Over the past few years Green Local Schools have scored very high on all the state testing and received an Excellent rating. As a result there has been a an infusion of new students into the system. While this is good news, the dynamics of the student population has also changed and become much more diverse.

"We need to stay pro-active in dealing with our diverse student population," said Assistant Superintendent Linda Martin. "We have a different school population than we had 10 years ago and must make sure that the needs of all students are met."

There are numerous examples of this new, diverse student population. Enrolled are 150 students who speak a language other than English at home. These students represent 23 different languages and 27 different countries. There are 259 students who are of a racial group other than Caucasian. The number of students on Individual Education Plans (IEP's) is now at 496. And there are 559 students who come from an economically disadvantaged home.

In order to address these changes, Green formed the Diversity Committee under Curriculum Director Donna Plunkett, in the spring of 2007. The purpose is to identify the needs that arise as the student population diversifies.

Areas examined include customs, culture, disabilities, race, religion and other human differences. The idea is that the staff and students will proactively create a welcoming environment, promoting quality and honoring differences.

"We define diversity as social, economic, racial, sexual and any other areas that students are concerned about," said Martin. "We want to identify student concerns and actively deal with them."

"The committee wants to raise awareness and respect with regards to our diverse population. Yet there are also reoccurring issues such as the economics between the ‘haves and have nots’ that have been part of the school scene for a long time. The committee would like to address personal needs, student issues, situations where English is a second language (ESL) and any others that occur," she said.

It’s not as easy as it sounds. Diversity issues are enormous and sensitive. Surveys were conducted by middle and high school guidance counselors to gather student input. A wide range of backgrounds and interests were represented. In general this showed that most felt people were respectful in Green schools. But there’s need for improvement.

The areas of improvement identified included mistreatment by students, based on body shape and size and economic status. In the upper grades there were concerns about sexual orientation. There were some concerns, though not widespread, about racial and ethnic prejudice.

The committee studied available data and identified four goals - promoting school pride, build awareness of Green's diverse population, offer resources to meet the changing community, and work toward the district goal of creating and maintaining a respectful, caring, and safe learning environment.

In the spring, the committee presented their finds to Mayor Norton and representatives from the YMCA, the Green Chamber of Commerce and the Urban League. All indicated they would like to work with the school system to achieve the diversity goal