Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Emerson is committed to improving in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as a core component of our 2021-2026 Strategic Plan. 

Resources for Parents

• Conversaciones Familiares Referente a Inmigración

• Family Conversations about Immigration

• Family Conversations about Race

District Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee

Our district-level Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee consists of district and school administration, teachers, and parents.  We meet monthly to act as a learning community around DEI topics, share out the DEI work that is happening around the district, and share ideas, questions, and concerns to inform the work being done at the school level.  A key component of our work is to regularly reflect and compare our district against the Indicators of Educational Equity developed by the Great Schools Partnership.  If you are interested in joining the district-level Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee, please contact Alice Opperman (AOpperman@emersonschools.org, x2553) 

Emerson PTA Diversity, EQUITY, & InCLUSION COMMITTEE

The Emerson Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) aims to enrich the educational journey of every student in Emerson Elementary schools.  The PTA Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee meets regularly with the school and district administration to discuss how to best meet a broad range of needs across our student and parent communities. 

Professional Development

All teachers, counselors, and CST members participated in workshops during our November 5, 2024 Staff Inservice date hosted by the New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education.  Teacher professional learning groups (PLGs) are also being supported by consultants from We Need 2 Talk during the 2024-2025 school year.  Both groups are funded by the IDEA grant as part of our state-mandated work around disproportionality in special education classifications.

Curriculum Updates

We are working to continuously improve our compliance with the relevant NJ curriculum mandates as follows: 

Diversity and Inclusion Law: P.L. 2021 Ch 32: Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each school district shall incorporate instruction on diversity and inclusion in an appropriate place in1 the curriculum of students in grades  kindergarten through 12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The instruction shall highlight and promote diversity, including economic diversity, equity, inclusion, tolerance, and belonging in connection with gender and sexual orientation, race and ethnicity,, disabilities and religious tolerance; and examine the impact that unconscious bias and economic disparities have at both an individual level and on society as a whole; and encourage safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual and gender identities, mental and physical disabilities, and religious beliefs.

AAPI Mandate N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.44 a. A board of education shall include instruction on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the school district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies. b. A board of education shall have policies and procedures in place pertaining to the selection of instructional materials to implement the requirements of section a. of this section. When adopting instructional materials for use in the school district, a board of education shall adopt inclusive instructional materials that portray the cultural and economic diversity of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. c. A board of education shall seek the assistance and advice of the Commission on Asian Heritage established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2021, c.410 (C.18A:4-52) in fulfilling the requirements of this section. 

Amistad Law: N.J.S.A. 18A 52:16A-88 Every board of education shall incorporate the information regarding the contributions of African-Americans to our country in an appropriate place in the curriculum of elementary and secondary school students. 

Holocaust Law: N.J.S.A. 18A:35-28 Every board of education shall include instruction on the Holocaust and genocides in an appropriate place in the curriculum of all elementary and secondary school pupils. The instruction shall further emphasize the personal responsibility that each citizen bears to fight racism and hatred whenever and wherever it happens. 

LGBT and Disabilities Law: N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.35 A board of education shall include instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (N.J.S.A.18A:35-4.36) A board of education shall have policies and procedures in place pertaining to the selection of instructional materials to implement the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.35.