(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
SHARE Tolerance Trailer makes stop at Canyon High School
During the week of February 22, over 500 ninth graders at Canyon High School learned about the societal consequences of hate speech and hate behavior, as they participated in a program developed by the LA County Sheriff's Dept. SHARE stands for "Stop Hating and Respect Everyone". Throughout the week, each hour, audiences of 24 students at a time sat together in a tricked out mobile theater to watch a film that explored several real life incidents of intolerance that have occurred in recent years in LA County, and including one incident that occurred in the Santa Clarita Valley. Following the viewing, the students met in discussion groups led by specially trained deputies. The students were asked to make honest assessments of their campus culture and to "step up" to ensure that their school and community will not become havens for intolerant behavior. Students described the experience as "eye-opening" and "startling", but also expressed relief that their school is a very welcoming and inclusive environment.
Season of Diversity Essay and Poster Contest
On February 26, the City of Santa Clarita honored the winners of its annual essay and poster contest. This year's theme was "How has someone from a different culture inspired you?" There were separate 1st through 4th place awards given for essay winners and for poster winners, and students were divided into grade level categories.
In the junior high category, students from Placerita JH captured two awards, including 1st place in essay. La Mesa JH students took 4 awards, including 1st place in poster. Rio Norte JH garnered two awards, and Sierra Vista JH picked up one award. In the high school division, West Ranch HS took first place in the essay portion and 3rd place in the poster competition. Golden Valley HScaptured 1st and 2nd place in poster. Hart HS gained two awards, while Saugus HS rounded out the winners with one award. Students received monetary prizes for their efforts. Before the awards were announced, the audience of over 100 students, parents, family and friends were treated to music selections performed by the Placerita/Hart Orchestra Ensemble, under the direction of Ms. Kathryn Spula, Chairperson of the Placerita Junior High School Music Department.
Season of Diversity
Each year, the City of Santa Clarita and the Hart District collaborate to host a series of events to promote cultural understanding in the Santa Clarita Valley. This year, two outstanding evening presentations were held on District campuses.
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".
On January 13, Rio Norte Junior High School hosted "Surviving the Unthinkable - The Holocaust. Elaine Geller was a four year-old living in Poland when the Nazis invaded her country. After a brutal six-year struggle to stay alive, Geller became one of the youngest survivors of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. More than 400 people were on hand at Rio Norte, as Ms. Geller shared her
memories of a lost childhood.
On January 26, Rancho Pico Junior High School hosted "Wheels", a humorous but thoughtprovoking play in which we follow Oscar, a Salvadoran-American teenager, as he tries to navigate the Department of Motor Vehicles to get his first driver's license. In this one man show, the actor portrays each of the dozen or so characters encountered by Oscar at the DMV. The message is one of responsible citizenship, and celebrates the strength of America as a multicultural society. The play challenges our perspectives on freedom, mobility, and the ultimate dream of being an American.
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.
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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