Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

List of 4 items.

• Recent School Programming

  • Learning for Justice Standards
    Implemented in the Middle School Leadership and Social Justice class, the Social Justice Standards act as a framework for anti-bias education. They provide a common language and organizational structure educators can use to guide curriculum development to make schools more just and equitable.
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
    We are proud to announce we will have student clubs and adult affinity spaces, starting September 2021.
  • SEED 
    
    The National SEED Project is a peer-led professional development program that creates conversational communities to drive personal, organizational, and societal change toward greater equity and diversity. We do this by training individuals to facilitate ongoing seminars within institutions and communities where they are employees or members, in order to create momentum toward social justice. SEED leaders design their seminars to include personal reflection and testimony, listening to others' voices, and learning experientially and collectively. Through this methodology, SEED equips us to connect our lives to one another and to society at large by acknowledging systems of oppression, power, and privilege.
    
    
    Our faculty/staff SEED group is starting its 6th year, and our parent community has finished their first year. We look forward to expanding the program to students in the fall of 2022.
  • Professional Development for our adult community:
    • Just Cause
      The issues explored throughout this interactive diversity program led to discussion about how we each view diversity topics in today’s society and in our own lives.
    • Gender Spectrum
      By providing this training for our faculty and staff, we show our commitment to the celebration of all people. We are committed to creating gender-sensitive and inclusive environments for all children at our school. 

• Ongoing Initiatives

  • DEI Board Committee implementation
    Align DEI strategic plans at both the teacher and Board level.

  • Curriculum review
    Complete over the next 3-5 years.
    Will begin with Social Studies and Math in 2021/2022.
  • Social Emotional Learning (SEL) 
    We care about the people our students will become. From pre-k to eighth grade, Episcopal Day’s core values - moral courage, service, respect, and compassion - are woven into the fabric of our program. We are committed to the social and emotional health and well-being of each of our students.
  • Pollyanna Curriculum
    Pollyanna is a DEI curriculum designed to enhance cultural competency, racial literacy, and equity practices. We implement this program through our Service Learning Projects that vary according to grade level.
  • DEI Highlights Week
    A weeklong celebration to showcase student work and highlight how we weave DEI into our curriculum. (March 1, 2022)
    Tour our Virtual Arts Walk from last year.
    
  • DEI Strategic Plan to be published January 2022.
  • Inclusive chapel services
    Our religion program has a strong focus on DEI within the curriculum.
    At Episcopal Day, fewer than 15% of the students are Episcopalian. Our student body is comprised of students representing various religious backgrounds, including but not limited to Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, interfaith families, and those with no particular faith tradition.
    
    Our program nurtures the spiritual development of children with respect for their family’s religious traditions. We teach the moral lessons and stories of the Judeo-Christian Scriptures as well as World Religions.

• Communications

  • Announcing new Full-time Director of DEI 
  • NAIS AIM:
    National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) provides schools with a deep understanding of the climate of inclusion on their campus.
    
    We have completed an AIM and are working on initiatives toward diversity, equity, and inclusion that are crucial to our school’s success. 

  
  
  

   

• Resources/Opportunities

  • DEIJ Weekly Resources 
    Updated each week on the parent portal.
    
    
  • NAIS People of Color ConferenceThe NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC) is the flagship of the National Association of Independent Schools' commitment to equity and justice in teaching, learning, and organizational development. The mission of the conference is to provide a safe space for leadership, professional development, and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.
    
    
  • White Privilege ConferenceThe White Privilege Conference provides a challenging, collaborative and comprehensive experience.  We strive to empower and equip individuals to work for equity and justice through self and social transformations. 
    
    
  • CATDC (California Teachers Development Collaborative)

    The mission of the CATDC is similar to our own. We are proud to be in partnership.

    • Promote opportunities for development and professional growth
    • Support collaboration between educators and schools
    • Inspire teachers to become leaders
      
      
  • POCIS Member School (People of Color in Independent Schools of Northern California)
    

    People of Color In Independent Schools of Northern California supports the academic achievement, professional development and advancement, self-determination, and well-being of students, families, and adults of color in PK-12 Bay Area schools.