Structure
of Circle of Parents
The total number of people who will
officially compose the Circle of Parents is thirty-five
(35). The representatives from each “community” are
as follows:
| District Administration |
4 representatives |
| African American |
3 |
| Asian/Asian American |
3 |
| Chicano/Latino/ Hispanic |
3 |
| Native American |
3 |
| Anuak |
3 |
| Nuer |
3 |
| Somali |
3 |
| Vietnamese |
3 |
| ELL Teachers |
2 |
| Mainstream Teachers |
2 |
| Open spaces |
3 |
| Total = |
35 representatives |
The Circle of Parents
Advisory Committee representatives will meet once per month
to dialogue on ways in which to create the best possible
learning environment. The meetings will operate on the consensus
model meaning that all decisions made by the Circle of Parents
will need to be agreed upon by all or most members. Consensus
in our context will mean that once a consensus is met and
agreed upon by the members that this is what will be communicated
to the public. It is understood that those in consensus will
not do anything to undermine or prevent what has been agreed
upon from occurring.
These meetings
will be open to the public so that anyone who wants to observe
the process can do so.
Expectations
There are two expectations that should be addressed: the
expectations of the participants in the Circle of Parents
and the expectations of the purpose of the Circle of Parents.
The expectations of the participants in the Circle of Parents
are:
- Each member is committed to the open honest dialogue
- Each member is committed to active participation
- Each member is committed to consistent attendance
- Each member is committed to the welfare of their fellow
participant
- Each member is committed to the betterment of the entire
community
The expectations of the purpose of the
Circle of Parents should be that we, the participants, are
not a policy-making entity but a “think tank” of
sorts who will dialogue regarding possible alternatives and
solutions. The participants in the Circle of Parents are
committed to active, open dialogue not wholesale restructuring
of the educational system here in District 77. It is my firm
belief that through this process we will effect lasting change
within District 77 but this is not the
reason for convening the Circle of Parents Advisory Committee.
Our participation in this initiative should focus on opening
up dialogue and creating better communication between diverse
student parents and the school district. After this has occurred
then change is made more plausible and possible.
Circle of Parents Advisory Committee
Rotating District Paricipants
Al Lawrence
Bruce Borchers
Don Poplau
Ed Waltman
Ginnette Boettcher
Habiba Elmi
Jeffrey Dahline
John Klaber
Les Koppendrayer
Linda Kilander
Maria Guerrero
Rich Dahman
Robin Courrier
Shane Baier
Sharon Fitch
Steve Byrne
Tom Schueneman
Parents and Civic Leaders
Ali Noor
Chuol Yat
Gwen Griffin
Habiba Elmi
Halima Mumin
Hanh-Huy Phan
Helen Healy
Laura Bartolo
Laura Stelter
Lero Odola
Maria Guerrero
Marisel Riquelme
Mymique Baxter
Ojoye Okello Akane
Peter Ngor
Reggie Edwards
Victoria Salas
ELL Teachers
Diane Dobitz
Sally Kvebak
Facilitation/Coordination
Bukata Hayes, the coordinator of the Diversity Support Services
Pilot Program, will handle the facilitation/coordination
of the Circle of Parents Advisory Committee meetings. Any
ideas or issues concerning this initiative should be communicated
to Bukata. As the point person for this journey, he is poised
to readily respond to all inquiries. Please flow any and
all correspondence regarding the Circle of Parents Advisory
Committee through Bukata, as he will relay all information
presented to him to the appropriate person.
If you have any questions/concerns regarding
this initiative, please contact:
Bukata Hayes
Executive Director
Greater Mankato Diversity Council
bhayes@greatermankato.com
507.385.6652 Office |
