Principles of One Community

 

DJUSD is an important part of the community of Davis, a small, vibrant city of people from many backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences.  As an affirmation of the shared values of the City, the University and the School District, on the anniversary of UC Davis' 100th year, 2008,  representatives of all three institutions jointly developed a renewed Principles of One Community, inspired by the UC Davis Principles of Community from the early 1990's. 

The Principles acknowledge that within the single Davis community there are many different voices, perspectives and purposes, and together they help Davis prosper and flourish.

The Principle document reads as follows:
We affirm that the people of the City of Davis and the students, faculty, and staff of the University of California, Davis constitute one diverse community and strive to sustain one that is united and mutually respectful.

In 1905, the University of California established the University Farm—its first students arriving in 1908—adjacent to Davisville, founded in 1868 and incorporated as the City of Davis in 1917. The University Farm later became the University of California, Davis in 1959. Following the tradition of a land grant university, UC Davis generates, advances and applies knowledge for the betterment of society. UC Davis continues today to provide unique opportunities and together with the citizens of Davis fosters an informed and dynamic college town community.

UC Davis and the City are partners in building and shaping our community. Together they seek to nurture, foster, welcome and recognize students, faculty and staff as members of the community.

As we celebrate UC Davis’ centennial anniversary and a hundred years of shared history, we reflect upon our past and look toward our future with the following basic principles:

  • We affirm our shared responsibility to promote and sustain a united community that acknowledges and celebrates differences.
  • We affirm the inherent value of each and every member of our shared community.
  • We acknowledge that the establishment of our community and its continued development are tied to the cooperation of our respective institutions and the interactions of our fellow citizens based on mutual consideration and respect.
  • We appreciate the diversity of viewpoints held within our community and recognize that our actions and decisions have consequences that impact each other. In recognition of our shared values and mutual interdependence, we strive to make decisions in an open and inclusive manner that respects, nurtures and reflects understanding of the needs and interests of all community members.
  • We maintain an accepting and sensitive community where everyone is free to live, learn, and work without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, age, length or place of residence, or other differences among people. 

The purpose of the Principles of One Community statement is to further strengthen our commitment to the values inherent in both the UC Davis Principles of Community and the City’s Statement on Principles of Community Tolerance. 

Therefore, we affirm these principles of one community and commit ourselves to uphold them in our personal, professional, and community lives .

Op-Ed by Superintendent Best and DJUSD Board President DiNunzio
In the Davis Joint Unified School District, we believe that school is a place where every student should feel safe, welcome and connected. We also know that our community and our society as a whole is at its best when embracing diversity and demonstrating compassion, kindness, and mutual respect.

On February 6, 2025, the DJUSD Board of Education reaffirmed its commitment to the Principles of One Community, which was jointly adopted several years ago by DJUSD, the city of Davis and UC Davis. These principles, which ring just as true now as when they were adopted, acknowledge that within the single community there are many different voices and perspectives, and together they create the rich environment where our students can learn and flourish.

Our schools sit at the center of our community and provide the supports and resources that not only allow students to excel academically, but also enable them to feel healthy, safe, engaged, and valued.

These principles also formed the foundation for the We All Belong Resolution, approved by the DJUSD Board of Education on Feb. 2, 2017, and which provided a clear and transparent statement that DJUSD will be a place where all students, employees, and families feel welcome and safe regardless of their immigration status, race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender expression.

Specifically, it clarifies that the District does not ask about a student’s immigration status or collect information regarding a student’s and/or family’s immigration status when enrolling a student in the District.

It also ensures that any law enforcement official who appears on campus asking to see a student or staff member, or requests information about a student or staff member, will be directed to the superintendent’s office for review of the purpose and legality of their visit.

These safeguards exist to ensure that all students and families, including those that are undocumented or marginalized, are able to receive education in a safe and supportive environment.

In Davis schools, when we say, “We All Belong,” we mean it. We also acknowledge the unfortunate truth that our schools, students and staff experience harm through dehumanizing words, behaviors, writings and symbols that come in many forms, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, sexism, anti-Arab, anti-Asian, anti-immigrant, ableism, anti-LBGTQIA+ and more.

This year, we have students working to combat dehumanizing language. These students, working with staff, are reviewing data and brainstorming ways they can help to make important changes in behavior. We also introduced a new identity-based harm protocol related to vandalism, arson and break-ins, which provides transparent communication and consistent messaging when the harm involves dehumanizing words or symbols.

Let us reassure those in our community, especially in these times of uncertainty and fear for many, that DJUSD will stand firmly rooted in the values of Principles of One Community. We will consistently act in concert with these values and find strength in our sustained responsibility to one another.

Learn more about the Principles of One Community by visiting our webpage at www.djusd.net/OneCommunity. Information about the We All Belong Resolution and related FAQs about DJUSD practices can be found at www.djusd.net/Belong.