Livingston Public Schools

Livingston Public Schools’ Equity Goal seeks to improve the culture and community with LPS by enhancing inclusiveness, cultural awareness, anti-racism, and acceptance of individual differences through mandated curricular programming, extracurricular programming, and district operations. We are in the very early stages of our work and with each day we realize how much more we need to do in ensuring each of our students know they belong and are sure they are valued in our schools. 

In response to this goal, LPS created District and Building Equity Teams to put “equity into action” at every level across the school community through:

• Data analysis and planning
• Coaching educators on equity, anti-racism and inclusion in the classroom.
• Planning and facilitating community conversations

The Equity Teams continue to work with teachers to make instruction more responsive to diversity, and inclusive of various cultures. The teams also work to strategically implement professional development and school-based programming focused on diversity, anti-racism, and cultural inclusivity in teaching and learning in order to create a common language and set of expectations for the school community.

The Equity Teams continue to work with teachers to make instruction more responsive to diversity, and inclusive of various cultures. The teams also work to strategically implement professional development and school-based programming focused on diversity, anti-racism, and cultural inclusivity in teaching and learning in order to create a common language and set of expectations for the school community.

If you are interested in learning more about and/or joining the Equity Team at your child's school, please visit one of the following pages for more information:

• Burnet Hill Equity Team
• Collins Equity Team
• Harrison Equity Team
• Hillside Equity Team
• Mt. Pleasant Elementary School Equity Team
• Riker Hill Equity Team
• Mt. Pleasant Middle School Equity Team
• Heritage Middle School Equity Team
• Livingston High School Equity Team

Between January 2021 and March 2022, Livingston Public School staff, students, and family members worked to create our district's commitments to equity. Click here to view our commitments to equity.

Here is a sampling of some the things that the LPS Equity and Diversity Teams have accomplished and continues to work on!

STUDENTS:

• Established Social Justice Teams, grades 4-6
• Held MPM Equity Summit for Fifth Grade 
• Named 4th-6th Grade Student Social Justice Leaders (*to be done in June)
• Created Student focus groups on equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all schools
• Held Community-Advisory periods, grades 6-12 with a focus on equity, inclusion, and anti-racism
• Created official district equity commitment statements, known as the “100%s” 
• Worked to grow identity affinity groups in middle and high schools 
• Increased character and author diversity of  
• Media Center selections, classroom libraries and grade level texts/novels

STAFF:

• Offered staff professional development on equity, anti-racism, inclusion, instructional tools through coaching from outside organizations, 
• book studies, conferences, professional discourse, and collaboration
• Staff engagement on building and district equity teams
• Implemented curriculum resource expansion in Media Center selections and academic departments
• Continued collaboration between LPS Human Resources and organizations that actively recruit diverse candidates 
• Created a School Budget that allocates funds for building-based equity coach stipends, advanced equity training, and expanded professional development for all staff
• Established official equity statements, known as the “100%s,” as a staff commitment

COMMUNITY:

• Conducted parent equity survey and presented results to BOE
• Expanded Equity Teams to include all interested parents
• Created District facilitated Affinity Groups
• Created District and school-based web pages with accessible equity resources
• Utilized District newsletter “Spotlight” to share with all members of community where information regarding our equity work is accessible
• Worked to grow parent leadership and participation in building-wide cultural events
• Established Equity Committees as part the HSA/PTA structure 
• Revised the academic calendar to recognize holidays important to our community members