Lakewood FAQs
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What will the Equity Team do?
To build on what is already stated in the Equity Team Purpose:
- This group will be chief learners and listeners in support of a community that ensures everyone experiences belonging. This means that the equity team will be exploring and discussing methods of engaging and processing input from community members (students, staff, parents and community members) in ways that identify goals and priorities that will improve learning for each student in our community. The focus of this work will be on how to enact the priorities already identified in the Lakewood Compact and in the Student Academic and Well-Being Recovery Plan.
- This group will plan community conversations, in the form of public forums, that seek input from our community around which priorities and goals we would like to make our focus. Over time, there will be multiple community forums planned by this group that will gather further input on the strategies identified to address those priorities and goals.
- This group will process community input and identify and share proposed strategies to meet goal(s) that address the particular needs of diverse groups of students. Goals and strategies should be designed to ensure that all groups are engaged and have the opportunity to access the services we provide to meet the identified goal(s). The intention is to be comprehensive in the groups whose needs we address.
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How will our district ensure that each family, student and staff member has a voice and is seen for who they are?
Our district is focusing on building bridges across our community with a focus on belonging. This means that we are making a commitment that all of our relationships, practices and policies honor the different stories and experiences lived by our families, students and staff members. This approach is based on the concept that “All Means Each.” Our district serves a diverse range of students. Our Equity Team will be designing conversations, goals and strategies that ensure every member of our community is valued.
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Does our district teach Critical Race Theory?
We do not and are not planning to teach Critical Race Theory (CRT). This is not part of our state standards.
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What is the status of Lakewood’s plans regarding the new Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Standards? Have we selected new curriculum materials?
We have not chosen new curriculum materials to meet the Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Standards. Curriculum materials adoption is a public process which includes community review and input of materials under consideration. Opportunities for members of the community to review such materials are publicly announced. Adoption of materials culminates in board approval at a public meeting.
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Will families have a chance to opt out of classes that use the new Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Standards?
This has always been an option for sexual education units and will continue to be so. Families may request to opt out by submitting the request in writing to the building principal.
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Where can we find and review the new Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Standards?
Individuals can view the Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Standards here: https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/sexual-health-education/comprehensive-sexual-health-education-implementation. These standards include the recommended grade level for instruction.
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Will vaccination status of Lakewood district students and staff remain confidential?
Vaccination status is and will remain confidential under federal HIPAA requirements. Our district will not be sharing information about individuals’ vaccination status. We have already communicated to staff that vaccination status is a personal choice and a private medical record. Individuals inquiring about or otherwise addressing other people’s choices concerning vaccine status is not acceptable.
Please note that COVID vaccinations for students are not required at this time.