US Student Equity & Diversity Leadership Program

US STUDENT EQUIT Y & DIVER SIT Y LE ADER SHIP PRO G R AM 2020–2021

In the Upper School,

many students have been

consistently involved and interested in dialogue and leadership regarding matters of identity & inclusion, equity, diversity, and social justice.

Many students have been active in affinity groups and clubs, attend regional and national diversity conferences, lead assemblies, pursue certain courses, and attend various dialogue gatherings. The US Student Equity & Diversity Leadership Program allows students to chart a pathway

for deepening and developing leadership.

Students who elect to be a part of the Equity & Diversity Leadership Program will be recognized for regular and successful participation in a range of equity/diversity learning and leadership activities through their high school years.

What does being in this

program involve?

Students who elect to be a part of this program commit to be actively involved in a variety of activities - in alignment with equity and diversity leadership - through their high school years. These include:

Active involvement in diversity clubs and leading equityrelated events, programs and conversations

Active participation in equity-focused dialogue dinners & dialogue days that are offered at school

Attendance at equity/ diversity conferences and bringing that knowledge back to school

Participation in leadership and facilitation trainings where leaders learn how to design and facilitate equity/diversity dialogues

Formal recognition as an active participant and spokesperson for equity and diversity in the Upper School

Choice Activities FOUR REQUIRED PER YEAR. (FOR 2020-2021 THREE REQUIRED).

Conference Attendance There is a tradition of sending students each year to the national Student Diversity Leadership Conference. We recognize this as a valuable experience, yet only a few students who demonstrate exemplary leadership are able to attend. The repertoire of diversity conferences has been expanded for students. In past years, students have participated in ¨ SpeakOut Youth Summit ¨ Teens Talk About Racism ¨ Mid-Atlantic Diversity Conference ¨ Young Men of Color Symposium ¨ (Re)Defining Power Conference for young white men ¨ Diversity Awareness for Students Conference ¨ Womxn of Strength Conference ¨ GSA gatherings in NJ and NYC ¨ Young Asian Leadership Alliance ¨ Latinx Youth Conference ¨ New Jersey Students of Color Conference Additional conference experiences may emerge for students, including the possibility of an “Exploring our Privilege” Conference to be student-led and hosted at D-E.

Lead a Social Identity-Based Group These include affinity groups, culture clubs, clubs for young women that engage in critical topics around social-identity - gender equity, the GSA, INSPIRE, JADE, etc. Leaders should be meeting regularly with their groups, and be consistently committed to good meeting design and facilitation. Please check with Dr. Buggs and/or Ms. Murphy if you are unclear about whether the group you are leading fits in this category.

Develop a New and School-Supported Equity/Diversity Initiative Some examples that students have been working on: ¨ Connecting Black Students, South Asian students, GSA members, etc. from regional schools ¨ Initiating and leading dialogues, e.g. “Being an Ally” in the spring 2020 ¨ Co-creating a diversity conference to be hosted at D-E

Yearly All-Division Full- and Part-Day Programs For the past two years, the US has offered full- and part-day integrated learning programs - Gender Equity Day in Fall 2018, and Connections Day in Spring 2020. Student diversity leaders can be a part of the leadership teams for these days, bringing their equity lenses to the planning and program.

Design and Presentation of Equity/Diversity-Related Events and Assemblies Already, students involve themselves in equity/diversity-related assemblies sponsored by social identity groups or during cultural history months. Students leaders can continue to be supported in this work and to have this be a facet of this proposed leadership program.

Required Activities Regular Participation in the INSPIRE Club

Students who are in the Equity & Diversity Leadership Program are asked to be a part of the weekly INSPIRE club coordinated by student leaders, with Ms. Murphy and Dr. Buggs as advisors. INSPIRE will be the “hub” of regular equity/diversity dialogue and leadership for D-E upper school students. If you cannot attend INSPIRE regularly because of an existing commitment during that meeting time, please let Dr. Buggs and Ms. Murphy know that towards the beginning of each year.

Dialogue Days or Dialogue Dinners At least two per year.

(For 2020-2021 at least one per year)

These day-long, conference-like experiences are scheduled to happen a few times a year, in the fall and spring, as opportunities for students to have full-day intensive, “real-talk” dialogues about matters of power, identity and action for change. Dialogue Day offer opportunities to learn and talk about matters of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, or current events.

After School Dialogues are opportunities for students whose schedules allow them to dedicate this time.

Dialogue Days & Dialogue Dinners can be designed and facilitated by: ¨ Student leaders ¨ Teachers ¨ Hired facilitators from outside of our community.

Training for Leaders in Facilitation and Dialogue At least once per semester. (For 2020-2021 at least one per year).

Three to four times per year, students will be invited to attend facilitation and leadership workshops. These will give students opportunities to build their critical thinking, dialogue across difference, and leadership skills.

Mid-Year and End-of-Year Reflections Two times per year.

Students will create a short written piece, video, presentation, piece of art or performance that shares the details of their equity and diversity leadership work and their reflections upon that work. The first of these reflections are due when we return from Winter Break in January, and the second should be submitted at the end of each year.

Recognizing Student Participants Students who are involved in the Equity & Diversity Leadership program will be publicly recognized for their participation. Student members will be included in special events and happenings such as: ¨ Special dinners and presentations with social justice thinkers ¨ Equity-related honors and recognitions ¨ Opportunities to be in dialogue with teachers and administrators regarding the equity work in the school ¨ Seniors will be recognized for their participation and special contribution to the school’s mission.

Some Recommended Courses/Academic Work (OPTIONAL)

Human Development ¨ Introduction to Ethnic Studies ¨ SAGE ¨ Peer Mentors ¨ Introduction to Asian American Studies

Independent Study ¨ Interdisciplinary Projects

Summer Connections ¨ Civil Rights Movement course (offered through D-E 360 in the summer)

English ¨ Gender and Identity ¨ Jewish Literature ¨ Literature of the Islamic World ¨ We Gon’be Alright: Writing by Black Men ¨ Women in the World ¨ Women of the Caribbean ¨ Beyond Empire: Postcolonial Literature ¨ From “Them” to “Us”: Contemporary Women’s Literature ¨ The Harlem Renaissance ¨ Latin American Magical Realism

¨ A Nation Divided: Korean Literature ¨ Native Voices: Story and History ¨ South African Voices ¨ Tradition and Transition: Modern Chinese Literature ¨ Writing by Black Women

History ¨ U.S. History: Ethnicity, Class, and Gender ¨ African-American History ¨ The Holocaust ¨ Power & Identity: Past & Present ¨ Death, Sex, & Gods

Ethics ¨ World Philosophy ¨ Bioethics

Language ¨ Literature of the Francophone World ¨ Culture of Pre-Colombian Societies ¨ Spanish: Hispanic Studies, Latin America ¨ Latin American Feminist Voices ¨ Spanish Level 6 H: Language & Culture ¨ Spanish Level 6 H: Spanish and Latin American Literature

For additional program information please contact Dr. Mirangela Buggs by Email at: buggsm@d-e.org

Dwight-Englewood School 315 Ea s t Pa lis a d e Aven u e, E n g l ewo o d , N J 0 7 6 3 1 w w w. d - e. o rg

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(201) 569-9500