Battle Creek Public Schools Statement on Racial Equity

Dear BCPS Community,

There is so much injustice in this world. The events of this week have been painful. The pain we feel now is something many of us aren’t even able to put words to. George Floyd’s death made a gruesome public spectacle of the deep injustices that black people have been facing in our country for centuries. In this time, many people are wishing and hoping for things to go back to normal. I don’t want to go back to a normal where not all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. At BCPS, we are committed to creating a new normal.

Racism is real, whether we want to believe it or not. As a school district, we can’t end racism and injustice, but what we can do is learn about patterns and root causes of injustice and commit to do things differently. The transformation of BCPS is at its heart, an effort to increase equity. At Battle Creek Public Schools, our equity imperative is rooted in our belief that all students, regardless of race, income, zip code, identities or abilities, should have the opportunity to reach their potential.

At Battle Creek Public Schools, we see all students by name, need and strength. Over the last several years, our teachers and staff have received unconscious bias training from the National Equity project, studied and implemented culturally-relevant teaching practices, and learned to make stronger connections with all children based on each student’s individual background and experiences. This is an ongoing journey — there is no “mission accomplished” moment for ending racism and injustice. We will continue to do this work, to learn and to grow, as we pursue a better future for our young people and our community, and we hope that you’ll stand together with us.

We know that our students have different needs, different identities, and different paths to success. We are driven by our equity imperative to celebrate these differences and to create schools where all students have the opportunity to succeed. Our commitment to our community is that at BCPS, all truly means ALL.

Thank you for standing together, and standing with us.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Kimberly Carter, Battle Creek Public Schools