In the past year, the regional school district has introduced several new programs as part of its DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) Initiative aimed at enhancing anti-racism education.
The Initiative has established integrated reporting systems for incidents of bias and hate crimes and is focused on educating both students and staff about the importance of representation and inclusion.
Andrew Nyamekye, the district’s DEIB director, shared insights about the initiative in an interview, which has been condensed for clarity.
Nyamekye explained that the rollout of the new bias incident reporting system is set to formally engage the parent community, which has not yet been included in communications. He detailed how much preparation went into this initiative, which began three years ago when he was appointed director. In September, he presented to every department in the district, clarifying the reasons behind the new protocols and the related reporting forms. An assembly involving all students at Concord Middle School was held, during which he, along with student leaders and Principal Justin Cameron, discussed the bias response protocol.
Plans are in place to display large flyers with a QR code leading to the reporting form in every school and classroom. This will allow students, faculty, and other adults who have experienced bias or discrimination to formally report incidents, which go directly to school administration, including the principal and assistant principal. While procedures differ at the elementary level, teachers will have clear instructions on accessing the reporting form.
The school is also updating its website to include a dedicated bias reporting section under the DEIB page, featuring forms for each school.
When asked about hate-driven incidents reported over the past school year, Nyamekye indicated that data is still being compiled. A two-year racial equity audit conducted in 2022-23 revealed that 92 percent of parents felt comfortable reporting racial harassment or discrimination witnessed at their child’s school, while only 63 percent of teachers felt similarly about reporting such incidents they experienced. Alarmingly, 60 percent of middle and high school students of color and 64 percent of their white peers were unaware of a process for addressing these incidents.
In terms of staff training, all support staff participate in an implicit bias training program each summer. This includes various roles such as food services, bus drivers, and administrative assistants. Last summer marked the inaugural year for this training, with over 100 support staff attending.
Nyamekye emphasized that students also receive training on DEIB topics. At the high school level, a schoolwide DEIB assembly is held annually featuring a panel representing diverse backgrounds. In mid-November and early December, all ninth graders undergo implicit bias training, complemented by various initiatives throughout the year. The district has collaborated with the Celtics’ Shamrock Foundation for six years, implementing the Celtics Playbook Initiative—an anti-discrimination and anti-bullying training targeted at middle schoolers.
Nyamekye assured that inclusivity extends to LGBTQ+ students, with all identities represented intentionally. The high school hosts the Spectrum Club, celebrating 30 years of service, alongside the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) in middle school, both of which have faculty advisers who represent those identities authentically.