Envision Equity August 2018

J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y P U B L I C S C H O O L S 

NVISION EQUITY 

D I V E R S I T Y , E Q U I T Y , A N D P O V E R T Y 

AUGUST 2018 | ISSUE 52 

STEAM 

Science, Technology, 

Engineering, and Math Camp 

Keeps Students Engaged over 

the Summer. 

Girls Leadership Academy 

Olmsted Academy South 

Camp Teaches Young Ladies 

Entrepreneurship. 

Racial Equity Policy 

Community Meeting Keeps 

Stakeholders Informed. 

AND MORE! 

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STEAM 

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Camp Keeps Students Engaged Over the Summer 

By Latonya Frazier, W.E.B. DuBois Academy Assistant Principal and 

Angela French-Coles, Retired JCPS Administrator 

In August 2017, a select number of 

teachers—who had been identified 

based on their Excellence GAP data— 

embarked on this gifted endorsement 

journey. The gifted endorsement cohort 

was a collaborative effort with the 

district’s Advance Program Office and 

the Diversity, Equity, and Poverty 

Programs Division. The cohort was 

established to find ways to retain a 

diverse Advance Program/Gifted 

population in our schools with large 

Excellence Gaps. The Excellence Gap, as 

defined by Dr. Jonathan Plucker, is the 

gaps that exist among subgroups of 

students performing at the highest 

levels of achievement. Teachers were 

led by University of Louisville instructor 

Dr. Chin Wen Lee and participated in a 

four-course cohort, where they 

discussed ways to identify, nurture, and 

Continue on next page 

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Photo, Abdul Sharif

etain a diverse 

Advance/Gifted 

Education 

population. The 

culmination of these 

courses resulted in a 

two-week experience, 

known as STEAM DEP 

Camp. 

There were 57 fourth- 

and fifth grade 

students from various 

elementary schools 

accepted and 

enrolled in this invitation-based program. Gifted Endorsement Candidate teachers designed 

a variety of courses and allowed students’ voice and choice in selection of their classes. 

Classes were designed to expose students to real-life problems in Jefferson County that 

centered on STEAM and social justice aspects. To reinforce these concepts, guest speakers 

provided expert advice as students began to develop their projects to solve real-life 

concerns that plague their community. 

In an effort to prepare these students for college and career, the camp involved mentoring 

from University of Louisville students who shared ways that campers can begin to visualize 

and prepare for the college experience. The culminating activity was a showcase for parents 

and community members. Students’ projects were on display, and they shared with the 

audience their acquired knowledge and solutions developed for their project-based learning 

experience. 

Above, Dr. John D. Marshall poses with STEAM teachers, students and 

retired Administrator Dr. Angela French-Coles, far right. 

In conclusion, several students interviewed exclaimed that this camp experience was a 

great experience. Many were overheard saying they wished this camp was longer. We 

congratulate the teachers, university staff, and retired administrator Angela French-Coles 

for their leadership and guidance during this camp experience. 

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JCPS RACIAL 

EQUITY POLICY 

COMMUNITY 

MEETING 

Keeping the Community Informed 

By Abdul Sharif, Generalist—Diversity, Equity, 

and Poverty Programs 

More than 100 community members gathered at Central 

High School Magnet Career Academy (MCA) on July 19 to 

learn about the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) 

Racial Equity Policy and how it will be implemented 

during the upcoming school year. The purpose of the 

community meeting was to review the Racial Equity 

Policy, share the Racial Equity Policy systemwide plan, 

and share plans developed by Central Office to 

implement the strategies in the systemwide plan. 

Dr. Krista Drescher-Burke, the community data specialist 

in Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Programs (DEP), 

presented JCPS data to show why the Racial Equity 

Policy is so drastically needed. During her presentation, 

Dr. Drescher-Burke stated that “Poverty is not the 

primary barrier to academic achievement” in JCPS. Dr. 

Drescher-Burke went on to analyze district data that 

show that race is the main barrier to academic 

achievement in JCPS. 

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Above, Dr. John D. Marshall presents at the JCPS Racial Equity Policy 

community meeting at Central High School. 

following: 

JCPS Chief Equity 

Officer John 

Marshall gave a 

presentation on 

how the process of 

creating the Racial 

Equity Policy 

began and how the 

policy will be 

implemented in 

JCPS. Dr. 

Marshall’s key 

points about the 

policy’s evolution 

included the 

• Widening Achievement Gap—Students of color are falling further behind in achievement. 

• Belonging—Girls of color have the lowest sense of belonging in the district. 

• Disproportionality—Students of color are disproportionately suspended as well as 

disproportionately represented in referrals to opportunity programs, such as Gifted and 

Talented, International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual credit courses. 

• Demographic Shifts—White students are no longer the majority in JCPS; between 51 and 54 

percent of the students in JCPS are of color. 

In addition to hearing firsthand from district leadership, community members were also able to 

participate in a question and answer session. Representatives from JCPS Human Resources and 

Student Assignment were also in attendance to provide information to families about job 

opportunities and to answer questions about the upcoming school year. 

The Jefferson County Board of Education unanimously passed the historic Racial Equity Policy earlier 

this year. The new policy calls for developing a plan to hold schools and the superintendent 

accountable for closing the achievement gap, increasing the diversity of school and district staff, and 

ensuring that minority students have equal educational opportunities. 

July’s Racial Equity Policy meeting is one of several that will be taking place over the next few 

months. This month’s Racial Equity Policy meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 6, 2018, and will 

take place at Maupin Elementary School from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, but 

you are encouraged to register by visiting http://bit.ly/jcpsrep2, by calling 485-3799, or by emailing 

geneva.stark@jefferson.kyschools.us. 

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Above, Dr. Geneva A. Stark, presents key points of the 

JCPS Racial Equity Policy to JCPS Assistant Principals. 

Racial Equity Policy 

Presented at the JCPS Assistant Principals Meeting 

By Dr. Geneva A. Stark—Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Programs 

D 

Photo provided by Vanessa Posey 

r. Geneva A. Stark along with 

Delquan Dorsey, and Dr. Monica 

Lakhwani presented the Racial 

Equity and Cultural Proficiency Framework 

to Jefferson County Assistant Principals on 

Thursday, July 19, 2018 at Southern High 

School. 

Dr. Stark reiterated to Assistant Principals 

that Jefferson County Board of Education 

passed the Racial Equity Policy in May. The 

unanimous passage means that JCPS is 

committed to doing a better job of 

educating African-American students. JCPS 

student population is approximately 53% 

students of color. Superintendent Pollio 

has stressed that we can no longer 

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continue do what we have always done 

and expect a different result. The data is 

clear, the achievement and opportunity 

gap for African-American students has 

widen over the last 10 years. 

Superintendent Pollio stated “Don’t just 

change the data, we have to change the 

practice. If each school emphasize these 3 

things: 1) Backpack of Success Skills, 2) 

Racial Equity Plan and 3) Culture and 

Climate, they will have a successful school 

Assistant Principals will be charged with 

assisting principals and staff with 

designing a racial equity plan for their 

school. Schools will have to review and 

understand the culture and climate of 

their buildings and come up with a Racial 

Equity plan to address it. The first step in 

this process is having “Courageous 

Conversation” with students, teachers, 

parents and the community. Educators, 

School Districts and Educational 

Institutions are expected to be the model 

for dealing with differences. JCPS has 

committed to do doing a better job. 

Dr. Stark emphasized that many students 

of color have faced tremendous challenges 

this summer because of the experiences 

and visual images that have been 

televised: police calls on African-American 

people repeatedly because of their skin 

color (8 year old girl selling water, college 

student falling asleep in common area, 12 

year old boy for cutting grass), 

immigration (children separated from 

their families) and the rise in hate crimes 

(female harassed for wearing a shirt with a 

Puerto flag). We as educators have to 

deescalate our student’s fears and 

demonstrate to them every day that JCPS 

schools is a safe place for them. 

Dr. Stark asked Assistant Principals to 

reflect on why they chose education as a 

career as they embark upon the 2018-19 

school year. The responses that most 

people recite when asked this question 

was: to make a difference in the lives of 

young people, to make an impact, to help 

students overcome obstacles, passionate 

about education, love children and 

education. No one stated that this passion 

was based on race, zip code or economic 

status. She emphasized that JCPS is 

counting on them as school leaders to be 

actively engaged in this transformation 

shift and know that they are not walking 

this journey alone. Dr. Pollio, the chiefs 

and central office administrators are 

committed to the Racial Equity Plan. 

Change is difficult—however—Together 

Everyone Achieves More (TEAM)! 

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GIRLS 

LEADERSHIP 

ACADEMY 

Summer Camp Teaches Young Ladies 

Entrepreneurship 

By Abdul Sharif, Generalist—Diversity, Equity, and Poverty 

Programs 

This summer, a group of 20 young ladies had the 

experience of a lifetime at the Girl Leadership 

Academy (GLA) summer camp. The GLA was held 

June 18 through June 29 at Olmsted Academy 

South (OAS), where OAS Goal Clarity Coach Monica 

Hunter taught the GLA curriculum. 

During the two-week camp, students were able to 

visit local businesses to experience firsthand the 

life of an entrepreneur. Camp attendees 

participated in daily workshops on literacy, 

entrepreneurship, team building, and marketing. 

Girls also received dance and fitness lessons taught 

by local personal trainer Konika Dillingham of N- 

Spire Fitness. 

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On the last day of 

the camp, the 

girls worked in 

teams to present 

their very own 

marketing plans 

to a group of 

local female 

entrepreneurs. 

Each group of 

students 

designed their 

own website, 

budget proposal, 

and mock-up 

designs, and they were tasked with pitching their business ideas to the panel, Shark-Tank style. 

Kudos to all of the young ladies who attended this year’s Girls Leadership Academy summer 

camp! 

To learn more about the Girls Leadership Academy summer camp, please contact Vanessa Posey 

at 485-3631 or email vanessa.posey@jefferson.kyschools.us. 

9

A VISIT TO THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL FOR 

PEACE AND JUSTICE AND LEGACY MUSEUM 

By Amber G. Duke, ACLU of Kentucky Communications Director 

“The way to rights wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” –Ida B. Wells 

This spring, staff and board 

members of the ACLU of 

Kentucky took a road trip 

south to Montgomery, Alabama 

for the opening of the Equal 

Justice Initiative’s National 

Memorial for Peace and Justice 

and The Legacy Museum. As an 

organization dedicated to 

protecting and expanding civil 

rights and civil liberties, we 

know that understanding the 

history of our county and our 

commonwealth is essential if 

we are truly committed to 

justice. The Memorial and 

Museum bring attention to the 

disturbing chapter of racial 

terror lynchings and their reverberations today. Unfortunately, Kentucky figures prominently in this 

history. 

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice sits atop a hill overlooking the city of Montgomery. The 

Memorial bears the names of more than 4,400 African Americans that were lynched in the United 

States. The Memorial consists of more than 800 steel pillars that are etched with the names of the 

counties where the lynchings occurred, and when known, the names of the lynching victims and the 

dates that they died. The Memorial includes the names of at least 186 African Americans that were 

lynched in Kentucky between 1877 and 1934. Among the dead remembered, Caleb Gadley of Bowling 

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Green, Kentucky, who was 

lynched in 1894 for walking 

behind the wife of his white 

employer. Also highlighted 

was David Walker, his wife, 

and their four children who 

were lynched in Hickman, 

Kentucky in 1908 after Mr. 

Walker was accused of using 

inappropriate language with 

a white woman. 

The scale of the Memorial and 

the number of names alone is 

overwhelming and moving, 

but the physical experience of 

walking through the Memorial 

is stirring. When you enter 

the Memorial, you are walking amongst the monuments. As you move through, the floor descends 

and the monuments start to lift higher and higher, until they are above your head and must strain 

your neck (like the crowds of whites that would attend and watch these macabre scenes) to look at 

them hanging above-head. A unique feature of the Memorial is the garden outside of the Memorial, 

which contains a copy of each monument included in the Memorial, laid flat so that you can view the 

counties and names. These monuments are meant to be claimed by the named county and erected 

in a public space of prominence to memorialize the victims. 

The Legacy Museum traces the history of chattel slavery through its evolution into the mass 

incarceration of people of color that we see today. One of the pieces of local interest in the Museum 

is an excerpt from an 1846 advertisement a woman, Matilda Harrison, of Jeffersontown, Kentucky 

placed in a newspaper trying to find her mother who had been sold during slavery to a plantation in 

New Orleans. 

Our organization’s experience at the openings of these important cultural institutions has inspired us 

to share what we’ve learned with our members and supporters, as well as the broader community. 

As we travel the commonwealth in our work, we are lifting up the history of racial terror lynchings 

and encouraging communities to claim their memorials. If you have the opportunity to travel to 

Montgomery to experience the Museum and Memorial yourself or to take your students, you must 

take it. As difficult as it is to grapple with our history, it is essential to those of us that endeavor to 

work toward a more just and peaceful future. 

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ENVISION EQUITY AUGUST 2018 

The Quilts of Gee's Bend 

by Susan Goldman Rubin 

Harry N. Abrams (June 13, 2017) 

Grade Level: 3 rd through 7 th 

Books for Young Readers 

Speak: The Graphic Novel 

by Laurie Halse Anderson (Author), Emily Carroll (Illustrator) 

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 2 edition (February 6, 2018) 

Grade Level: 7 th -12 th 

This book would be wonderful for classroom (and family!) 

discussions of African American art in the United States, quilting, 

life in early emancipated towns in the South and Gee’s Bend 

importance in the Civil Rights movement. The photographs of 

the quilts and stories of these women are compelling and 

inspiring. The book also includes how to make a quilt square. 

The modern teen classic Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson has 

been translated and illustrated as a graphic novel. Carroll 

masterfully illustrates the sorrow and grief main character 

Melinda experiences as she begins her first day as a freshman in 

high school and the school pariah. Melinda involved the police in 

an end of summer party and her friends and peers will not 

forgive her, although they are unaware of why she called the 

police. With no one to tell her secrets to Melinda falls into a deep 

depression. That is, until her art teacher reaches out to her and 

she discovers a medium to release her pain. This book is an 

incredibly commanding and powerful rendition of Anderson’s 

work and highly recommended for all teens. 

Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix 

by Jacqueline Briggs Martin 

Readers to Eaters (April 4, 2017) 

Grade Level: Kindergarten – 4 th 

A vibrant biography for young children about Korean-American 

Chef Roy Choi and his goal to bring fresh, innovative and 

awesome food to the neighborhoods of Los Angeles. The 

brilliant colors capture the speed of Choi working on his food 

truck and the flavors of the street food. It’s colorful, spicy, and 

tangy just like Choi’s food and if you aren’t hungry when you 

start it you will be when you finish! 

Information provided by Heather Lee, Louisville Free Public Library. 

Images obtained from Google Images. 

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August 25, 2018 

10am-7pm at Joe Creason Park 

1297 Trevilian Way (Across from the Louisville Zoo) 

Join us for the African Heritage Family Reunion on Saturday, August 25th from 10am - 7pm. 

We'll have most of the traditional activities of the annual African Heritage Festival, but the event will 

be scaled back in size since we're doing it family reunion style! We'll have the soccer tournament all 

day, free lunch with food from across the African Diaspora, music, games, vendors (spaces are 

limited, and no food vendors this year), how-to sessions and more! Special guests will be ancestry 

company 23andMe. Much more information to come. 

In 2019 we plan to be back to the full-scale festival at a new location! 

For more information and to be a vendor or volunteer, please visit bridge-kids.org. 

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Diversity, Equity, and Poverty 

. 

DATES MWBE WORKSHIOP TOPICS TIME LOCATION 

July 11, 2018 

Pursuing Contracts With 

Jefferson County Public 

Schools (JCPS) 

–Bidding or proposing on a contract with 

JCPS 

–Current procurement opportunities 

–Overview of JCPS procurement and 

contracting opportunities 

1–3 p.m. VanHoose Education Center, First 

Floor Conference Room 

August 14, 2018 MWBE Certifications –Types of certifications 

–How to become certified 

–Benefits of being certified 

October 9, 2018 MWBE Growth Map –Strategic planning: value and 

implementation 

–Optimizing teaming, joint ventures, and 

strategic alliance 

10 a.m.–12 noon NIA Center 

1–3 p.m. C. B. Young Jr. Service Center 

November 13, 2018 

Understanding Change 

Orders and Vendor 

Paperwork 

–Vendor registration 

–Accurate preparation of invoices and 

documentation 

–Ways to avoid payment delay 

10 a.m.–12 noon NIA Center 

For more information, please contact Christopher Wood at 485-3620 or email 

christopher.wood@jefferson.kyschools.us 



Community Announcements 

Global Citizenship Certificate Program 

Applications Open 

GCCP is a rigorous educational program to 

recognize high school students who have 

demonstrated a dedication to expanding their 

global perspectives with international 

experiences. Students lead their own path 

through the structured framework of the 

program completing its requirements at their 

own pace over 2–4 years. The program 

provides exposure to a variety of cultures and 

helps students develop the communication 

and critical thinking skills necessary for work 

and study in a global society. 

Student Applications for GCCP close during 

the fall semester. 

More information and instructions for 

application can be found at https:// 

www.worldkentucky.org/certificate/. 

World Affairs Council Seeking Host 

Families for Iraqi Youth Exchange 

The Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program 

(IYLEP) brings Iraqi secondary students aged 

15–17 to the US each summer. Here, the 

students learn about civil rights, civic 

leadership, community engagement, and 

respect for diversity. The World Affairs 

Council, who operates the exchange, is 

looking for host families to house students 

from August 5–19. This program is a 

wonderful way to spread culture and help 

dispel the mutual stereotypes of Americans 

and Iraqis. Those interested should contact 

laura.duncan@worldkentucky.org. 

More information can be found at https:// 

www.worldkentucky.org/get-involved/ 

volunteer/. 

Citizenship Class 

Thursday, August 02, 2018 

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

Iroquois Library, 601 W. Woodlawn 

Bring your Green Card and state ID to enroll. 

Students should have at least a basic level of 

English comprehension and conversation, as 

classes are taught in English. Instruction is 

provided by Kentucky Refugee Ministries. 

Please contact Rachel Droste 

(rdroste@kyrm.org) for more information 

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Announcing... 

"The Model" 

Starting in the September edition of 

Envision Equity, we will highlight sample 

lesson plans and videos of Jefferson 

County Public Schools (JCPS) classroom 

teachers who are culturally responsive and 

innovative. This new section of Envision 

Equity will be called “The Model.” 

If you are a JCPS teacher or know of a 

JCPS teacher who should be highlighted as 

a model of culturally responsive and 

innovative classroom practices, please 

submit his or her contact information to 

abdul.sharif2@jefferson.kyschool.us by 

the 15th of each month. 

Editor—Catherine Collesano 

Editor, Photo Contributor—Abdul Sharif 

Credits 

Special thanks to all of our community partners and educators who helped make this special edition of 

Envision Equity possible. 

Envision Equity is a publication of the JCPS Department of Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Programs. All 

submissions should be sent to Catherine Collesano at catherine.collesano@jefferson.kyschools.us or Abdul 

Sharif at abdul.sharif2@jefferson.kyschools.us. If you are interested in becoming a subscriber or a 

contributor to Envision Equity, please contact one of the editors at the above email address. 

www.jefferson.kyschools.us 

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Offering Equal Educational Opportunities 

18

Envision Equity August 2018

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