1. Introduction

All of the public school systems in the Rochester Olmsted community should have completed state required diversity plans and placed them on file with the Minnesota Department of Children Families and Learning.

School districts should also provide staff development programming and resources to ensure that teachers and other staff members understand the value of integrating diversity education strategies into all aspects of K-12 curriculum.

As a suggestion for private school systems or for public school systems considering revisions, the 21st Century Partnership, in consultation with Diversity Council Education Committee and Rochester Public Schools offer the following curriculum suggestions intended to:

(1) Create a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students, and

(2) Support an environment that nurtures diversity and strives to eliminate name-calling, racism, gender bias and other forms of discrimination.

2. Elementary School

Actions/Strategies	Timeline	Persons Responsible	Resources Needed
Read books and stories depicting various cultures, men and women in a variety of roles, and people with mental and physical challenges in a variety of roles.	On-going	K-5 Staff and volunteers	School District & Community resources
Provide multiple experience creating an understanding of inter-generational experiences, and sharing of family traditions. For example, each student could present an interview held with a grandparent or older family friend.	Once per year	K-5 Staff and volunteers
Provide multiple experiences comparing and contrasting the culture and traditions of people of different countries around the worlds. For example, each student could complete an assessment showing understanding of the differences and similarities.
Establish family mentorship program by matching ESOL families with native speaking families.
Include diverse food choices on school lunch menu.
Set aside an area in each school library for a monthly display of diversity materials.

3. Middle School

	Timeline	Persons Responsible	Resources Needed
Assign books with authors, settings, themes and characters representing diverse cultures and ethnic groups.	On-going	Language Arts Department	School District & community resources
Social Studies department should provide experiences at all grade levels on cultural diversity, including cultural diversity in our communities.	Winter Trimester	Social Studies and language arts staff	School district & community resources
Provide story problems that include diversity themes.	On-going	Math department	School district & community resources
Provide opportunities for native speaking students to meet and get to know ESOL students better to eliminate name-calling and other forms of harassment	September	Staff
Demonstrate what it would be like to be in a situation where one does not know the language. Afterwards, process how the students fell about the experience.	Once a year	Staff
Introduce diverse performing groups and explore a variety of music from various cultures and religions.	On-going	Music Department	School district, PTSA & community resources
Encourage frequent discussions regarding racial issues and discrimination of all kinds.	On-going	Staff	School district & community resources
Provide lessons on social skills and self-awareness.	On-going	Staff
Enforce zero tolerance of discrimination incidents in school.	On-going	Staff	Appropriate consequences for both positive and negative behavior

4. High School

Program	Timeline	Responsible	Resources Needed
Enhance library/media collection to incorporate diverse literature and non-print media	On-going	Staff	Resources to purchase new materials
Increase availability of conflict managers.	On-going	Conflict Manager Coordinator and Administration	Time for coordinator to organize and facilitate conflict mediation and to train additional staff and students.
Continue to use bulletin boards to display multicultural ideas and themes.	On-going	Diversity Committees	School district & community resources
Increase involvement of minority parents through Minority Student Advocate	On-going	School administration and Minority Advocate	Salaries and benefits for minority student advocate position and activities
Increase minority student participation in school related activities and athletics through assistance with fees and equipment and through active recruitment.	On-going	Staff and students	Funds for fees and equipment; time for recruitment
Develop and understanding of diversity among students, based on respect, success, school pride, spirit, and traditions	On-going	Staff, students, and alumni	Money for fees supplies and materials.