one another. We aim to motivate our students to pursue their goals and dreams. We encourage families to engage their children in discussions about various cultures, beliefs, and causes. Equally important, we hope that our students' curiosity will lead to learning, followed by understanding and appreciation for the contributions of all groups to our community, country, and world. The byproduct of knowledge is understanding and the better we understand each other, the greater our opportunity to unite as a community. Please visit our school buildings to see banners displayed on the light posts.  

Beachwood Schools is deeply committed to fostering an environment of equity and inclusion within our comprehensive K-12 educational program. We engage in regular curriculum reviews to ensure our teaching materials and methods are inclusive and reflective of the diverse community we serve. By actively incorporating feedback from families and students, we strive to tailor our curriculum in a way that not only respects but also celebrates the unique backgrounds of all our students. This approach ensures that every child is provided with the opportunity and support needed to reach their full potential.

"Many Cultures, One Bison" is a student-driven initiative that began in the fall of 2018. This unique program emerged from the aspirations of our diverse student body, who sought to create a more inclusive and united school environment. 

The essence of "Many Cultures, One Bison" lies in the understanding that, while our student community comprises individuals from varied cultural backgrounds, we all share a common identity as members of the Beachwood Bison family. This initiative aims to bridge cultural divides, foster mutual respect, and promote a sense of belonging among all students.

As part of the "Many Cultures, One Bison" initiative, we encourage students, faculty, and staff to commit to the following pledge:

Pledge

• I will seek knowledge about differences and be open to the opinions and thoughts of others.
• I will celebrate that which makes each of us unique AND the unity of our community.
• I will increase the respect I show to others.
• I will be aware of the weight of my own actions.
• I will make a lasting impact on the world.

Through this pledge and the activities associated with the "Many Cultures, One Bison" initiative, we aim to cultivate an environment where every member of the Beachwood High School community feels valued, respected, and connected. 

The Department of Equity & Community Engagement at Beachwood Schools facilitates a comprehensive professional development program designed to educate and inform staff and students on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics. Examples of our professional development include: