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The Lynn Public Schools Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion prioritizes the development of shared spaces and the infusion of personal and team equity culture. This work is crucial as we continue to take deliberate action to support and empower our students and staff by effectively addressing equity gaps and by valuing trust, consistency, and accountability.
Mr. Bishop is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and holds a Master of Social Work degree from Salem State University. He has held multiple roles throughout his career in Lynn Public Schools, including School Clinician and Clinical Supervisor. His career in social work and community engagement in Lynn spans nearly three decades, as he developed and directed several youth outreach programs, worked as a family clinician, and served as a case manager for the Department of Children and Families. He is presently an adjunct professor in Salem State University’s School of Social Work, teaching SWK-715 Privilege and Oppression. He also sits as Vice President of the board of directors for Haven Project, a local 501c3 working to alleviate housing instability for young adults. Mr. Bishop’s SEL background is a natural intersection with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as he believes strongly that DEI work is social and emotional learning.
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What is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)?
People are at their best when they feel they belong. In Lynn Public Schools, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a central mission. It means supporting school environments where students and staff are validated in their identities, cultures, and circumstances through a whole-person lens of belonging, preparing them for ideal learning and teaching.
The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is presently prioritizing multiple facets within LPS to develop and support a culture of belonging for students and staff (including but not limited to):
- Personal & Team Equity Culture infusion
- Inclusivity Teams
- Superintendent’s Teacher Cabinets
- Superintendent’s Student Cabinet Affinity Groups for BIPOC administrators and staff
- Student DEI Consultancy Groups
- Gender & Sexuality Alliance
- Extracurriculars Professional Development
- School events
- Community events
SY 2023-2024 Highlights:
Superintendent’s Teacher Cabinets
The LPS Superintendent’s Teacher Cabinets (Early Childhood/Elementary and Secondary) met monthly between January and June 2024. These cabinet sessions, composed of LPS teachers, focused on staff-identified topics and collaboration regarding policy and procedure development and feedback.
Centering Youth Voices
Between December 2023 and June 2024, this Superintendent’s Student Cabinet met monthly with the DEI department and the Staff of Color Affinity Group in preparation for quarterly meetings with Dr. Alvarez. These cabinet sessions, composed of LPS secondary students, focused on student-identified topics and collaboration regarding policy and procedure development and feedback.
Gender & Sexuality Alliance
In Spring, 2024, the GSA clubs from around the district gathered for an afternoon of games, crafts, and future planning, including participation in the 2024 Pride Parade.
Office of Compliance
The DEI Department participated in many committees and sub-committees in partnership with the Office of Compliance, including:
- Disproportionate Discipline for Students with Disabilities Corrective Action
- Policy and Procedure: School Discipline
- Policy & Procedure: Protective Sweeps
- Policy & Procedure: Dress Code
- Policy & Procedure: Maximum Age for School Admission & Attendance
- Tiered Focused Monitoring Corrective Action
- Voluntary Desegregation Plan
- Pickering Building Plan
No Place for Hate Campaign
Utilizing the DESE FC 0794 - Round 2 Hate Crimes Prevention grant, 7 secondary schools and 1 elementary school began planning their SY 2024-2025 Respect campaigns, creating awareness surrounding incidents of bias and discrimination.
Inclusivity Teams
The LPS Inclusivity Teams grew over 40% over the course of SY 2023-2024, with 7 secondary and 3 elementary school clubs participating in Youth Participatory Action Research projects. Our student teams presented at their pinnacle Inclusivity Summit in May and to the Lynn School Committee in June.
The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion also works in tandem with the SEL, SPED, Data, Assessment, & Accountability, Curriculum & Instruction, Innovation & Grants Management, Multilingual Education, Human Resources, Welcome Center, School Safety, and Health departments to explore opportunities and implement equitable policies and procedures for our staff and students.
The identification of equity gaps and continuing to implement strategies to close them is imperative, as each student and staff member deserves a nurturing school environment that honors them as valued members of the Lynn Public Schools family.
Robert Bishop, LICSW
Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Lynn Public Schools
100 Bennett Street
Lynn, MA 01905
(781) 477-7220 x 3218
[email protected]