Feb. 1, 2021 — Crestline Elementary Principal Christy Christian and MBS parent Dr. Al Cohn have served as co-facilitators of the MBS Diversity Committee since it first met in June 2020. At the Dec. 14 school board meeting, they presented the committee's recommendations for the school system to more effectively achieve the following strategic goal:

Develop or enhance structures and practices to ensure that the school district honors individual differences, diversity, and the dignity of all, and that all members of the school community are treated with respect.

The five recommendations are below.

1. Effectively develop diversity programming committees at each Mountain Brook School to develop programming that will enhance students’ experiences and opportunities to interact and partner with diverse communities and people.

2. Define hate speech and symbols as a separate actionable offense in the Mountain Brook Schools Code of Conduct.

3. Develop methods of communication with the broader Mountain Brook community about diversity opportunities and experiences to support students, families, and community members.

4. Develop partnerships with local and national organizations as a resource for professional learning, student training, and parent support, including the Anti-Defamation League, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center.

5. Exploration and development of authentic experiences through which schools experience positive interactions with more diverse communities in an effort to develop understanding, collaboration, and growth.

MBS is beginning to implement the committee's recommendations. Schools are in the process of forming their own diversity committees that will spearhead the initiatives on their campus.

This article appeared in the Feb. 1 Mountain Brook Board of Education Newsletter.