Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
The West Sonoma County Union High School District is committed to furthering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) on our campuses. On January 18, 2023, our School Board voted to pass a resolution to set up a DEI committee. In addition, we hired a full-time Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) to serve as our DEI Coordinator and a full-time Education Services TOSA to support our DEI initiatives in the 2023-2024 school year.
Meet our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Anita Sandwina
(And learn about her three pillars of work)
Students and staff can make an appointment to see the DEI coordinator using the "Resources" tab of their laptops.
DEI Initiatives
Recognition of Groups and Heritage Months
In honor of Pride Month, we raised the pride progress flag on Harvey Milk Day, Wednesday, May 22, to show solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community.
DEI Student Advisory Council
The Student Advisory Council is comprised of ten students from our district who work with the DEI Committee to share with them the student experience and perspective. If you'd like to join the DEI Student Advisory Council for the 2024-2025 school year, please email Anita Sandwina (asandwina@wscuhsd.org) and share your interest and all the unique ways you identify. The Council will meet once a month during tutorial time.
Peer Transformational Coaching
During the '22-'23 school year, Analy staff created a unique Peer Transformational Coaching Program inspired by Elena Aguilar's work The Art of Coaching and Coaching for Equity. Analy leveraged grant funds (K12 Strong Workforce and New School Model) to train ten teachers to be peer coaches. These teachers were coached for an entire year to understand coaching for behaviors (what you do), beliefs (how you think about students and teaching), and ways of being (the energy you bring).
In the '23-'24 school year, two coaches became full-time TOSAs, which allowed Analy to expand the program to serve 26 teachers; each new hire teacher was paired with a coach, and so were several veteran teachers and peer coaches. We continue to utilize grant funds to pay coaches who use their prep periods to provide coaching support. Research shows that any change or improvement in classroom practice requires two parts.
High-quality professional development
Regular coaching support
We see evidence of this in our effort to support Standards-Based Grading (a more accurate, bias-resistant, and intrinsically motivating assessment strategy). Our Peer Transformational Coaching Program promises to retain great teachers AND disrupt predictably poor academic outcomes for marginalized students. If you have questions about this program, please get in touch with Nicole Wilkinson (nwilkinson@wscuhsd.org).
Teachers share their experiences in regard to standards-based grading.
Belonging, Restorative Practices, and Human Rights Education
La Raza Club at a Dia de los Muertos Event
Analy has 47 on-campus clubs that students can join! From the Book Club to the E-Sports Club, there is a place for everyone to belong. View our '23-'24 club list here.
Unity Week is an El Molino tradition that aims to support the value of acceptance. This week-long event at Analy High School aims to bring awareness to diverse groups and their culture, perspectives, and resources.
Ms. Sandwina hosting the Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Circle at Laguna High School.
The NVC group meets twice a month and is reading Nonviolent Communication, a book centered around empathy, collaboration, authenticity, and freedom. They are one of a handful of groups that meet regularly in a restorative circle. In addition to the groups that meet regularly, Ms. Sandwina hosts restorative circles for all members of our school community as needs arise.
We believe it is imperative to teach our students to know their rights! View our "Know Your Rights" webpage to learn about Title II, IV, and IX and how to file a complaint.