Page Contents
- About this Community Conversation Toolkit
- Why Using this Toolkit Matters
- What Makes this Toolkit Unique
- Get Started - Access to the Inclusion and Belonging Toolkits
Published July 2024
Welcome!
We are glad that you are here to learn about
our Community Conversation Toolkits.
We are glad that you are here to learn about
our Community Conversation Toolkits.
These toolkits are a comprehensive resource designed to guide individuals and teams in fostering inclusive and equitable school communities through active listening and mutual learning. Our toolkits provides resources for educators, families, and community members designed to support people in engaging their community in conversations related to their schools and their children's education.
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About this Community Conversation ToolkitWe know that children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally when they build strong connections and engage in meaningful learning experiences at school. These outcomes are best achieved when educators, parents, families, caregivers, and community members work together. This toolkit provides a practical guide to foster collaboration among all shareholders committed to creating inclusive and supportive school environments.
By offering strategies and resources, the toolkit helps bridge gaps in understanding and communication, addressing challenges related to inclusion and belonging. The toolkit empowers schools, families, and community partners to engage in open conversations about barriers to inclusion, co-create solutions, and build a shared vision for a school culture where every student feels valued and supported. It ensures that families and community members are active partners in cultivating schools where everyone belongs and can thrive. |
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Why Using this Toolkit Matters
Each and every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full human potential. When people who work in schools, parents, families, caregivers and community members are partners in co-creating school environments where teachers feel supported, students receive the resources and support they need, and families feel valued and connected, our young people thrive. It takes all of us working better together to create a school community that is truly a place of belonging.
The primary objectives of this toolkit are to help teams to:
- Identify natural community partners: Engaging and involving people who have an interest in and are most impacted by an issue is essential to identify what needs to be done differently.
- Engage the community: Bringing together diverse people, organizations, and community partners provides an opportunity to build new relationships and strengthen discussions.
- Build a shared understanding of an issue impacting the community: To collaborate effectively and efficiently, community members need to understand the work ahead.
- Find new partners: Sharing information about an issue in your school and community and work that may already be happening to address it creates opportunities and connections.
- Encourage further dialogue and develop opportunities for collaboration: Creating pathways for people to contribute and building capacity to work together differently on an issue resulting in long-lasting change and positive outcomes.
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Gracious Space
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The Gracious Space facilitation framework is a cornerstone of our Community Conversation Toolkit because it fosters an environment of mutual respect, openness, and collaboration. This framework, developed by the Center for Ethical Leadership, encourages participants to engage in meaningful dialogue, embrace diverse perspectives, and navigate complex conversations with empathy and understanding.
By creating a 'Gracious Space,' we ensure that all voices are heard, especially those from marginalized or underrepresented groups. This approach not only enhances the quality of the conversation but also builds a stronger sense of community and belonging, essential for addressing the many challenges we face. Utilizing Gracious Space principles in our toolkit empowers facilitators and participants to contribute authentically and constructively, leading to more inclusive and equitable outcomes. |
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Principles of Adaptive Community Leadership
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Our Community Conversation Toolkit integrates principles of adaptive community leadership, a framework designed to address complex, adaptive challenges that lack straightforward technical solutions. Adaptive challenges often involve shifts in values, beliefs, roles, and relationships within a community, and require a collaborative approach to navigate effectively.
By embedding these principles into our toolkit, we empower individuals and teams to engage in thoughtful dialogue, foster collective problem-solving, and embrace innovative thinking. This approach helps communities to identify and respond to underlying issues, rather than merely addressing symptoms. The adaptive leadership framework encourages participants to experiment, learn from diverse perspectives, and adapt their strategies in real-time, ensuring that solutions are inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the unique needs of their community. |
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GET STARTED |
Community Conversation Toolkits
In this section you can access the 'Inclusion Takes A Community' and the 'Building Belonging, Together' toolkits. Simply click on the image of the toolkit you want to access and you will find the complete toolkit including the Community Conversation Guidance Document, and all of the materials and tools that you need to get started. You will also find multimedia tools to help you learn more about the resources.
Inclusion Community Conversation Toolkit
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The 'Inclusion Takes A Community' Community Conversation Toolkit was originally developed for the Washington State Inclusionary Practices Development Project. This initiative has now expanded into the Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network (IPTN). The toolkit has been updated from its original version and continues to serve as a valuable resource for individuals and communities who are dedicated to ensuring that their schools are inclusive of each and every student.
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Belonging Community Conversation Toolkit
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The 'Building Belonging,Together' Community Conversation Toolkit is designed to help communities foster inclusive and welcoming school environments, grounded in the Indicators of Belonging developed by Dr. Eric Carter. This toolkit provides practical resources and guides to help communities engage in meaningful conversations about what it means to belong. The toolkit aims to support educators, families, and community members in creating spaces where every student feels valued, connected, and a sense of belonging.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
If you have questions or need additional information about the toolkits, contact us at [email protected]