The Students We ServeTimothy SimsHPS New Teacher Orientation

What do you know about the students we serve?

What do you want to know?

Cultural Competence vs. Deficit Thinking

• Cultural Competence• Recognize Strengths

• Deficit Thinking• Focus on perceived

gaps

A little history…• Hickory Public Schools (aka Hickory City Schools) established in

1903• Originally 2 schools (segregated)• Desegregation lawsuit in 1968• We remain under that student assignment plan.

HPS today

• 9 Schools• 4381 Students• 5 Elementary• 2 Middle Schools• 1 High School• 1 Magnet and

Alternative MS/HS

HPS is a diverse system

• 47% White• 22% Black• 21% Hispanic• 5% Multi-racial*• 5% Asian

HPS Student Demographics by Ethnicity

Hickory Public Schools Demographics

Hispanic21%

Black22%

White47%

Asian5%

Multi Racial5%

Jenkins

Asian5%

Hispanic15%

Black12%

White62%

Tw o or More6%

Longview

Asian6%

Hispanic33%

Black27%

White28%

Tw o or More6%

Oakwood

Asian1%

Hispanic25%

Black15%

White52%

Two or More7%

Southwest

Asian11%

Hispanic25%

Black23%

White35%

Tw o or More6%

Viewmont

Asian3%

Hispanic19%

Black21%

White48%

Two or More9%

Grandview

Asian5%

Hispanic16%

Black24%

White49%

Tw o or More6%

Northview

Asian3%

Hispanic21%

Black22%

White49%

Tw o or More5%

Hickory Career and Arts Magnet

Asian1% Hispanic

14%

Black38%

White44%

Tw o or More3%

Hickory High

Asian6%

Hispanic13%

Black26%

White51%

Tw o or More4%

What does this mean to you as a teacher?

We are economically diverse as well…

• 62% of our students receive free or reduced lunch

• Home life varies:• Homeless• Public housing• Apartments• Homes valued over

$500,000

Free and reduced lunch in the schools

• Jenkins 46%• Longview 96%• Oakwood 56%• Southwest 84%• Viewmont 67%• Grandview 66%• Northview 54%• Hickory High49%• HCAM 74%

What does this mean to you as a teacher?

We enjoy linguistic diversity as well

Arabic

Cantonese

Chinese

Farsi

German

Gujarati

Hindi/Urdu

Hmong

Italian

Japanese

Korean

Lao/Laotian

Malayalam

Ojibiwa

Portuguese

Romanian

Russian

Spanish

Telugu

Vietnamese

Our children come from many countries

• China• Columbia• Costa Rica• Dominican Republic• El Salvador• Honduras• India• Mexico

• Nicaragua• Pakistan• Peru• Romania• Thailand• Vietnam

What does this mean to you as a teacher?

We are diverse in other ways• Exceptionalities• Giftedness• Talents• Skills• Learning Styles• Religious Beliefs

What does this mean to you as a teacher?

You have resources outside your school…• Dr. Denise Patterson Chief Academic Officer• Amanda Byrd EC/AIG Director• Angela Simmons Student Services• Tim Sims Federal Programs• Shawn Clemons Accountability• Trina Williams CTE Coordinator• Terri Hall Technology. Specialist• Dr. Bobbi Siefert Curriculum Specialist• Jennifer Griffin Curriculum Specialist • Hollie Price EC Program Specialist

We have great community support!

• NAACP• Conflict Resolution

Center• Centro Latino• Patrick Beaver Learning

Resource Center• Rotary

• Science Center• Health Department• Arts Council• DSS• PTA • Lions Club

Let us know how we can support you!• What do you need?