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The New Voices Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team aims to create a school culture that promotes an inclusive, diverse, and equitable learning environment where all students feel that they belong and that their experiences and perspectives matter.
We aim to cultivate and integrate our students’ diverse identities into every area of our school culture, providing them with opportunity for creative expression and student voice.
“As a classroom community, our capacity to generate excitement is deeply affected by our interest in one another, in hearing one another’s voices, in recognizing one another’s presence.”
Bell Hooks (1952-2021)
Important Dates:
| Jan 4, 2022 | New Voices School Pride Day* |
| Jan 11, 2022 | District 15 Equity Congress |
| Jan 12, 2022 | District 15 Student Equity Congress |
| Jan 12, 2022 | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Team Meeting |
| Jan 25, 2022 | Alumni Trivia Night* |
| Jan 28-Feb 4, 2022 | School Spirit Week* |
| Feb 4, 2022 | New Voices School Pride Day* |
Upcoming Student Opportunities:
A FREE ARTS INTENSIVE FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (In Person)
Summer Arts Institute (SAI) is a free, four-week arts program for New York City Department of Education public school students entering grades 8 through 12 in Fall 2022 (students currently in grades 7 through 11).
This intensive program will return to full time in-person arts instruction, health guidelines permitting. SAI is held at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens and is administered by the NYCDOE’s Office of Arts and Special Projects. Students can major in FILM, DANCE, CONCERT BAND, ORCHESTRAL STRINGS, THEATER, VISUAL ARTS or VOCAL MUSIC. The program is designed for students at an intermediate or advanced level of study in their discipline. Admission to the Summer Arts Institute is by application and virtual audition (call backs in person). Students may apply and audition for only ONE studio. Under current NYCDOE policy, all eligible students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in the Summer Arts Institute. All participating staff and students who are eligible to receive the vaccine must show proof of vaccination prior to the start of the program.
- Program Dates: July 5 – July 29, 2022
- Student Application Due: February 6, 2022
TO APPLY: Visit https://forms.gle/xf7vDA9ZLbhBbi5t7
Click hereto view the Summer Arts Institute Profile.Questions?: Please e-mail summerarts@schools.nyc.gov
Diversity in the Classroom
Diversity in the Math Classroom
Students in 8th grade independently select, research, and present to their peers on diverse mathematicians based on their interests.
Classroom Library Highlights
Through the generosity of the New Voices Parents Association, humanities teachers were able to choose 25 books during the Book Fair, which helped to bolster the diversity of our classroom libraries. Students were eager to check out and read the new books in our libraries!
Images above show a sample selection from an 8th grade library
Student Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Team
Students have the opportunity to participate in furthering the equity work being done at our school by participating in conversations about current events related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as help plan community-wide diversity events.
Ms. Gonzales, a 7th grade humanities teacher, is the group advisor.
Applications for the Student Equity Team
Student applications were submitted through late December and are being reviewed. Students will be notified of acceptance at the beginning of January.
The first Student Equity Team meeting will take place mid-January.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Team Updates
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Team is a collaboration between parents, teachers and administrators. We meet monthly to discuss, identify and implement change within our school community as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This month, we are analyzing the data generated from the DEI surveys that were administered to all stakeholders in December. From this data, the team will determine 2 or 3 areas of focus for the school year and develop an action plan to address these areas.
GSA News
The New Voices Gender and Sexuality Alliance has over 25 members across all three grades this year! GSA is a safe space for students to meet, support each other, and talk about school, life, and current events as well as participate in service-learning projects.
This month, the New Voices GSA is finishing up presentations about sexuality, gender, and pronouns to present to staff as part of the school’s professional development program. In addition, once our supplies arrive, we will begin creating our multi-media art pieces celebrating diversity.
The GSA continues to be an integral part of our community, allowing students to socialize across grades, make new friends, and discover new interests in a safe space for all students.
NEW VOICES | MS 443 