The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition

Creating An Inclusive Environment at Lakeshore: The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition.

The Lakeshore Excellence Foundation has made a pledge and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. But what does it mean to be more inclusive and how do we continue to promote inclusion throughout the district?

According to the Oxford dictionary, inclusion is the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of other minority groups.

Inclusion focuses on the whole environment at Lakeshore, being aware of and making changes so that all children can participate fully. In an inclusive environment, diversity is acknowledged, respected and celebrated as a resource for learning, growth and change. Within an inclusive environment all students experience a sense of belonging, feeling respected, valued and seen for who they are as individuals.
One way that our district is working towards becoming more inclusive has been the establishment of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition (DEIC). The DEIC is a cohort of passionate Lakeshore students who are committed to improving the learning experience for all students. They are empathetic toward their peers and possess the courage to address pitfalls, seeking resolutions that create a more inclusive environment within Lakeshore by providing support to individuals who may feel marginalized within our district.

The DEIC was designed to be a student-led group in order to catalyze a positive influence and create growth at the student level with the goal of creating a more optimistic and inclusive environment throughout the Lakeshore community.

When asked why it is important that Lakeshore creates a DEIC, one student responded, “It is important that Lakeshore has a DEI Coalition because all students should know that they have peers and administrators who are committed to supporting them. It is so important for marginalized youth who may feel alienated, to know that the district is here to support them through their educational journey and development.”

The DEIC will be creating events and activities centered around the inclusion of all students. If students are interested in joining the DEIC, they can email Mr. Greg Eding, Superintendent at geding@lpslancer.net. There is a desire to continue growing the group.