Parent Diversity Advisory Council

Parent Diversity Advisory Council
2012-2013
Meeting Minutes Date: September 12, 2012
Introductions/ Attendance: Sandra Charles (PDAC Chairperson), Rachael Mahmood (Vice-
Chair), Mike Popp (District liaison to PDAC), Mark Rising (School Board Member), Jim Schmid
(Principal, Metea Valley High School), Claudia Molina (Gombert), Toshia Moss (Georgetown),
Monica Houston (Cowlishaw, Hill), Susana Payan (Granger), Xiaohong Li (Still), Debbie Im (Metea),
Saily Joshi (Brookdale), Gabrielle Castillo, Natalie Syty, Megan Narofsky, Brandon Pettigrew,
Michele Harms
Focus: Getting to Know the PDAC and Liaison Orientation
After introductions and a welcome by Chairperson Sandra Charles, Vice-Chairperson, Rachael
Mahmood provided a brief history of our Parent Diversity Advisory Council, the group’s focus,
PDAC sponsored activities, our working definition of diversity, a preview of our calendar for the
year including topics such as religion, sexual orientation, and language barriers.
PDAC meetings are marked not by how each of us represents diversity; rather, it is marked by
people who are passionate about diversity.
The group reflected on the Mission Statement of the PDAC. The Mission is a call for action, not
just about “planning to plan.” The Mission focusses on student achievement. Should the word
“value” be a part of the Mission? Some schools have a strong foundation in this topic of
diversity; others do not. Real changes happen when people who have a passion for the
topic/the change, step forward to take action. Our group has moved from an “advisory”
orientation to one of action. It is passionate parents, acting as liaisons to their schools who
have made the possibility of change a reality.
Rachael reviewed the handout including the other activities for this school year, the roles of the
liaisons, and how to get started as a liaison.
All meetings, except for the World Café which will be held at Waubonsie Valley, will be held at
the Crouse Education Center where all three of the Board Rooms are reserved for our meetings.
Rachael’s PowerPoint presentation and our new handbook are posted on our website for
members to reference and share with others. There are numerous other resources available on
the website from past meetings.
Sandra spoke to the role of the PDAC membership. There are no “cookie cutter” directions for
working to positively impact achievement in a school. There is no one “solution.” “As a group

we talk a lot, and out of those discussions, ideas rise to the top.” Some of these ideas/models
have been implemented and have worked.
Our members can bring the lens of equity to many of our PTAs/PTSAs who do great work for
our communities; we need to ask if all of our decisions serve the needs of all of our students.
One member noted that her school has a very high percentage of low-income families and
asked about the ability for parents to participate in PTA without paying the membership. Some
PTAs have had dialogue around this topic. Some have worked to raise funds to pay for other’s
memberships, but some membership chairs have not lowered this barrier for families. Sandra
will bring this topic to the IPPC President. Sandra will also contact the speaker we had as a
guest of the PDAC from the National PTA to seek her guidance.
Liaison question? What should I talk to the principal about? The PTA? Answer: ask about
student achievement. Ask about how all students are doing? Ask about what we are doing
about it as a school (the school improvement plan). Ask about how the PTA can support the
efforts of the school. But work to build relationships with the principal and PTA members as
you lay the foundation for taking on these somewhat difficult topics.
Sandra previewed the upcoming World Café which will take place at Waubonsie Valley in the
LMC on October 23 from 6-9 pm. 5-6 parents/teachers/administrators from every school will
meet that night to hold an equity-themed dialogue. This year there will be high school feeder
follow-up meetings after World Café, MV on December 12, WV on February 13, and NV on April
10. Schools will be able to bring more members to the follow-up meetings. Principals will
reach out to staff and parents to form their teams. One member asked if there is a way to
expand the number who can attend the Café as the conversation is so positive and should be
shared by more.
September 29: The Regional Office of Education is sponsoring a parent summit at the College
of DuPage. Sandra will email information about the summit to tonight’s attendees. Please
share with other parents in your schools.