Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1487796
O A K G R O V E S C H O O L D I S T R I C T is becoming a safer place because of the work of educators and elected l e a d e r s t o c re a t e a m o re e q u i t a b l e a n d i n c l u siv e school community. In May, the Oak Grove school board adopted a reso- lution to proclaim loudly that Oak Grove sees, supports and embraces students, educators and staff who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. The resolution, "Supporting the Rights, Freedoms and Equality of ose who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer," was crafted by a team of Oak Grove educators and school board members to ensure all students, educators and staff feel safe, secure and supported in Oak Grove. " We have a responsibility as educators to move the needle and make a positive impact for our students," says Maripaz Berlin, Oak Grove Educators Association (OGEA) president. "How can we leave a space better than we found it?" e effort started in 2021 when OGEA worked to bring an LGBTQ+ awareness training for all staff to the school district, utilizing contacts from CTA's Santa Clara Service Center. OGEA sent a letter to the district superintendent formally requesting the training. "It is time that we provide all staff with the training and educational workshopping to advance the under- standing and acceptance of our LGBTQ+ community and the issues they face," the letter stated. "Educating our staff on these issues will send a clear message to our Oak Grove community that we support and stand by our LGBTQ+ students and staff. It will allow us to celebrate our diversity, ensure the protection and promotion of our LGBTQ+ community, and create an environment of acceptance, inclusion and ultimately a safe space for all." Berlin says conversations about how to better support LGBTQ+ students and educators led to the creation of a workgroup of OGEA Equity & Human Rights Committee Where Everyone Belongs Building Schools Oak Grove educators help craft LGBTQ+ resolution for school district By Julian Peeples Oak Grove School District raised the Progress Pride Flag in front of the district office after the Oak Grove School Board adopted a LGBTQ+ resolution in Spring. 42 cta.org Social Justice