Race/Human Relations and Advocacy Program :: San Diego Unified School District

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Race/Human Relations and Advocacy Program


•	Overview
•	Goals & Objectives
•	Programs & Services
•	Related Resources
•	Contact Information

Overview
The Race/Human Relations and Advocacy Program promotes racial and cultural harmony for students and staff in response to both site-based needs and district objectives. The program seeks to ensure that equity in education is provided for all students and staff in the San Diego Unified School District.

Goals and Objectives


•	To promote equitable educational opportunities for all students
•	To prepare all students to succeed in a culturally diverse society
•	To build positive relationships between individuals
•	To create positive working environments
•	To Nurture self-renewal at sites during difficult times

Programs & Services

Associated Student Body
Race/Human Relations & Advocacy provides a variety of services to Associated Student Bodies including:


•	Coordinating monthly meetings with elected student body presidents
•	Coordination support for student congress meetings
•	Coordinates student represntations for board meetings
•	Provides training to students on civic responsibility and team building

Diallo Ajamu Project
A ten week curriculum designed for African-American male/female students inclusive of culture, history, self-esteem building, career exploration and goal setting. Grades 5-12.

Diversity Workshops
Diversity Workshops are offered throughout the year, district-wide, to all departments and school staffs.

Don't Laugh At Me (DLAM)
Don't Laugh At Me is an anti-bullying program aimed primarily at elementary students. Through 19 lessons the program is intended to promote character education and conflict resolution. Additionally, lesson plans are designed for teachers to teach tolerance and respect for diversity. Training modules of the program can be requested by school sites.

Hombre Nobl'e Project
A ten week curriculum designed for Latino/Latina students inclusive of culture, history, self-esteem building, career exploration and goal setting. Grades 5-12.

Mediation Services
Mediation services are provided to all district employees. Any disagreement or dispute that disrupts the educational program (i.e. staff-to-staff, staff-to-student, or school/community) can be referred to the Race/Human Relations & Advocacy staff for assistance. The staff is trained in the mediation process and has experience working in conflict resolution. All assistance is provided under the strictest level of confidentiality and handled in a professional manner.

Multi-Cultural Guidance Assistants (MGA)
Under the supervision of a Race/Human Relations & Advocacy District Counselor, the MGA's provide translation (languages spoken: Cambodian, Lao, Muong, Vietnamese, Somali) for IEP's, SARB, Placement and Appeal, Early Childhood Assessments, parent conferences, and open houses. They are often called upon to make parent phone contacts and help in the classroom. MGA's provide much needed social skills groups for students, review student progress reports, review report cards, and student high school credit checks, as needed.

Off-Campus Integrated Learning Experiences (OCILE)
Ongoing diversity training is provided to OCILE staff on district student concepts and team building support upon request.

Our Village Program
Our Village is a comprehensive race-relations program offered to all high schools and middle schools on a voluntary basis. The Our Village curriculum is 12 weeks of pre/post lesson plans and a 2 day/1 night camp at Girl Scout camp-grounds. The Our Village primary objective is to improve school climate through building strong student leaders. Students become responsible citizens and assist school communities in seeking ways to value and respect diversity.

Peer Mediation Training
The Peer Mediation curriculum contains six to ten lesson plans for staff and students in the Peer Mediation process. The staff/student training includes practice to lead mediation sessions. Students learn how to assist their peers in solving conflicts in a positive way. Student Peer Mediators receive certificates upon completion of their training.

Racial/Cultural Crisis Intervention Education
Any racial incident that disrupts the educational program and affects the emotional stability of students or staff is designated a crisis. The Race/Human Relations & Advocacy staff are trained to deal with large-scale racial conflicts that permeate the entire school. Issues handled by the team are sometimes broad and may be volatile. School site and R/HR&A personnel try to determine the cause of the problem and work cooperatively to develop a proactive action plan. Additional staff may be assigned for a specific period of time to carry out the plan and provide on-going support and assistance.

Safe Schools Ambassadors Program
A violence prevention program (curriculum) designed to increase safe school environments for students. Grades 6-12.

Sexual Harassment Education
The sexual harassment education curriculum consists of classroom lessons, student assemblies, and individual student groups. this service is available to schools upon request by the site administrator and/or teaching staff

Staff Development
Race/Human Relations & Advocacy provides on site training to school sites upon request on any of the programs offered by the department. In addition, the department offers staff team-building and staff-inservive training to school sites.

Student Advocate Program
Student Advocacy focuses on the expansion and implementation of strategies serving underperforming students. The Student Advocacy Program was established in 2000-01 incorporating the Improving the Academic Achievement of African American Students (IAAAAS) Program and the Latinas/Latinos Achieving More Academically (LLAMA) Advocacy Program to provide additional opportunities for program expansion as well as a more effective use of resources.

Student Equity Committee
R/HR&A is the district liaison to the Student Equity Committee. The Student Equity Committee ensures all students have equitable access to learning opportunities.The committee reports its findings and recommendations directly to the Board.

Suspension Program
Race/Human Relations & Advocacy staff assist the district in seeking ways to reduce student suspensions. The department works in collaboration with school administrators, school personnel and other departments to assist with intervention strategies. Schools identify students needing interventions and support. The RHR&A District Counselors, advocates, and other student services personnel visit schools to provide resources and guidance for students who are being suspended.

Related Resources


•	Race/Human Relations & Advocacy Fact Sheet: English \| Spanish
•	Anti-bullying Program: English \| Spanish
•	A Dozen Things Principals Can Do to Stop School Violence: English \| Spanish \| Lao \| Somali \| Vietnamese \| Cambodian
•	A Dozen Things Teachers Can Do to Stop School Violence: English \| Spanish \| Somali \| Vietnamese \| Cambodian \| Lao

Contact Information

Race/Human Relations & Advocacy Department
Pacific Beach Center
4606 Ingraham Street
San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 490-8678 - Phone
(858) 274-6457 - Fax

Key Contacts

Title	Contact
Program Manager	Agin Shaheed ashaheed@sandi.net (858) 490-8678
Administrative Assistant	Brenda Brigham bbrigham@sandi.net (858) 490-8678
Complete List of Contacts