Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)
Through authentic learning opportunities, Mason Public Schools is committed to an inclusive environment. Our students, staff, and community respectfully acknowledge and value the diverse cultures, lifestyles, experiences, perspectives, and identities of each other.
Inclusion Everyday!
This school year, Mason Public Schools is happy to launch a new effort called Inclusion Everyday! This initiative is all about making sure every student and staff member feels included and valued in our district.
Each month, we will focus on a different topic related to inclusion. In September, we focused on Respect, and for October, we are focusing on Belonging. Throughout this month, teachers and staff will include lessons and activities that help everyone understand how important it is to feel like they belong in our school community. By doing this, we hope to create a strong sense of community where everyone feels connected.
We encourage parents and families to talk about respect and belonging at home, too. When we all work together, we can make Mason Public Schools a welcoming place for everyone.
Inclusion Week 2024
March 11-15, MPS hosted the first, district-wide Inclusion Week! During the week, students, staff, and even therapy dogs, Sully and Lewis, participated in learning opportunities, special events, activities and theme days throughout the week.
Themes of the week included self-acceptance, diversity, empathy, inclusion and belonging.
Inclusion Week was developed by the MPS Diversity Committee to build community and understanding for one another, our similarities and our differences.
We look forward to continuing our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our schools, classrooms, teams and organizations. Stay tuned for information and planning for Inclusion Week 2025!
District Equity Plan
The District's Equity Plan, developed in conjunction with the Diversity Committee and District Diversity Consultant, Dr. Karlin Tichenor, serves as a guideline for the District's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. It will be one of the foundations for developing the District's updated Strategic Plan.
DEI Professional Development & Educator Resources
Diversity Committee Members
DEIB Committee Membership
Dr. Gary Kinzer - Committee Administrator
Dr. Karlin Tichenor - Diversity Consultant
Members: Dr. Gary Kinzer, Randy Barton, Rick Brooks, Ted Berryhill, Dr. Janet Alleman, Dr. Amy Lark, Krista Sherman, Ethan Felsing, Erinna Toodzio, Kimberly Clark, Dr. Julie Grech Kramer, Holly Dornbush, Riley Ngubeni, Ethan McCallum, Rachel Foster, Summer Issawi, Courtney Miller, Angie Moore, Emma Howland, Mary Hilker-Loch, Melissa Netzel, Myriah Lillie and Shana Barnum
Email Communication
Individuals interested in contacting the DEIB Committee may send communication to diversity@masonk12.net
Diversity Committee Mission, Subcommittees and Goals
Mission Statement
Through authentic learning opportunities, Mason Public Schools is committed to an inclusive environment. Our students, staff, and community respectfully acknowledge and value the diverse cultures, lifestyles, experiences, perspectives, and identities of each other.
Adopted: 3/11/2020
DEIB Strategic Plan
Committee Goals
Goal 1: Create
Create a climate, culture, and learning environment reflective of a commitment to values related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Goat 2: Increase
Increase readiness and implementation of initiatives focused on the representation of diverse perspectives for students, staff, and stakeholders
Goal 3: Improve
Improve conditions for culturally responsive teaching, learning, and student experiences
Goal 4: Invest
Invest in sustainable and scalable DEI engagement by improving institutional practices across all stakeholder roles and responsibilities
Goal 5: Growth
Increase equitable social-emotional and educational outcomes for all students
Committee Norms
DEIB Subcommittees
- Community Involvement
- District Procedures
- Instructional Practices and Resources
- Student Experience
- Membership
Diversity Committee Meeting Schedule & Minutes
The Diversity Committee will meet in person at Mason City Hall. Meetings are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public are welcome to observe.
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
November - No Meeting, Election Day
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Past DEI Communications to Families
Update on Diversity Committee Efforts
July 13, 2021
As a school district, Mason Public Schools places strong importance on creating welcoming conditions for teaching and learning for all students and staff, which is inclusive of a respect for backgrounds, identities, and experiences. This year, the Diversity Committee has established a solid foundation for the work of the District including developing a committee mission, goals, norms as well as the 2020-22 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Implementation Plan. This plan illustrates our focus and commitment to developing an inclusive community where everyone feels safe and supported. Please find those resources on the Diversity Committee page of the District’s website.
Subcommittee work will continue throughout July and August to keep moving forward during the summer months. The full Diversity Committee will resume regular meetings near the start of the 2021-22 school year.
The Diversity Committee is currently following the steps outlined in the DEI Implementation Plan to:
- Increase educator and leadership knowledge, readiness and commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion.
- Establish goals and objectives to support the District’s Strategic Plan.
- Improve instructional strategies for educator and student learning on issues of diversity, equity & inclusion.
- Align systems to address issues of equity District-wide.
Diversity Committee Mission
Through authentic learning opportunities, Mason Public Schools is committed to an inclusive environment. Our students, staff, and community respectfully acknowledge and value the diverse cultures, lifestyles, experiences, perspectives, and identities of each other.
Diversity Committee Goals
- Create a climate, culture, and learning environment reflective of a commitment to values related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Increase readiness and implementation of initiatives focused on the representation of diverse perspectives for students, staff, and stakeholders.
- Improve conditions for culturally responsive teaching, learning, and student experiences.
- Invest in sustainable and scalable DEI engagement by improving institutional practices across all stakeholder roles and responsibilities.
- Increase equitable social-emotional and educational outcomes for all students.
MPS is eager to continue the work of focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion and look forward to your support as we grow an environment where our students, staff and community respectfully acknowledge, understand and value the diverse cultures, lifestyles, experiences, perspectives and identities of each other with a commitment to anti-discrimination and anti-racism.
Thank you for your continued support of our diversity efforts at Mason Public Schools.
District Statement to Community
April 21, 2021
It was announced yesterday that Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd. His death was horrible and the circumstances around his death as well as others have continued to spark civil unrest across the country and within our state and community.
Our District is home to 3,200 students and 500 employees. We must remember that a school can be a second home for students to process current events as they happen. It is a place where students can talk to their peers, their teachers and their counselors to try and make sense of the world around them. We need to come together and support each other and our young people during this time.
Our goal at Mason Public Schools is to create an equitable and inclusive environment for all. Over the past several years, we have used our core values to hold ourselves accountable for our behaviors with one another and to define how we connect and treat each other. Our core values of compassion, integrity and respect guide us as we process what is happening across our nation and community.
It is important that we continue our diversity, equity and inclusion work and celebrate our differences. We expect that through these efforts, Mason Public Schools will continue to examine all aspects of the student experience and support safe spaces for our students and staff. We as a nation and community must move forward with positive and intentional actions to address systemic inequities, respectfully acknowledge and value the diverse cultures, lifestyles, experiences and perspectives, and identities of each other.
-Mason Public Schools
MPS Works with Diversity Consultant to Explore Equity and Inclusion
August 5, 2020
Maya Angelou said, “in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” Last fall, Mason Public Schools (MPS) created a committee consisting of teachers, students and community members to examine the District’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to diversity and inclusion. This spring, the committee made a recommendation to the Superintendent to hire a professional consultant that would guide the direction of the team as well as support the District’s Strategic Plan. Through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, MPS has hired Dr. Karlin J. Tichenor of Karlin J & Associates, LLC to support its diversity and inclusion work.
Dr. Tichenor received his Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialization in Couple and Family Therapy from Michigan State University. Locally, he worked in the Lansing School District as the Executive Director and Associate Superintendent of School Culture, an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, and an Adjunct Professor at Siena Heights University. Additionally, he has been the Director of Academic Intergenerationally Mentoring Program (AIM High) through the City of Lansing and the Department of University Outreach and Engagement at Michigan State University. Dr. Tichenor is currently the Director of Social Emotional Health at the Indiana Youth Institute and the Co-Founder and Senior Partner of Family Links, LLC.
With his support, MPS will establish goals, an action plan and strategic plan alignment to provide learning opportunities for the diversity committee, the District and community as a whole. MPS will focus on supporting families, programs and departments through this work.
“Mason Public Schools is committed to promoting diversity in all forms. Ensuring those from different backgrounds are represented and welcomed in our schools is important to our culture,” said Ronald Drzewicki, Ed.S., Superintendent, Mason Public Schools. “We are eager to work with Dr. Tichenor and learn more about ourselves and how we can expand our inclusion efforts and work collaboratively with those of all backgrounds to enhance our learning environment.”
We are in this Together
June 1, 2020
Dear Mason Public Schools Family,
The events including the death of George Floyd and the destruction across the country are devastating. The grief and pain are real for so many. And for the children of our community this is yet another event that can add to the already confusing and frustrating world they have had to endure over the past several months.
Our goal at Mason Public Schools is to create an environment of inclusion for all. Over the past several years, we have used our core values to define the way we connect with one another, treat each other and make ourselves accountable for our behavior with one another. Our core values of compassion and integrity can guide us as we process what is happening across our nation.
We should remember that school is more than just a textbook or online learning environment for students. It is also a place for students to process current events as they happen. A place where they can talk to their peers, their teachers and their counselors to try and make sense of the world around them. Unfortunately, we are in an environment which makes it more challenging than normal for us to work through this tragedy together.
We need to do all we can to support harmony and togetherness in our schools. Our Diversity Committee meets this Wednesday and we will discuss the current circumstances in our country and the impact it has on our students, families and our community. We want to empower this group and our families and staff as we move forward to be stronger, smarter, and safer together.
Kurt Creamer
Board President
Ronald Drzewicki, Ed.S.
Superintendent
Board of Education Resolution
Adopted on August 9, 2021
Mason Public Schools is committed to an inclusive and equitable environment where our staff, students, and parents/guardians respectfully acknowledge and value the diverse cultures, lifestyles, experiences, perspectives, and identities of each other.
WHEREAS, we stand against any language, behavior, policies, or practices that are derogatory, inflammatory, or otherwise inappropriate, that may impact the physical, emotional, and psychological safety of others. In instances where this expectation is violated, we will work to respond, to educate, and to hold ourselves accountable for the school community we want in Mason Public Schools;
WHEREAS, we recognize the value of understanding and appreciating diversity within our school community and broader society as enriching to learning, growing, and global citizenship;
WHEREAS, we are committed to investment, proactive efforts, training, and focus to provide equitable opportunities, resources and supports to all students and staff;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mason Public Schools Board of Education condemns discrimination, harassment, and racism and stands behind our staff, administration, and the efforts of the Diversity Committee as we work to foster an inclusive educational environment where every student, staff member, parent/guardian, and community member is treated with dignity and respect.
