“When I look at our cafeteria, I see people from all walks of life of all different races, I see students sitting in the cafeteria together, and I see achievement across the board," says WHS Principal Baumbach.
Many people have differences that make them unique. Unfortunately, there are cruel people in this world who like to break people down because of it. In the United States, we face many forms of discrimination.
There are many laws and programs put into place that encourage equality and our differences. One of them is DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), an organization that seeks to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people.
DEI programs can encourage many to engage against discrimination. While it can be challenging at times for people to take that step. Things like this allow people to take initiative and encourage people to be involved. However, the Trump administration is removing DEI from universities and corporations.
Discrimination is also present in our local schools. At Wyoming High School, we provide a handbook to students and parents that clearly states that discrimination is taken seriously and is strictly prohibited.
¨It is prohibited by all means we do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender any of those sexual orientation any of that stuff,¨ says Principal Baumbach.
WHS takes pride in being inclusive no matter what gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation you are. It is important that everyone feels safe and welcomed at school.
There are many policies and consequences put into place to ensure everyone feels safe here at our school.
If you ever feel like you are being discriminated against, there are procedures put into place for these situations. ¨Notify a staff member, we have a requirement to respond in 48 hours but typically it's right away,¨ says Principal Baumbach.
Truth be told we also have a lack of diversity in our staff members here at WHS. Diversity is a big component in discrimination, and it's not because they don't want to be but due to the candidates that apply. Our principal here understands that and realizes this is an issue at our school.
¨I recognize I'm a white male working in a very diverse school, and so I am always willing and wanting to kind of hear the perspective of how students feel,” says Baumbach.
As we recognize these issues at our school, we have created clubs and programs that allow students to feel welcome. Such as a cultural climate club that meets twice a month to find ways of inclusion.
“That committee has a couple differentials, one of them being how to support and get students to do that right thing and reward that and to plan different inclusion activities," says Baumbach.
All of this ties into having people feel welcomed and accepted at our school. Everyone is always encouraged to share their ideas and speak up on discrimination and ways to make our school better.
Our staff and students do a great job finding ways to show inclusion around our school. “Putting up displays, that's an area we are trying to be intentional so that when students come in they see a part of themselves in the building,” expresses Baumbach.