DEAI stands for Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion. These core principles reflect Newtown Public Schools’ commitment to fostering a welcoming, affirming, and high-achieving environment for all.

• Diversity means recognizing and honoring the unique identities, backgrounds, and experiences that each member of our school community brings.
• Equity is about ensuring that every student and staff member has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed—acknowledging that different individuals may need different levels of support.
• Accessibility involves removing barriers—whether physical, academic, linguistic, or technological—so all individuals can fully participate in school life.
• Inclusion ensures that every person feels seen, heard, respected, and meaningfully engaged in learning and school culture.

Together, these values guide our actions and decisions so that every student, staff member, and family feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive in Newtown Public Schools.

While DEAI work is deeply rooted in our educational mission, it’s important to clarify what it is not:

• It is not a political agenda - it’s about creating supportive, respectful learning environments for all.
• It is not about blame or shame - it focuses on learning, growth, and shared responsibility.
• It is not a one-time initiative - DEAI is an ongoing commitment to improvement.
• It is not a replacement for academic rigo - it strengthens learning by ensuring all students can access and engage with high expectations.
• It is not about serving only one group - it is designed to support the success and well being of every member of our school community.

Our long-term goal is to build a school system where every student and staff member is valued, included, and supported. By operationalizing DEAI work across classrooms, leadership, policies, and practices, we aim to improve student outcomes and school culture districtwide.

We believe that creating welcoming and inclusive school environments is essential for academic success and social-emotional well-being. Our DEAI efforts aim to:

• Ensure every student feels a sense of belonging
• Strengthen equitable access to resources and opportunities
• Support staff professional learning in inclusive practices
• Use data and feedback to continuously improve

Schools have been:

• Identifying Equity Leaders who support DEAI efforts in their buildings
• Setting school-based goals that align with our district’s DEAI vision
• Participating in professional learning around inclusive teaching and leadership practices
• Using surveys and student voice to better understand school climate and culture

We’re using multiple tools and methods to monitor progress, including: 

• Staff, Student and Family Climate and Culture Surveys
• Anecdotal feedback from staff, students and families
• School School Success Plans
• Regular check-ins with Equity Leaders and school teams
• Quarterly reports to the  DEAI SubCommittee

These allow us to reflect, adjust, and stay accountable.