Equity
We believe that the South St. Paul Public Schools should provide an environment where open communication and the celebration of differences are accepted and appreciated.
Every three years, we create an "Achievement and Integration Plan" that responds to the needs of our students, staff, families, and our community in general. The plan is incorporated into our World’s Best Workforce planning, and is reviewed, evaluated and updated annually as required by the state of Minnesota.
The purpose of the Achievement and Integration for Minnesota program is to pursue racial and economic integration, increase student achievement, create equitable educational opportunities, and reduce academic disparities based on students' diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds in Minnesota public schools. Read Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.861. Read Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.862.
In South St. Paul, our Achievement and Integration Plan helps to drive and guide our work in reducing achievement and opportunity gaps for our students while increasing achievement for all.
EQUITY PROGRAMS/Services & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS
- INNOCENT CLASSROOM
- EQUITY ALLIANCE MN
- PARENTS IN ACTION/PADRES EN ACCION
- AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM
- AMERICAN INDIAN PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE- EQUITY LAWS
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS
INNOCENT CLASSROOM
EQUITY ALLIANCE MN
PARENTS IN ACTION/PADRES EN ACCION
AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM
AMERICAN INDIAN PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE- EQUITY LAWS
Contact Information
Chad Schmidt
Director of Equity and Learning
chad.schmidt@sspps.org
(651) 457-9416
Lesly Gámez
Assistant Director of Equity and Learning
lgamez@sspps.org
(651) 552-5563
Cultural Liaisons
Maria (Tere) Castellanos
Cultural Liaison, Early Learning
(651) 306-3644
mcastellanos@sspps.org
Spanish-speaking
Daisy Medina-Cuenca
Cultural Liaison, Kaposia
(651) 306-3667
dmedina-cuenca@sspps.org
Spanish-speaking
Juan Sosa
Cultural Liaison, Secondary
(612) 715-0610
jsosa@sspps.org
Spanish-speaking
Delia Granados
Cultural Liaison, Secondary
(651) 306-3665
dgranados@sspps.org
Spanish-speaking
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, THE COMMUNITY, AND SSPPS STAFF
Student and Community Resources
Center for Racial Justice in Education
National Public Radio (NPR)
Teaching Tolerance
- Teaching About Race, Racism and Police Violence page
- Speak Up Against Prejudice, Bias and Stereotypes - 1/10/19
American Academy of Pediatrics
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Common Sense Media
Harvard's Center on the Developing Child
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
National Institute of Mental Health
- Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Disasters and Other Traumatic Events
- What Parents Can Do: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disaster
Zero to Three
STAFF RESOURCES AND TEACHING TOOLS
Minnesota Department of Education
- How to Talk About Traumatic Events and Tragedies
- Acknowledging the Role of Implicit Bias as a Barrier to Reaching All Children Webinar Series
American Psychological Association (APA)
- What Makes Kids Care? Teaching Gentleness in a Violent World
- Anti-Defamation League Parent, Family and Caregiver Resources
National Network of State Teachers of the Year