MSAN Conference 2015

Madison, WI

Presentation/Project by: Solomon Osayi Roller

MSAN Conference Theme

Theme: Exploring Deeper Roots
Conference Dates: October 7-10, 2015
MSAN: Minority Student Achievement
Network
Hosted by Verona Area School District

Pre-Conference Preparation
Summer Retreat with Dr. Irby: A handful of
us scholars came to the two day retreat in
early August along with the whole VAHS staff
to work with Dr. Irby on looking at the root
problems at our school.
We as students actively participated, shared
our voices, and helped create a segment of
the large action plan for our school. We
wrote our part on what students needed to
commit to
Dr. Irby implemented I statements, Root
Cause Analysis, and turning Complaints
(which come from passion) into finding
Solutions.

Pre-Conference Preparation
A day after the retreat with staff, MSAN scholars had a
day to plan and work with Dr. Irby in preparing and
understanding the material for hosting the conference.
This was not required, but I showed up to be fully
committed to this cause

Conference Planning with MSAN Scholars

For two weeks, all MSAN Verona scholars met every- day at
A+ period to plan, practice, and understand our goals and
the material.
We went over material such as Dr. Irbys pre- conference
readings, practicing how we would present Root Cause
Analysis, and our table guidelines
Each MSAN scholar would run their own table so we went
over the table guidelines and practiced facilitating
We practiced our speeches for introducing Keynote speakers
and transitions between break times and icebreakers

How the Theme was chosen

This was a student generated theme from previous
work last summer with Dr. Decoteau Irby. Chosen by
one of our own scholars, Demetu.
Hosting this conference took a whole year of
planning
Exploring Deeper Roots
- Expose the roots that cause racial inequities
- Embrace the roots of who you are
- Empower yourself to take action

District Crew

Verona MSAN Scholars and Hosts of the Conference

Facilitator Table Guidelines

(Waiting on guidelines from Mrs. Hale)

Student Icebreakers (5 activities)

At this point, all the adults left the room and it was time for us
Verona facilitators to run the icebreakers. This was a way to break
the ice and help us students to get to know each other better. For
each icebreakers Verona students led and transitioned them.
Activity #1: Fun Facts
- Each table was given a bunch of starbursts
- Everyone takes the amount they want, then they share based on the
colors they chose.
- Orange= Something at your school, Red= Family & Friends,
Pink=Biggest Passions or Causes, Yellow= Things that make you happy

Student IceBreakers
Activity #2: What Do We Have in Common?
-

Student were split into pairs with people they didnt know
Given 1 minute to find 5 things in common
Put two pairs together, given 1 minute to find 1 thing in common
Each group presents what they have in common

Activity #3: Heads, Hands, Heart & Human

-

Next to each word students represent them in any way they want
Word, drawing, symbol, etc.
Hands= things they are good at doing
Head= things they know a lot about
Heart= things they are passionate about
Human= things they can do/change with other people

Student IceBreakers
Activity #4: What Do We Love?
-

Goal: to learn students favorite things

Each participant write down their favorite topics
Sheets are collected and read, students guess list of favorites
Break into sections of the room in groups for students to see
similar and different interests

Student Speakers
Each Verona MSAN scholar had the opportunity to be a
student speaker which most of us were.
Assigned specific keynote speakers and presenters to
introduce
We did the research on the speakers, found the
information needed, and wrote our speeches

Keynote Speakers
Inspiring keynote speakers came
to speak at the conference about
our theme and addressing issues
- They came in response to us
student planners
Keynote Speakers: Reverend
Everett Mitchell, Dr. Decoteau
Irby, Roberto Rivera, and
Reverend Dr. Alex Gee Jr.

First Wave
First Wave Hip Hop & Urban Arts Learning Community
Cutting-edge multicultural artistic program
Offering an immense amount of opportunities for
undergraduate scholarship recipients so that they can
live, study, and create in a close family-live community
First Wave performed as the band Me EN You including a
lot of singing and spoken word.
I was the student speaker set to introduce First Wave

First Wave Open Mic

-First Wave gave us the opportunity to go on stage whether
to share spoken word, rap, sing, dance, anything artistic.
They had music playing in the background to set the mood.
-I had the chance to go on stage with four people as a
cypher. I was gonna dance, but at the last minute I felt the
urge to sing. So I improv sang from my heart.
-Along with me, two others Verona Scholars and a couple
other students from districts went up for spoken word,
rap, and one other guy sang as well.
http://msan.wceruw.org/conferences/studentConf.html

Interviews/Media Coverage
Students were chosen for
one-on-one interviews
Taken into rooms and spoke
about conference goals and
theme
Media Coverage: Local and
State

Representation of Multiple Perspectives

African American & Latino
speakers
White, Asian, Native American
Men & Women
LGBTQ+
First Wave: Student performers

Root Cause Analysis

Pre-conference readings set the stage for having convers- ations
about inequities in our learning environments, developing a
positive racial identity and disrupting racism, and committing to
sustaining equity work for our districts and communities.
Next, analyzed school data to look for patterns
- observations on academic, behavior/discipline, perception data
Talk about...why students perform the way they are (consider
only school factors that school can control)
Talk about...what in our systems are practices is causing students
to encounter these challenges

Root Cause Analysis

Process: Start from the top and work down to roots
Branches - Outcomes of school practices
Trunk (Climate)- How we feel about what we do?
The Ground (Culture)- What we do (or not do) and embraced
values
Root (Underlying Reasons/ Root Causes)- Why we do what we do
(unspoken beliefs)?

Results of our Root Cause Analysis

Root Issue: Lack of Equity and Inclusion:
VASDs definition of success are not being met by all students,
whether due to lack of engagement, positive reinforcement, or
opportunities
Goals: ensure everyone has resources to be successful!
Restructure Behavioral Management in VAHS
Create and Support More Cultural Awareness and Diversity in
Verona
Reduce the Achievement Gap, increase resources and challenges

Wildcat Action Plan

the following slides...

Behavioral Management
1. Clarify the meaning of disrespect
(it is not written in handbook. )
2. Do not kick kids out of class
3. Board of Peers (student jury)
4. Student Ambassadors: Solutions not suspensions"
talk more at teacher meetings
5. Connect more with teachers

Achievement Gap
1. More underrepresented students in AP classes
2. AP Assembly panel of students - you can do this!
3. A+ student help - overall support
4. Give ELL students more opportunities - moving toward
more rigor and learning opportunities!

Multi-Cultural Awareness

Student Organizations Meeting

Implement a Multi-Cultural Week

Hosted by MCLC
Conducted before Multicultural Showcase
Would consist of every student organization/club in VAHS

Would be hosted before the Multicultural Showcase

Five days of culturally relevant activities and food

Create a Safe, Culturally Relevant Space for the Arts

Have a space and time for a student organization dedicated to celebrate cultural diversity through
dance, poetry, music, art, and more activities
Would be supported by student organizations/clubs that are culturally relevant

Health Review
Inclusive health and sex ed - difference between sex
and gender, pronouns, Red Cross chapter.
Integration of community and school - support in school
and community outreach.

Support

Student support - Creating safe places, clubs, deeper

roots in LGBQT community and other minority
communities.
Parent support - education, support, community building
for parents
Staff support - education

Learning Targets
Learning Targets

SOCIAL REASONING LEARNING TARGETS (20 Required): Issues of

Public Concern (Required)
SOCIAL REASONING LEARNING TARGETS (20 Required): Rights and
Responsibilities

Project Skills

LEADERSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS: Creativity and Innovation

LEADERSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS: Flexibility and Adaptability
LEADERSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS: Initiative and Self-Direction
LEADERSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS: Leadership and Responsibility
LEADERSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS: Productivity and Accountability
LEADERSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS: Social and Cross-Cultural Skills