Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

The mission of Furlow Charter School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee is to promote, support, and celebrate the diversity of the Furlow family.  We meet monthly, working with all stakeholders (parents, students, FCS employees, and the local community) to assure that Furlow is weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into our values, curriculum, and opportunities. The committee endeavors to ensure that everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to achieve.  We understand that diversity in all areas of our operations makes us better learners and invaluable to Sumter County as citizens of the world.

We welcome volunteers from our community. For more information please contact Laura McConatha, DEI Committee Board Representative, e-mail: lmcconatha@furlowcharter.org

The DEI Committee has been combined with the Resource and Development Committee and meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, with the exception of June, at 4:15 pm in the Furlow Charter School Media Center.

Furlow Charter School’s mission states that we are committed to fostering cultural awareness, social responsibility, and academic excellence through family and community involvement in the development of life-long learners.  We understand that now more than ever it is vital that we live this mission.

We unequivocally condemn all forms of racism.  We recognize that the grievances of communities of color are legitimate and it is incumbent upon us to listen, seek to understand, and to be a part of the solution.  We embrace our responsibility as an educational institution to help our students understand these issues and empower them to be positive agents of change.  We recognize that each of us has a responsibility to look inward, examine ourselves and seek every opportunity for growth. 

For the past few years our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Community, which consists of Furlow administrators, advisors, parents, and community members, in concert with the Governing Board, has sought to make Furlow Charter School more equitable and inclusive.  We are proud that Furlow Charter School was the first Peace Certified School in the South, recognized by the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation. While Furlow’s efforts to engage issues of racism and injustice are not new, we recognize that we all must do more. Moving forward, we are committed to this difficult but vital work. In the coming weeks and months we will make available additional resources to the Furlow Community. We hope that you will join us.