Webster Groves is the 37th school to join the Ambassador School Program
The St. Louis Mosaic Project is pleased to announce that Webster Groves School District (WGSD) is the latest school district to join its Ambassador School Program. Mosaic’s Ambassador School program encourages member schools to reinforce an internationally welcoming and inclusive culture through pledges unique to each school. Joining the Mosaic Ambassador School program will help WGSD strengthen and enhance its diversity and equity programs.
“We are excited to partner with the St. Louis Mosaic Project because this relationship will allow us to further enhance a welcoming community for our international families. Our schools must be welcoming to everyone – students, families, staff, and community members.” Shane Williamson, Webster Groves School District.
From a multilingual website, to providing certificates for becoming proficient in at least two languages, WGSD continues to express and demonstrate its commitment to creating an equitable learning environment for all children, staff, and families. The district’s effort to be more culturally inclusive is shown in its curriculum, events, and eagerness to improve its diversity, equity, and inclusion. The school district was also awarded the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy which encourages students to become literate in more than one language.
In addition, the district plans to continue hosting events and programs that are designed to educate and celebrate people from all cultures. The district created a Cultural Calendar, which educates students, teachers, and families on cultural celebrations, national and international holidays, and it includes curriculum resources for all grade levels. As a Mosaic Ambassador School, WGSD will continue its welcoming effort by working with community partners such as the International Institute of St. Louis and other agencies important to its international students. The school created the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position in 2020, which shows the school’s recruitment, hiring, and support of culturally competent personnel in its programs. The DEI director works on the ongoing DEI professional development plan for all employees in hopes that it makes all students and families feel welcome.
“The St. Louis Mosaic Project team is very proud to present WGSD as an Ambassador School. We look forward to working with WGSD in future efforts to implement welcoming programs for its foreign-born students and families.” Annie J Mbale, Project Manager.
About Webster Grove School District
WGSD is a public school district in and around Webster Groves, Missouri, west of St. Louis. The school serves students in neighboring communities, including Webster Groves, Rock Hill, and parts of Glendale, Shrewsbury and Warson Woods. The district has over 4,409 students and contains nine schools: The Walter Ambrose Family Center, Avery Elementary, Bristol Elementary, Clark Elementary, Edgar Road Elementary, Givens Elementary, Hudson Elementary, Hixson Middle and Webster Groves High. Some of the WGSD principles are to promote a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment, to hear and value diverse voices and multiple perspectives, and to prioritize personal well-being and the well-being of others. The school district is known for its commitment to excellence and strong support from families. For more information about WGSD, please visit https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/.
About St. Louis Mosaic Project
The St. Louis Mosaic Project was launched in 2012 in response to an economic impact report, outlining St. Louis’s lagging in immigrant growth as well as highlighting the economic benefits of increasing its foreign-born population. The Mosaic Project is a regional initiative that is professionally managed by St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, World Trade Center St. Louis, and a 32-member committee. The St. Louis Mosaic Project’s goal is to transform St. Louis into the fastest-growing major metropolitan area for immigration by 2025, to design and support regional attraction strategies, and to promote regional prosperity through immigration and innovation. For more information about The St. Louis Mosaic Project, please visit www.StlMosaicProject.org.
Contact
Annie J Mbale
Project Manager
St. Louis Mosaic Project
[email protected]
Shane Williamson
Webster Groves School District
[email protected]
