Earlier this spring, members of Puget Sound ESD Cabinet, Transformation Team, Strategic Direction Action Team Leads and Strategic Action Team 4, which consists of employees, community partners and families, gathered at the agency to plant a tree! These combined teams focus on partnering with stakeholders on an equity agenda to eliminate the opportunity gap in education and lead with racial equity.
A Native Elder who is a member of the Transformation Team opened the ceremony with a blessing and thanks. The group that gathered answered the question “What are your hopes and wishes to take root in PSESD’s partnerships to support our anti-racism mission?” They verbally shard their sentiments which were also written on paper and included in the ground, covered in soil as the tree was planted firmly on the agency premises.
These hopes and wishes will continue to grow into the roots of this tree, as we know building relationships, trust, and partnership is key to PSESD truly becoming an antiracist, multicultural organization. Through the cycles of the seasons we will grow and change together and become transformed in the process.
