Diversity ‘Conversations’ series wraps May 13

Facilitator Alisha DeLorenzo, interim deputy director at Garden State Equality and CEO/founder of Living YES LLC.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.—If parents were a bit uncomfortable, it’s all to the good, says a district curriculum supervisor who helped organize a series of “Community Conversations” on topics around issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

A fourth and final Community Conversation, set for May 13 at 7 p.m. on Zoom, aims to build on the three previous Zoom sessions in the series, and break new ground.

“Over the past few months we have stepped out of our comfort zones to reflect on, question, and share about experiences and perspectives relating to topics of diversity,” reads a flyer promoting the session.

The flyer features a quote from Margaret Wheatley that notes, “Human conversation is the most ancient and easiest way to cultivate conditions for change—personal change, community, and organizational change.”

Nicole Hreno, Woodcliff Lake School District Supervisor of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development, says the series is facilitated by diversity, equity, and inclusion presenters “who guide the participants through a journey of reflection and dialogue on topics that can sometimes feel uncomfortable to discuss, a key component of the program is the understanding that all individuals bring their own perspectives and experiences with them, and that conversation across varied worldviews will help us become more socially aware and grow closer as a community.”

The May 13 session is facilitated by Alisha DeLorenzo, interim deputy director at Garden State Equality and CEO/founder of Living YES LLC.

Previous facilitators were Melle Powers, Melissa Shaw, and Leila Buck.

Hreno said topics have ranged from realizing that “We don’t know what we don’t know and what makes up our identities and what identities we’re aware of.”

Participants tackled “an individual’s stock stories versus counternarratives, perspective and bias, and spirituality, faith and religion.”

Hreno said although participants are mostly parents, “we have also been excited to have participants from the larger community, such as faith leaders from the local area.”

Meeting a need

Two years ago, Hreno said, the district began to reflect on and revise its character education program to “more directly address topics related to diversity and inclusion. As part of this initiative, we also needed to analyze the interconnected facets of our educational system, including school climate, curriculum, professional development, and community outreach.”

She said one way to do that was launching Community Conversations with parents “to open up dialogue on topics relating to diversity and inclusion with parents and the larger community.”

Even better, Hreno said, district administrators have hosted more informal sessions to continue the dialogue and pursue possible curriculum changes and enhancements.

“In between the larger Community Conversations sessions, district administrators have been hosting more close-knit discussion sessions called Community Cafes,” Hreno said.

“These smaller sessions have allowed us to reflect on the conversations from the larger sessions and discuss how these understandings apply to our community and district, as well as to collaborate on new ideas and projects that will continue to strengthen our students’ learning experiences in the district,” she added.

She urges parents to get in on the final session of the 2020–2021 parent series “and see the benefits of talking about diversity, equity and inclusion” with an eye toward “more growth ahead.”

Parent Academy session May 19

Join the Woodcliff Lake PFA Parent Academy on May 19 at 7 p.m. as it presents “Are the Children Well? How Families Can Thrive Through Uncertain Times.”

Keynote speaker Alisha De Lorenzo’s discussion will include raising children during these uncertain times and the importance of prioritizing our own self-care. DeLorenzo is interim deputy director at Garden State Equality and CEO/founder of Living YES LLC.

Participants will learn the impact of toxic stress on the body and brain as well as learn new tools for building the self-awareness necessary to regulate our stress, manage our emotions and be the best version of ourselves.

Organizers say “This healing-centered approach will leave participants with a pathway to create deeper connections with themselves and with those they love.”

Parent Academy is an educational program for parents to address topics of importance related primarily to students’ social, educational, emotional or physical health, as well as other topics that can strengthen our sense of community.

To RSVP for this event, visit forms.gle/MUNUY6BPUucCfrXGA. For more information visit www.wclpfa.com.