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Dear OCSA Families, Faculty, and Staff,
With the fall semester well underway, we would like to take this opportunity to introduce OCSA’s Coalition for Antiracism & Inclusion to all of our new families and provide an update regarding the work that the Coalition will be engaged in throughout the 2023-2024 school year.
The Coalition for Antiracism & Inclusion, formed in the spring of 2020, is a group of stakeholders committed to ensuring a safe, just, and inclusive environment for student learning. To underscore this commitment, members of the Coalition seek to listen to the school’s diverse community members, partner with students and parents, educate themselves and the OCSA staff, and review current policies and procedures.
The infrastructure that was developed ensures that the work of the Coalition is sustainable and reflects a diverse group of voices representing the entire OCSA community. The Coalition includes:
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A Steering Committee of school administrators
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An Advisory Committee of students, parents, alumni, staff, and community representatives
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A Student Culture Executive Board of student leaders
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When needed, task forces to address specific initiatives, comprised of faculty, staff, students, parents, and community representatives
The world our students are preparing to live in is a diverse and often difficult place. OCSA, itself, is the 12th most diverse public school in Orange County. As our students navigate these hallways, they are learning how to navigate the wider world, which can sometimes be a challenging endeavor for people who feel that their identity doesn't belong to the dominant culture. In recent days, we have seen this dynamic as our school community continues to reckon with a global conflict that has taken the lives of civilians in both Israel and Palestine. The loss of innocent lives and the subsequent painful conversations have impacted our students and reminded us how important the work of our Coalition is.
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