Conversations about Culture: What is your story?  What is OUR story?

January 26^th at 9:30-11:00, on the school stage. Principal Mellish will host a ‘coffee talk’ style conversation about Culture, Diversity and Inclusion at Newcastle Elementary and our School District as a whole. 

Why?  Our school and district is committed to promoting a school climate where ALL children and families are effectively included as partners in learning. Our school and district is becoming increasingly diverse in nearly every imaginable way including race, culture, language, religion and family make-up.  To build our skills in engaging across differences and to grow more inclusive as a community we invite you into a conversation about our stories, experiences and hopes.

What will be discussed? Mr. Mellish will facilitate the conversation.  This first conversation will be part of a series that will include questions such as…

• What backgrounds are represented in our school?
• How did we, the adults, experience school as a child and how is that similar or different to the vision we have for Newcastle?
• What about Newcastle has been welcoming and inclusive?
• What school practices present barriers or challenges?
• What positive experiences do we have around cross-cultural interactions?
• What do we perceive as less inviting or less tolerant of differences?

Additionally, Mr. Mellish share about the work Issaquah School District is doing to build our staff team’s understanding of inclusion, equity and cultural competency.

If this is a topic of interest, please join us on January 26^th!