South Brunswick School Board Passes Resolution in Support of Diversity

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - At their meeting this past Monday night, the South Brunswick Board of Education unanimously passed a Resolution of Affirmation supporting the diversity of the South Brunswick student body.

The resolution was born out of a town hall "unity" meeting held at the Islamic Society of Central Jersey on Jan. 14, Board president Harry Delgado said.

"The event addressed concerns and safety for the members of the Muslim community and others," said Delgado Monday night. "This one deals specifically with affirming our commitment to caring for every child that is placed into our care."

The resolution reads as follows:

1. WHEREAS, the South Brunswick School District both embodies and embraces community and student diversity, and
WHEREAS, the corresponding culture and climate of our public schools are enriched through a multitude of beliefs, ideas and approaches, and
WHEREAS, the recent national political rhetoric that speaks to limitations and restrictions based upon ethnicity, religious beliefs and national origins raises the specter of exclusion, discrimination and isolationism, and
WHEREAS, South Brunswick School District, as a New Jersey public school, operates in accordance with all federal and state statutory mandates that require a free and appropriate public education for all children, and
WHEREAS, the time-honored and long-standing principles that form the cornerstone of our democracy are predicated on a system of free public schools for all,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Brunswick Board of Education wants to affirm its commitment to all children who enter our schools, that they are welcomed with open arms to engage in world-class educational opportunities, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the South Brunswick Board of Education reaffirms its commitment to provide safe and stimulating learning places for all students, regardless of ethnicity, religious beliefs or country of origin, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the South Brunswick Board of Education offers its fervent pledge, while operating within the laws that govern public education, to uphold the ideals of public education, to continue to embrace the richness of our diversity and to represent the educational needs of all of our students regardless of race, creed or national origin.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
February 6, 2017

The South Brunswick Human Relations Commission also released the following statement this week:

The South Brunswick Township Council would like to make the residents of South Brunswick aware of the existence of the South Brunswick Human Relations Commission (SBHRC).
The purpose of the SBHRC is to support and strengthen the South Brunswick Community by:

* Promoting good will

* Fostering cooperation and respect amongst individuals and groups
* Seeking ways to eliminate all types of discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation
* Providing educational and cultural programs that further the goals of the commission
Anyone who feels he or she has been the victim of a bias crime or incident in the township, should contact the South Brunswick Police at 732-329-4646.
The Human Relations Commission can be contacted by email at SouthBrunswickHRC@gmail.com