Student Equity Makes A Comeback

By: Megan Yang

The first site-based student equity forum started on September 2, 2020 at Golden West High school.

Brandon Gridiron, Administrator of the Equity & Student Services Department For Visalia Unified School District, says, “Our plan is to continue creating a space for student voice.”

Having those spaces for students to share “[is] allowing the change to happen from the students,” adds Gridiron.

Before the student equity forum was made, there was another task force called Student Exclusivity in 2018-2019. This was a space to talk specifically about dress code and students had to apply to be in it.

In 2019-2020, when Gridiron took on the student equity forum, he opened it up for all students to be able to participate.

“When I see a student say, ‘Hey, let’s try this’ and I can help them create some form of change that will later on impact my own children, that’s beautiful,” says Gridiron.

Last year, student equity launched a project called Civic Engagement. The project revolved around getting opportunities and spaces for students to give back to the community.

Gridiron says, “We’re going to be continuing that, but focused mainly on applying for something called The State Seal For Civic Engagement.”

The State Seal For Civic Engagement notices students’ efforts. When students graduate, those awarded will get a State Seal on their diploma. This will, later on, be recognized by colleges, universities, jobs, etc.

Gridiron touched on two other new topics specifically targeted towards students.

School Connection Project:

“One of our goals by 2024, is we want every kid within our district to be connected to at least one positive adult,” says Gridiron.

When kids are connected to someone positive in school, “they’re more likely to do well and be successful.”

Student Dress Code:

Gridiron says, “We’ve palliated a dress code policy this year… really focused on making sure that it was equatable enforcement.”

There will be data taken to the board in December to review the feedback and to make changes, if necessary.

By May or June, there will be another piece of data taken to the board for a final review and adopt the final dress code policy for the year.

When enforcing a dress code, there could be a difference of opinion from various individuals. “You have to think of what is the best interests for the students,” says Gridiron.

“I’m looking forward to meeting kids in person. That’s what I enjoy most about my work. Actually being able to be on sites and fill in that culture, spirit of the school campus, engaging with kids, and getting to know them,” adds Gridiron.

Instead of having a Student Equity forum through zoom, Gridiron is going to come down to high school campuses during lunch and create a space for students to have their voice.

“I enjoy what I do because it reminds me of what someone did for me when I was in school. It reminds me of the educators who helped this little boy that struggled and didn’t really have a lot of confidence… the right people helped me start to believe in myself.”

Brandon Gridiron

Kiley Langford, ’22 has been in the student equity forum since the beginning of the year.

When asked why she decided to join, Langford says, “It is a way for me to connect with some of the student body that I don’t normally get to engage with.”

Student equity is a place for students to come propose ideas and bring up any topic they wish to speak about.

The meetings being welcoming and a place for students to propose ideas, has Langford, “in hopes of being able to hear the opinions of more students.”

This year, Langford is looking forward to having more people join and advertise the forum as an opportunity for the students to feel safe and welcome.

Langford says, “My goal is to consist of many different demographics on campus.”

The student equity forum being new to Redwood campus has Langford in “hoping to make an impact on, not only the students, but the legacy of Redwood.”

Langford adds, “Students should join the equity forum because… not only will [they] be involved but they will also be able to speak about important topics they want to see changed or made better… [this] will allow students to give their input and hopefully enact change.”

Brielle Alvarez, ’22 joined the student equity forum when it was starting on Zoom.

Alvarez remembers wanting to learn more about the behind-the-scenes of the staff, ASB, and being apart of Redwood.

To be apart of the student equity forum again this year, Alvarez says, “I am really excited to learn on how to bring Redwood back to normal.”

Redwood already being “such a great place and [making] an equity forum to include everyone on campus… is really helpful.”

Coming from a student perspective, “A lot of people should join because it’s not just for your own purpose…It’s seeing how staff and students all work together to take problems we have on campus to their own ability,” says Alvarez.

Not only does Alvarez want her friends to be apart of the student equity forum, but she also plans to help “keep that united and family feel of Redwood.”

“It could be really encouraging for students to get involved with our school… Not only that, but to help make their school a better place,” adds Alvarez.

Alejandro Marroquin, Assistant Principal of Redwood High School, says, “I joined [the student equity forum] because I believe in it. I believe that the diversity on our campus is a beautiful thing.”

When it comes to having a voice in school topics or any problems that needs to be addressed, Marroquin “wants everyone to have a seat at the table.”

“In our minds we fill in the blanks of what type of student is at Redwood… [but] it’s about breaking down those stereotypes,” says Marroquin.

When Redwood faced the “devious licks” of students taking school property, “The reason why it was short lived… was students stepped up and shared information… and it allowed administration to put a stop to the trend,” adds Marroquin.

That’s what Marroquin would like to see from the student equity forum. Hearing, “the student voices shape what we do here,” he says.

Eric Rodriguez, Assistant Principal of Redwood High School, says, “I think [being in the student equity forum] is a great experience to hear the concerns and collectively come up with solutions.”

Rodriguez says he joined the forum because he’s new and “wanted to embrace [himself] into the culture and learn much as [he could], so [he] would be able to better support the students.”

Due to COVID-19 happening in the 2019-2020 school year, “we want them to come back into a safe, inviting, engaging, and supportive learning environment,” adds Rodriguez

In order to get a true understanding of what the students think, “[Redwood] needs a larger population,” for the student equity forum.

Lunch being a time where students can talk and hang out with their friends, has Rodriguez, “greatly appreciating [students] spending [it] with [them]… and taking the time once a month [to come to the forum].”

The next meeting will be through zoom on Dec. 9, 2021, from 5:30-7:00 pm.

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