The School Committee on Monday announced the schedule for its Listening Series, which it describes as “targeted office hours to help the School Committee hear directly from specific sectors of our school community about their lived experiences, challenges, successes and concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion.”

The series kicks off this Sunday, Aug. 1, and runs through Tuesday, Aug. 24. The schedule is as follows:
Sunday, Aug. 1: BIPOC (black, indigenous and other people of color) students and families (Zoom);
Tuesday, Aug. 3: Single parents and socioeconomically disadvantaged families (Zoom);
Sunday, Aug. 8: LGBTQIA+ students and families;
Tuesday, Aug. 10: English learners and families (ELPAC);
Sunday, Aug. 15: Families/students receiving supports through IEP or 504 plans (SEPAC);
Tuesday, Aug. 17: Advanced learners and their families (ALPAC);
Sunday, Aug. 22: Students and families whose school experience has been impacted by religious beliefs and/or practices;
Tuesday, Aug. 24: Open session for those who were not able to attend a relevant session and/or for those who identify with a group not listed above.

Attendees will be invited to “share their experiences, highlight concerns, identify successes, and make suggestions for ways to improve student experience,” the committee stated. “Better understanding the experiences of our students and families will be helpful as the School Committee sets the budget and policies for the coming year.”

Zoom links will be accessible through the School Committee webpage, the town calendar and school listserv emails. Anyone with questions or difficulty connecting can email School Committee Chair Nancy Cavanaugh at ncavanaugh@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.