(661) 259-0033 x232
Mission Statement
The William S. Hart Union High School District will be a safe learning community, where students and staff create a culture of respect, based on equity and inclusion, and where differences are valued and are seen as an asset, not as a liability.
Welcome to the Hart District Diversity Web Page!
Ever since the Diversity Ad Hoc Committee began meeting in 2005, the need for stronger communications between various components of our community has been apparent. Students, staff, parents and also area residents who might not have children in our schools need to have a “go to” place where information and ideas about diversity-related activities in the Hart District can be found. We hope that this will become a site you visit regularly to find out about the great events and programs that have been implemented to meet our core mission to create a “culture of respect” in the Hart District.
Diversity News
Safe School Ambassadors are on the job!
October has been a busy month as students involved in the Safe School Ambassadors program complete two days of training that empower them to reduce incidents of mistreatment and promote positive intergroup relations on campus. The SSA program has been recognized as "exemplary" by the California School Boards Association, as part of the Hart District's overall effort to create an environment where students are valued and respected. Ambassadors are taught techniques to help prevent social exclusion, isolation, bullying, threats, physical conflict and property destruction. Students work within their own social network, where they have the most influence. If your child would like to become involved in Safe School Ambassadors, he or she should contact a school administrator. There are about 35 new ambassadors trained each school year, and they have played an important role in keeping Hart District discipline statistics so low.
Youth Summit Returns!
On October 21, 350 students from all six Hart District junior high schools and from Castaic Middle School will converge on the City of Santa Clarita's Activities Center for a day of social bridge-building activities and leadership training. Part of the ongoing collaboration between the City and the District, Youth Summit brings 50 students from each school together to increase positive relations among students across our valley. The annual theme for Youth Summit is "Respecting Ourselves Respecting Each Other", and this year the students will hear from Mr. Verne Johnson, an educator and developer of the "iWill" program, which promotes self-reliance and a bully-free environment. Leadership students from West Ranch High School will facilitate workshops that emphasize teamwork and inclusiveness.
It's the Season of Diversity!
Each year the City of Santa Clarita hosts a tremendous variety of events that celebrate the diversity of our community and also educate us about the world around us. The collective event is titled "A Season of Diversity" and activities take place at venues all around the Santa Clarita Valley, including several at Hart District schools. Past presentations have been made by the Tuskegee Airmen, Japanese American combat veterans of WWII, "Negro League" baseball legends, and Jewish Holocaust survivors. Performances have included dramatic plays, concerts and story tellers, and artists. For a complete schedule of Season of Diversity offerings, click "Season of Diversity Calendar  " in the box in the top left hand column of this page or go to the City of Santa Clarita website at http://www.santa-clarita.com  . In the search window, type in "human relations forum".
School Recognition
Each year, the Valuing Diversity Award is presented to a school that has demonstrated exemplary effort in promoting diversity awareness and appreciation among its staff and students. Click the "Valuing Diversity Award" link above to read about the current honoree and to see a list of past Valuing Diversity Award recipients.
District Recognition
For 2008, the California School Boards Association has presented the Golden Bell Award to the Hart District for its Diversity Initiative programs. Efforts in training, policies, student support, community involvement, and civic collaboration were highlighted in the award citation. Hart was one of only two districts to receive this State-wide honor in the category of school safety.
Greg Lee
Coordinator of Diversity
William S. Hart Union High School District
661-259-0033 x232
email:
"...because everyone matters at Hart."
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