Amador County – In the wake of the confidential settlement of a civil rights lawsuit by a student, the Amador County Unified School District continues to increase its diversity programs and training.

Alesa Schachter, an attorney for the School District and its Tuolumne Joint Power Authority, said she could not comment directly on the settlement, signed last August and September. She said a confidentiality clause kept her from commenting directly about a part the settlement, which required the School District to put in place a diversity or tolerance program by the year 2011-2012. Schachter said she could provide information in general about tolerance and diversity programs in ACUSD, including past, present and future programs.

Schacter provided a list of diversity and tolerance training programs, including “programs and curriculum beginning in 2010-2011 and beyond.”

It said “Breaking Down the Walls,” which began in April 2008, and “is a powerful, interactive program that creates a unique environment of self reflection and community building.” Staff and students at Amador and Argonaut High Schools and Ione and Jackson Junior High Schools “have already all participated in and completed this training and workshop.”

In April, teachers and district leaders will participate in the Anti-Defamation League’s “A World of Difference Training.” The League in 2010 presented a training program, “Making Diversity Count,” for all high school teachers and administrators, “including Principals, vice principals and counselors.”

A “Tolerance and Acceptance Committee” meets the first Tuesday of each month during the school year, with “at least one representative from each school site, district administrators, parents and other community members.” It is open to all, and will “discuss and disseminate information regarding bullying, tolerance and acceptance” in schools and “how to effectively prevent intolerance, discrimination and bullying.” It will give school sites articles for discussion during staff meetings, to give “real world scenarios they can work through.”

In January was “Anti-Bully Week,” and the district is also in the process of adopting the “Peace Builders” program. There is a plan for “Holocaust Remembrance Day,” Sunday May 1, and the district will encourage sites and teachers to discuss the Holocaust during the week of May 2-6.

In August 2009, teacher Jennifer Norton, a certified trainer with the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., provided training to the District’s principals for those principals to “work through their start of the year staff meeting discussion on the issues of inclusion, tolerance and cultural diversity.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.