Equity

"We see our schools as centers for culturally diverse learning where all students are educated to their fullest potential and as centers of our community around which we come together in support of the education of all students.

The concept of educational equity goes beyond formal equality to fostering a barrier-free environment where all students, regardless of their race, class, or other personal characteristics, have the opportunity to benefit equally in order to succeed and thrive.

Equity is critical to the success of our schools, our students, and our community."

(OCS Board Policy 1030, February 2019)

Dr. Sheldon Lanier
Chief of Equity and Student Achievement
Sheldon.Lanier@orange.k12.nc.us (919) 732-8126

Mr. Kumar R. Sathy (he/him/his) [click to hear pronunciation]
District Equity Facilitator
Kumar.Sathy@orange.k12.nc.us (919) 732-8126

OCS Equity Resources

OCS Code of Student Conduct

Purpose of the Code of Student Conduct

The OCS Code of Student Conduct (English, Spanish) was created based upon student, staff, and community feedback. The document’s goal is to provide a fair, equitable, and understandable student discipline policy and reduce the number of suspensions and inequitable infractions among our student population.

The purpose of the OCS Code of Student Conduct is to ensure that it protects the rights, safety, and security of our students and staff while reflecting the real-life situations they encounter.

The goal of OCS is that every single student — no matter their race, their ethnicity, their religion, their background, their belief, or their orientation — knows they can go to school every day, safe, supported and nurtured. Each classroom serves as a gathering place for our students. Their very diversity is the strength of our community. How they learn together will determine the future of Orange County, our nation, and our world.

In order for the Code to be effective, it must be familiar among our students, staff, and our families. We highly encourage you to read the Code of Student Conduct and use it as a reference should the need arise. Should you have any questions, please contact your school’s administrative team. OCS is committed to maintaining a safe and nurturing environment, where all students can learn and grow to reach their maximum potential.

Restorative Practices

When a student is sent out of the classroom or other location to the Student Support Center, a student engages in a process of Reflect (completion of a reflection form), Repair (problem solving to makes things right), and Re-Connect (brief conference with the teacher upon return to the classroom to share strategies that will enable student to get back on track).

Additional Documents

We use the REIA Toolkit (Racial Equity Impact Assessment) to guide our work, aid in the decision-making process, and to prevent racial discrimination and inequities. Learn more about the toolkit and the 10 sample questions here: https://www.raceforward.org/sites/default/files/RacialJusticeImpactAssessment_v5.pdf

We also use an edited version of these 27 Equitable Practices to elevate culturally responsive teaching practices.