Lexington C.A.R.E.S.
Fact Sheet: Timeline -- Diversity in Lexington
Religious, Racial, Ethnic, Sexual Orientation
- c1955-65
- Lexington Civil Rights
Committee researches treatment of black families in the local housing
market, works to remedy the biases found.
- c1960
- 1966
- Lexington becomes one of
the initial towns in the METCO program
- 1993
- "Individuality and
Diversity" adopted as a Core Value of Lexington Public Schools
(LPS). The stated goal is "helping all members of the school
community learn to respect human differences." Lexington CORE
(Coalition for Racial Equality) founded; sponsors first unity walk on
Martin Luther King Sunday.
- 1996
- Bridges program, which
brings Lexington children, teachers and adults to Roxbury for arts and
culture tours & neighborhood events, is founded. Lexington
joins the EMI (Empowering Multicultural Initiatives) consortium to
"combat racism and educate young people of color effectively."
- 1999
- Working group begins to
review GLBT issues in schools and to make recommendations for making
schools safe and welcoming for all. LHS faculty meeting focuses
on GLBT issues at high school.
- 1990-2000
- The number of
foreign-born immigrants living in Lexington increases by over
35%. New residents list the schools and the welcoming nature of
the town as reasons for moving here.
- 2000
- Lexington's Board of
Selectmen endorses the
No Place For Hate
program, created by the
Anti-Defamation League together with the Massachusetts Municipal
Association, to promote a prejudice-free community. NPFH becomes
an active, ongoing coalition in town.
- LPS holds training for
kindergarten teachers and librarians to discuss families curriculum and
assess library holdings around GLBT issues.
- Many faith communities,
civic groups, and town entities (Department of Public Schools, the
Board of Selectmen, the Police Department) support "Respecting
Differences," a weekend of events designed to raise awareness in town
about issues that affect the safety of and welcome received by gay and
lesbian people and their families. An ongoing coalition emerges
to continue educational efforts.
- 2001
- Books and resources
including gay and lesbian people purchased for LPS libraries. 90%
of LPS administrators and 130 teachers have received EMI
anti-racist/anti-bias training by this year.
- 2002
- LPS Superintendent sends
memo to all staff re: "Helping all students, staff and families feel
accepted in our schools." Lexington Educational Foundation (LEF)
grants are awarded to fund: EMI training for additional teachers;
Diversity Book Bags at Estabrook & Hastings Elementary Schools
(building on a program initiated at Harrington Elementary); and,
"Supporting Welcoming Schools" (anti-bias training for parents.)
- LICA welcomes Hindu,
Muslim and Buddhist representatives; sponsors programs on these
religions for LPS administrators; and, also tries (unsuccessfully) to
resolve Crèche-on-the-Green dispute
- 2003
- LEF funds Diversity Book
Bags at Bridge Elementary and expanded multi-cultural library offerings
at Bowman Elementary.