We are thrilled to announce the inaugural Christina School District Belonging Conference, taking place June 23–26, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily at Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy. This four-day professional learning experience marks a powerful milestone in our district’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).

This year’s Belonging Conference will convene Christina School District staff members and invited educators from neighboring districts. Each day will feature dynamic keynotes by national speakers, interactive panel discussions, and collaborative workshops, all centered on student identity, voice, and inclusion as essential components of educational equity.  

Participants will:

• Deepen their understanding of racial and cultural literacy
• Build and refine DEIB-informed practices for classrooms, schools, and departments
• Engage in practical, implementation-focused sessions to drive sustainable change
• Connect with peers across the district to reflect, plan, and envision the upcoming school year

Educators will select from two professional learning tracks:

• DEIB Train-the-Trainer Program (for Equity Coordinators who have completed CSD’s DEIB Learning Modules)
• General Track Sessions, featuring:
  
  • Addressing Disproportionality in Discipline and Behavior
  • Family and Community Engagement Through an Equity Lens
  • Culturally Responsive Student Supports in Special Education
  • Culturally Responsive Lesson Planning and Delivery
  • Brave New Community

All tracks will be led by our partners at WestEd and Dr. Janine DeNovais, both known for their expertise and practical approaches to creating equity in education. We’ve had the pleasure of working with both over the past three years as part of our ongoing equity journey.

We encourage our educators to view this conference not just as a learning opportunity, but as a time for reflection, connection, and intentional preparation for a strong start to the 2025–2026 school year. As we enter the summer months, participants will leave with new tools, renewed inspiration, and the confidence to continue their learning journey through self-paced summer study and forward-thinking planning.

Welcome to the Christina School District (CSD)— where education meets opportunity for over 14,000 students across Delaware’s vibrant communities. Proudly serving the City of Newark, its surrounding suburbs, and a portion of the City of Wilmington, our district is more than just a school system; it’s a thriving community dedicated to inspiring growth, curiosity, and success.

With 3 early education centers, 14 elementary schools, 2 combined elementary/middle schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 comprehensive high schools, we provide a diverse range of learning environments tailored to meet the needs of every student. Our commitment goes beyond traditional education — we are home to specialized programs such as the Brennen School, CSD Virtual Academy, Delaware School for the Deaf, Douglass School, REACH Program, Middle School Honors Academy at Christiana High School, Networks School for Employability Skills, and Sarah Pyle Academy, ensuring all students have the support and resources necessary to thrive.

At Christina, our mission is clear:  to improve student outcomes and give every student opportunities to learn in an academically challenging, safe, equitable, and nurturing school environment. We believe that education is a partnership — one that includes parents, caregivers, and families as essential collaborators in the journey toward student success.

Employing over 3,300 dedicated professionals, the Christina School District is committed to empowering every learner to reach their full potential.