Everyone shared what they are thankful for. List included: Graduate thesis is likely to be approved soon, kids are coming home for the holiday, returning to the US, the awesome volunteerism of our board members, Parker colleagues, life!

Sonia presented SMART GOALS. Group asked clarifying questions. More in Part D of agenda.

Specific: What exactly will you accomplish?

1. Directly support BIPOC affinity group work within the Recruitment Taskforce that is focused on increasing Parker applications overall for the 2023 lottery; this includes 

• A DEI subcommittee member(s) will serve on the Recruitment taskforce
• Attending recruitment events to represent the DEI subcommittee efforts
• Enhancing recruitment materials and recruiting events to attract BIPOC applicants
• Planning 1-2 recruitment events with the recruitment taskforce that focus on recruitment specifically from BIPOC communities
• 2. Longer term goal – monitor state legislation progress that would give preference to BIPOC applicants in the charter school lottery process.

Brian reported enrollment challenges, the potential of adding another lottery for mid-year admission. Shared that there are more than 10 current ambassadors. The goal is to have about 20 from several community and 2-3 affinity groups. Questions about whether adding additional lottery could serve to increase or decrease BIPOC students. Adding any students will be helpful to the budget as well increase the chances of increasing diversity.

Delegation of tasks:

A DEI subcommittee member(s) will serve on the Recruitment taskforce: Sonia, Mario and Shawna volunteered to serve as ambassadors/attend recruitment efforts.

Attending recruitment events to represent the DEI subcommittee efforts: Sonia, Mario and Shawna volunteered to serve as ambassadors/attend recruitment efforts.

Enhancing recruitment materials and recruiting events to attract BIPOC applicants: Pam will serve as point person for this. 

Planning 1-2 recruitment events with the recruitment taskforce that focus on recruitment specifically from BIPOC communities: Shawna will look into Leominster events where we might table (around the holidays).  Ruth will look into Ayer and Fitchburg events where we could do the same.  Brian is exploring a January event where the founder of Starfish Academy in The Gambia could come and speak about perseverance and her experience founding Starfish Academy, a school for girls in West Africa. This global event could serve as an educational event for Parker families as well as a recruitment even for future Parker families.  This committee could serve to publicize and increase attendance for the event.

We will check in via email on December 2nd to track progress.

Our next meeting will be help at 7:00 remotely on Wednesday, December 14th, 2022.