Windsor High adds diverse titles to 9–12 curriculum after trustees approve novel list

The Windsor Unified Board of Trustees voted to approve a package of novel adoptions for Windsor High School’s 9–12 English program, aiming to broaden cultural representation and classroom relevance.

Annette Zakonei presented the list of proposed titles and explained that the high‑school English department relied on TeachingBooks.net and Common Sense Media for grade‑level guidance and content summaries. Titles proposed included A Dream Called Home (Raina Grande), Solito, Reign of Gold, a Rigoberta Menchú biography, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents and Gods of Jade and Shadow, among others. Zakonei noted some texts had been taught in the district previously.

Trustees asked about potentially sensitive themes flagged in vetting notes; one trustee said the flagged items were thematic references rather than graphic depictions and supported classroom access for older students. The board discussed whether TeachingBooks.net should be formally added as a secondary vetting resource alongside Common Sense Media.

Public comment was invited; no sustained objections were recorded. A motion to approve the recommended list was made and seconded; the board approved the adoptions by voice/roll call and moved the items to the consent list for implementation in the coming school year.

District staff said teachers will consult existing curricular scope and sequence to place the new titles appropriately by grade and that families will be able to preview selections per district practice on controversial or sensitive content.