Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council

At Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, our mission is to provide education that is rigorous, relevant, and meaningful to each student in a safe and supportive environment—resulting in academic, career, and technical excellence. This experience encourages lifelong learning, fosters mutual respect, and instills social responsibility, respect for diversity, and responsible citizenship. 

Role of the DEI Advisory Council The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Council seeks to provide leadership for ongoing learning, dialogue, and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion among all members of the district—students, faculty, and staff alike. The Council welcomes, unites, values, and appreciates all people, inclusive of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, socio-economic classes, religions, abilities, and ages. 

We work to examine institutional structures and processes to facilitate progress toward a more equitable, inclusive district and community. The Council advocates for policies, practices, and programs that foster belonging and opportunity for all, including: 

• Morning announcements that celebrate cultural heritage months, student achievements, and inclusive messages. 
• Multicultural celebrations that honor traditions from around the world and encourage cross-cultural learning. 
• The annual Resource Fair and community tabling events that connect students and families with local organizations and services. 
• Classroom practices rooted in Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) to ensure lessons are relevant to students’ lived experiences and identities. 
• Ongoing compliance with policies and procedures that promote equitable treatment and access for every member of the school community. 

The Council will encourage innovative programs and initiatives that: 

• Celebrate different cultures and traditions. 
• Foster awareness of diverse perspectives and experiences. 
• Engage the GNBVT community in meaningful dialogue. 

Our Commitment in Action The DEI Advisory Council engages faculty, staff, and students to: 

• Support, coordinate, and implement programs, seminars, and workshops that address diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Promote the development, communication, and understanding of policies that advance DEI principles. 
• Identify and recommend new initiatives to enhance the student and employee experience, including increasing diversity and retention among faculty and staff. 
• Build awareness and sensitivity around equity and diversity issues throughout the district. 
• Serve as a forum for proactive, constructive discussions that move the school community toward greater understanding and unity. 

Declaration of Purpose At GNBVT, the DEI Advisory Council is committed to creating a school community where every voice matters. Through active listening, open dialogue, and meaningful learning experiences, we strive to cultivate a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. Our goal is to move beyond tolerance toward a true embrace of diversity by eliminating barriers and building bridges between identities. 

Defining Our Core Values We recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion are deeply interconnected concepts that can be perceived differently depending on one’s lived experiences. To ensure a shared understanding, we define them as follows: 

• Diversity is the variety of cultures, worldviews, values, and personal experiences that may result from differences such as race, ethnicity, national origin/immigration status, sex, age, religion, abilities, neurodiversity, socio-economic status, educational level, sexual orientation, family configuration, and gender identity. 
• Equity is the commitment to fair practices, policies, and access so that all individuals can thrive. It addresses systemic inequalities and provides the necessary tools and support for success across all groups. 
• Inclusion is the intentional building of a culture of belonging—one that embraces differences, actively invites contributions, and ensures full participation in all opportunities. 

Through our actions—whether in morning announcements, multicultural events, classroom practices, or policy enforcement—we aim to make diversity, equity, and inclusion not just ideals, but daily realities at GNBVT. 

Members