Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

August 19, 2022

Get Excited About Back-to-School!

It’s hard to believe summer’s winding down and it’s back-to-school time again. Whether you’re an educator, caregiver or a student, as you savor these dwindling summer days and transition into education-mode, you’re likely experiencing a variety of emotions—excitement and happiness, or maybe even apprehension and anxiety.

It’s totally normal to feel uneasy about any type of change in life, which is why we crafted this month’s newsletter around resources that will help put you at ease, maneuver you into a school mindset and prepare you for the fantastic year ahead.

Advice for Periods of Transition

First, let’s address the obvious. The last couple of years have been anything but normal, so you’re not alone if you feel shaky about an upcoming education transition.

The Kentucky Department of Education's (KDE) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Team would like to offer three solid pieces of advice for students transitioning to middle/high school who feel that due to COVID or other reasons, they may be underprepared:

1) Any student who has moved or is starting at a new campus in the fall should contact your school for a tour of the building.

Many students move during the summer. In addition, large groups of students are transitioning to the next level in their academic careers (rising kindergartners, new middle schoolers or new freshmen, and any student new to a school or district). Ask your child if he/she/they feel comfortable navigating their school. If not, consider scheduling a tour after hours to ease their mind and make them feel more secure about a new beginning. 

Additionally, you can request to meet with office staff, who can help parents and caregivers  familiarize themselves with the people who will be at their school day-to-day. 

2) Any student who needs a little support as they start off the school year should connect with a school counselor.

School counselors help students focus on academic, career and social-emotional development to maximize students’ academic success. Counselors can help students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to become healthy, competent and confident learners who grow to be college and career ready.

Some of the many areas in which counselors can assist:

• Study and test-taking skills;
• Goal-setting and decision making;
• Peer relationships;
• Coping strategies;
• Social skills;
• Education on an understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses;
• Transition plans;
• Crisis intervention; and
• Conflict resolution.

Expand this story to read the third back-to-school tip!

Connect with a Family Resource Youth Service Center Coordinator (FRYSC)

For families who are seeking a little extra support with transition periods or who want to boost academic success, Family Resource Youth Service Center Coordinators (FRYSC) are here to help.

These coordinators help remove non-academic barriers to learning in order to enhance academic success for students in elementary through high school. FRYSCs have established a record of success based on improved student performance in classwork, homework and peer relations, as reported by teachers.

To learn more about the role of a FRYSC and how to get in touch with coordinators in your area, expand this story below.

Get Involved with DEIB Future Dates and Future Activities KDE’s DEIB Team is coming to a town near you this school year (hopefully) and we are always willing to support our schools and districts! We hope you’ve signed up for the Equity Playbook and you are excited for our launch in the fall!  Also, reach out to our DEIB Team on Twitter to learn more about how you can get involved with our work! Thomas Tucker @ttucker1914 Damien Sweeney @DamienSweeney33 Florence Chang @fcchang12 Nicole Fields @DrFields2020 Heather Bushelman @HBushelman Thank you for being an active supporter of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in Kentucky.   Until next time,  KDE’s DEIB Team