Dear IUSD Community,
The Irvine Unified School District believes that discrimination, hate, racism, racial injustice and violence have no place in our society. We are deeply saddened by and condemn the stream of violence, abuse and hate that has been directed toward the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. As a school district, we are committed to maintaining a safe and positive school environment where all students, staff, parents, guardians and community members are treated with respect and dignity. This is integral to the success of the District’s vision, mission and goals of providing the highest quality educational experience we can envision.
The IUSD Board of Education has consistently called for a commitment to creating an unbiased and inclusive society through education. Together, in partnership with our diverse IUSD community, we are putting this commitment into action. This includes educating our students and community about racism and racial injustice, assessing and implementing curriculum that supports diversity, examining textbooks for inclusivity, and holding professional trainings for staff as part of our daily work.
In addition, IUSD’s Community Liaisons provide a range of services for our cultural communities, including African-American and Black, Arabic, Farsi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin/Taiwanese and Spanish. This includes:
- Language support services
- Community and family engagement
- Building bridges and partnerships between IUSD students, parents and staff
- Collaborating with key school site staff and departments
- Providing resources and referrals to ensure that students and parents have access to services
- Advocacy for the needs of parents, guardians and students
IUSD is also committed to civic engagement, which is grounded in our belief that we are not only responsible for preparing students academically but to also be engaged and informed citizens. On Tuesday, March 16, the Board passed Resolution No. 20-21-19 State Seal of Civic Engagement, which states that schools, students and our democracy will benefit greatly by supporting civic learning. School connectedness, engagement, climate and safety improves, as do academic outcomes, when students contribute to their campus, community and country on and off campus.
As one of the most diverse school districts in the nation, IUSD has always maintained that our strength is in our diversity. As we strive to support our more than 35,000 students, IUSD is committed to continuous improvement in how we teach and serve our students. In partnership with our community, we ask that you join us in standing against hate, discrimination and violence to build a brighter future for all of our students.
In the community resources section of our Speak Up We Care webpage, we have resources that may be helpful in discussing race, racism and discrimination with your children.
Sincerely,
Terry L. Walker
Superintendent of Schools
Irvine Unified School District
Language Support Services