What does EQUITY stand for?

“EQUITY” is an acronym for Excellence, Quality, and Understanding in Instruction of Talented Youth.

What is EQUITY?

EQUITY is an action team of parents dedicated to partnering with teachers, administrators and the community to strengthen the curriculum and extra-curricular activities at UFREMS.

How did EQUITY come into being?

Last Spring, a number of parents with ideas regarding school curriculum and extra-curricular activities came together to discuss growth and change at UFREMS. As a group, we strongly believe in the importance of UFREMS providing a challenging and stimulating academic experience for every student. Our first task was to develop a mission statement and goals that reflect that belief.

What is your mission statement?

EQUITY is a group of parents, educators, students, and community members working together to support educational experiences in the K to 8 environments appropriate to the needs of all children, with an emphasis on those who demonstrate advanced performance or potential. We seek to provide information and support to strengthen and enhance the development of schools and classrooms in which both equity and excellence are persistent goals for each child, enabling each and every child to achieve his or her maximum potential.

Tell me about the timing of the EQUITY action team. Why now?

In the past, a number of committees have made a real difference at UFREMS. The action team is building on those earlier efforts in order to meet the changing needs of our students, school, and society. The community has undergone dramatic growth and development in the last ten years and we want to ensure that UFREMS continues to meet and exceed the criteria of a Blue Ribbon School District. In addition, the opening of the new middle school and renovation of the current school provides an unprecedented opportunity for research, development, and expansion of programs to meet the individual needs of each learner.

Who are the founding members of the EQUITY and how do you see the group evolving as membership grows?

The founding members of EQUITY are Donna Huryn, Diane McGovern, Sue Nolan, Todd Thornton, and Joanne Wireman. As EQUITY evolves, sub-committees will be formed to organize and staff new in-school academic opportunities and after-school academic enrichment activities for grades K to 8. Additional sub-committees may be added to address future issues.

What are the goals of EQUITY right now?

The action team will be a permanent part of the PTA. Our immediate goals include providing enrichment opportunities for every student through in-school, after-school, and summer activities; acting as an informational exchange and sharing group for parents, educators, and our community; maintaining an informational website; developing a resource library; and, advocating and supporting the development of a challenging curriculum for students who demonstrate advanced performance or potential. We are convinced that a partnership between the parents, administration and community is vital to the best interests of our students and school. Working together, we can support and advocate programs within the UFREMS district that increase the opportunities for academic success on the part of each student.

How can interested individuals learn more?

There will be additional information available in the PTA summer mailing, at back-to- school night, and on the school web site. We hope that anyone interested in learning more about EQUITY will join us at our first meeting of the year.

Submitted by:

Todd Thornton

for EQUITY