CommunIDEE

CommunIDEE, a community dedicated to Inclusive, Diversity and Equity in Education came together through the overwhelmingly positive community response to the annual Intercultural Dinner and Talent Show, which highlighted and celebrated one aspect of Avoca’s diversity. This joint group of parents, teachers, administrators, Board of Education members are like-minded in their efforts to leverage the district’s "diversity." This group explores the various dimensions of diversity and establish programs that support and promote an inclusive and equitable community in which all individuals can participate in and contribute to the life of the school.

Avoca School District 37 is by far the most diverse of the New Trier High School sender districts when it comes to race, nationality/languages spoken, and income. This committee recognizes that these are not the only types of diversity underrepresented in society and Avoca. CommunIDEE founders believe that Avoca’s diversity is a strength to be celebrated and optimized for the greater good of all Avoca community members.

The core principles upon which the group is founded are as follows:

• We believe that students/everyone benefit(s) when they feel welcomed and included in their (school) community.

• We believe that all students benefit by learning about and understanding the differences and similarities among people.

• We believe that students develop a greater sense of understanding and empathy by learning from a variety of perspectives.

As much as the steering committee values diversity, we felt that it was also essential to explicitly state our commitment to inclusivity; thus, CommunIDEE.

In order to bring greater visibility and support to the group, the steering committee would like for CommunIDEE to exist under the PTC umbrella. CommunIDEE is comprised of open-minded people who will further develop the subcommittee’s mission, vision and beliefs, and facilitate activities to further this cause. Interested in learning more about CommunIDEE? Contact Ami Das (amidesai1976@yahoo.com) or Dorothy Eflring (ddelfring@gmail.com).