Planning Committee member - Next Steps Evanston

The Next Steps planning committee came together to address the role caregivers can play in closing the opportunity gap in our racially diverse schools. We began as a parent-led group with partnerships with Nichols’ and Nichols feeder schools’ school administration and staff. We have expanded this partnership with 16 of 18 District 65 schools, including Chute and its feeder schools, Haven and its feeder schools, King Arts, Bessie Rhodes, and Park.

Caregivers and staff can impact racialized gaps in opportunity and in discipline as well as promote antiracist environments in the schools. Through a focus on caregiver education and action, and open to all District 65 staff, our goal is to broaden participants’ understanding of racism; how it impacts children in our schools; and how, individually and through our children, we can proactively and reactively contribute to an antiracist school and community.