For Immediate Release

Friday, Oct. 13, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Oyster River Cooperative School District to Host Community Forum on Diversity

DURHAM — Superintendent James Morse is pleased to announce that the Oyster River Cooperative School District will host a Community Forum on Diversity later this month. 

The forum will approach the issue of diversity from numerous perspectives, giving community members a chance to self-reflect on diversity in all of its forms. The event on Oct. 25 will begin with a community supper from 5-6:30 p.m., with the forum set to follow at 7 p.m.  It will be held in the cafeteria at Oyster River High School.

“This forum will give us a chance to take an introspective look at how our community can better appreciate and understand our differences and one another,” Superintendent Morse said. “Our core values require us to respond fully and directly to instances of intolerance, and I look forward to bringing parents, community members and staff together to discuss these issues and chart a shared path forward.”

A distinguished panel of Oyster River parents, University of New Hampshire students and a representative from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will discuss inclusiveness and sensitivity to differences with regard to race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and physical disability. 

The panel will be moderated by New Hampshire Disproportionate Minority Contact Director Andrew Smith, who has been working with Oyster River staff members to conduct diversity and inclusion training.

About the Oyster River Cooperative School District:

New Hampshire SAU 5, the Oyster River Cooperative School District serves 2,100 students in Durham, Lee and Madbury. It is one of the oldest cooperative districts in the state. The Oyster River Cooperative School District has a long history of providing excellent educational opportunities for its students. The District is committed to and supportive of quality education. This commitment and support have helped the district recruit and maintain an excellent teaching staff and outstanding administrative leadership team.

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