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Committment to Diversity

West Mercer's Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion1

West Mercer values diversity, equity and inclusion. It is committed to building and sustaining a school community where staff, parents, and learners acquire and build upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes that value and embrace inclusiveness, equity and awareness as a way to unleash creativity and innovation in pursuit of the District’s Values, Vision and Mission.

Valuing diversity embodies inclusion, mutual respect, and multiple perspectives. In this context, we are mindful of all aspects of human identities, such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religious/spiritual beliefs and values, geography, mental and physical disability and age.

Inclusion is a core requirement for successfully embracing diversity. Inclusion is achieved by intentionally creating opportunities for involvement, participation, and growth from each of us - nurturing the climate and culture of the school through professional development, education, policy, and practice. Equity also requires mutual respect as we strive for fairness and justice in the way people are treated within our school. Our objective is to create a school climate that fosters respect, belonging, and value for all, while encouraging participation and connection throughout the organization. West Mercer supports diversity through various initiatives, including:

  • Rich Curriculum and classroom activities that reflect our diverse student population
  • School events that celebrate and honor our diverse student body and community 
  • Staff development that enhances skill sets to meet the diverse needs of our learning community
  • Staff, student and parent involvement in committees and activities that study, suggest and support diversity initiatives

The District, in affiliation with its Diversity Advisory Committee, will provide training, tools, and resources for staff development, improvement of the organization’s climate, inclusive curricula, cultural proficiency training, leadership development, and community engagement. Building on the rich cultural history, traditions, and diversity of the Puget Sound region, the District, including its students, staff and school board, are dedicated to educational opportunities and school environments that are inclusive, empathic, celebratory and respectful of our individual and collective differences.

1 Acknowledgement to the UW School of Medicine Diversity and Inclusion commitment.