Gesu School 2021 Symposium | Working Together to Manage Pandemic Stress in Our School Communities

WORKING TOGETHER

to Manage Pandemic Stress in Our School Communities A CONVERSATION WITH MARSHA RICHARDSON, Psy.D. AND JABARI WHITEHEAD, Ed.D. MODERATED BY DARRYL J. FORD, Ph.D.

“I'm scared..."

- Student

"Has my child fallen behind?"

- Parent

“Why are my students acting up?”

– Teacher

11.18.21 AT 5PM ON Z OOM

A NOTE FROM GESU SCHOOL’S

President and CEO Welcome to Gesu School’s 24th Symposium. As a pioneer in urban education, Gesu continues to seek new approaches to better serve all students and to confront the tough issues in education, while remaining committed to sharing key learnings. Our Symposium has become a time-honored tradition for these purposes.

This year’s topic reflects the urgency of addressing the dramatic changes that have recently impacted the educational landscape: student routines in flux, new learning methodologies, and concerns over health and safety. School communities continue adapting to this shifting climate and are tackling similar issues: •

• •

How to help students feel safe at school How to assist staff with self-care How to recognize when students need academic or social support

As we do in education, let us pause and assess. Today’s Symposium provides a forum to recognize what we have endured and learned these last two academic years, and how to apply these experiences to propel forward with intentionality and care. Our speakers will discuss how school communities can effectively support students and families, as well as teachers and staff.

Thank you for participating in today’s dialogue. I hope that our collective conversation generates hope and sparks further discussion in your own school communities.

Peace and blessings,

Bryan Carter | Gesu School President and CEO

About Gesu School

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Gesu School, an independent Catholic school located in North Philadelphia, is recognized as a national model for inner-city education. Co-directed by the Jesuits and the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), Gesu serves 450 children in grades Pre-K through 8.

Gesu School embraces the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis — care of the whole person — and the IHM belief that every child can learn by providing resources to build academic and soft skills across a range of ability levels.

Mission Statement: Inspired by the Jesuit and IHM traditions of social justice, faith, creative hope, and love, Gesu School helps students to transcend all forms of poverty by providing a comprehensive, innovative education. We empower our students to develop their strengths, overcome challenges, and become positive, engaged members of the community and the world.

To learn how you can make an impact on Gesu School or support events such as the Symposium, contact the Development Office at 215.763.9077 or development@gesuschool.org.

UNITY PRAYER God, Giver of Life and Creator of all things, You offer us the gift of education, so we may know the wonder of Your creation and find You in all things. You empower us to be co-creators in the work of Your world, citizens of the human family, and agents of Your justice. We pray as a global community in a time of pandemic that we may seek the grace to collaborate and to build a world where all of our children can learn and thrive. In sharing our hopes and our fears, our joys and losses, may we offer each other a solidarity of peaceful endurance that carries us into harambe — Swahili for “a working together in love.” Amen.

Daniel R. J. Joyce, S.J. Gesu Trustee Executive Director of Mission Programs Director of The ACESJU Education Fellows Program Saint Joseph’s University

LISTEN TO THE

Gesu Gospel Choir

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“WE ARE THE WORLD” BY LIONEL RICHIE & MICHAEL JACKSON

GESU SCHOOL’S

Annual Symposium Always seeking to improve education for all of America’s inner-city children, Gesu School launched our Symposium in 1997 to bring together educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to tackle the tough issues in urban

Past Symposia A Conversation with Ibram X. Kendi Antiracism in Urban Education

Keynote by Ibram X. Kendi (2020)

Social Justice & Education The Role of Educators in Building a School’s Capacity to Meet Student Needs Keynote by Pedro Noguera (2019)

Everyday Heroes Unveiling the Power of Educators Keynote by Steve Pemberton (2018)

SEE A FULL LIST OF PAST SYMPOSIA HERE.

education. The annual event brings together top thought leaders to stimulate productive conversation and empower educators and the community for our work in the field.

“I'm scared..."

- Student

“Why are my students acting up?”

"Has my child fallen behind?"

– Teacher

- Parent

GESU SCHOOL’S

24 Annual Symposium th

The educational landscape has shifted dramatically. Students and educators have returned to inperson classrooms and structured learning time after months of remote instruction and social and emotional upheaval. This virtual discussion will offer practical, actionable strategies on managing stress in school communities and strengthening our communities for the months ahead.

Speakers Marsha Richardson, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, and Jabari Whitehead, Ed.D., Principal of Chatham Park Elementary School and Adjunct Professor at Saint Joseph’s University, will dialogue on this critical, timely topic. Darryl J. Ford, Ph.D., will facilitate and offer insights as Head of School at William Penn Charter School.

TONIGHT’S SPEAKERS WILL BE INTRODUCED BY

Alphonso Evans, Jr. Gesu School, ‘19 Haverford School for Boys, ‘23

SYMPOSIUM SPEAKER

Marsha Richardson, Psy.D. Senior Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania Human Development and Quantitative Methods Counseling and Mental Health/Executive School and Mental Health Programs

Marsha Richardson, Psy.D., is a Clinical Psychologist by training and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education’s Community and Mental Health Services program. She has over 30 years of experience providing clinical services, administrative leadership, and professional development training in a variety of educational and clinical programs for children and adults in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. She provides consultative services to schools, universities, and community-based programs in the areas of professional selfcare, cultural diversity, and mental healthrelated issues.

As a team member and lead trainer with Dr. Howard Stevenson’s Racial Empowerment Collaborative (REC) and the Lion’s Story organizations, she facilitates awareness and skills development for educators, service providers, staff, community leaders, parents, and students in emotionally resolving racial conflicts and other attacks against marginal identities.

She also facilitates courageous conversations between educators, students, and parents on a variety of tough topics in school settings across the region through the SpeakUp! organization.

Her private practice focuses on providing socio-emotional support for emerging adults and professionals. In addition to these external endeavors, Dr. Richardson consults with several Penn programs and within the Graduate School of Education on topics such as trauma-sensitive pedagogy and student self-care/wellness.

She is also a certified Youth and Mental Health First Aid trainer who provides mental health awareness training in local schools, non-profit organizations, as well as statewide teacher candidacy programs through Bloomsburg University’s McDowell Institute. Her most recent professional endeavors include providing consultative services to the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Association and Philadelphia’s Community Behavioral Health organizations around issues of diversity and equity related to culturally sensitive service delivery.

SYMPOSIUM SPEAKER

Jabari Whitehead, Ed.D. Principal, Chatham Park Elementary School Adjunct Professor, Saint Joseph’s University, Department of Educational Leadership Public Speaker

Jabari Whitehead, Ed.D., is the Principal of Chatham Park Elementary School in the Haverford School District and an Adjunct Professor at Saint Joseph’s University, where he teaches doctoral- and master’s-level courses in Educational Leadership. With over 20 years of experience as an educator in K-12 in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and with 13 years in school leadership, Dr. Whitehead has spent his career dedicated to the growth of his students and community.

Dr. Whitehead received his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University, Class of 2017, with a focus on Transformational Leadership and the SocioCognitive Theory of Self-Efficacy. His prior education includes an M.S. in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph’s, Class of 2005, and his B.A. in Elementary Education from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

Most recently, Dr. Whitehead has lent his voice to the following: • Saint Joseph’s University Unlimited Learning Webinar Series: The Role of Mental Health in Education and Leadership (9/18/2020)

• The Bridge Between YouTube Channel with Shannon Cassidy: Journey to Authentic Leadership (7/2/2020) • The Bridge Between YouTube Channel with Shannon Cassidy: Managing the Fear of Returning to School (8/4/2020) • WMMR Public Affairs Show: Discussion about Virtual Learning (9/6/2020) • Partnering with and speaking to police departments regarding policing practices in local municipalities Dr. Whitehead enjoys reading, journaling, and visiting the beach. Additionally, he is active in CrossFit, hikes, and coaches girls’ youth lacrosse. He is a loving husband and father.

The real truth: Dr. Whitehead refers to himself as a mess and a masterpiece, someone who is constantly evolving and becoming. Along the way, he lives each day to add value to the lives of others through vulnerability and connection.

Darryl J. Ford, Ph.D. Moderator Head of School, William Penn Charter School

Darryl J. Ford has been Head of School at William Penn Charter School since 2007.

Under his leadership, the school has expanded programs, opening a pre-kindergarten, the Kurtz Center for the Performing Arts, and the Center for Public Purpose; added Mandarin Chinese and IdeaLabs; and built new and improved athletic facilities. The Graham Athletics & Wellness Center will open for the 2021-2022 school year, and breaking ground on the construction of a new lower school is anticipated for summer 2022. These projects will complete a campus transformation, resulting in a new Academic Village at Penn Charter. Ford’s former roles include Director of Middle School at Penn Charter as well as Head and Executive Director of St. Gregory’s

Episcopal School in Chicago. Ford’s current board service includes AIM Academy and Cliveden of the National Trust. Prior board service includes Villanova University, Friends Council on Education, Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools, Steppingstone Scholars, and Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools’ Commission on Accreditation. Ford is an art collector, plays the piano and organ at his church, and is an avid sports fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and Villanova basketball. Ford holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Chicago as well as a B.A. and B.S. from Villanova University and is an alumnus of Friends Select School. He and his wife, Dr. Gail Sullivan, and their sons reside in East Falls, Philadelphia.

Thank You FROM GESU SCHOOL’S PRESIDENT AND CEO, BRYAN CARTER

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CLICK HERE to donate to Gesu School.

THANK YOU TO OUR

2021 Symposium Sponsors SYMPOSIUM VALEDICTORIAN

M & S Foundation

SYMPOSIUM FRIEND Academy of Notre Dame de Namur The Episcopal Academy Girard College Malvern Preparatory School Merion Mercy Academy St. Joseph’s Preparatory School To learn how you can make an impact on Gesu School or support events such as the Symposium, contact the Development Office at 215.763.9077 or development@gesuschool.org.

Board of Trustees Steven S. Piltch, Ed.D., Chair

James F. Higgins ’45

Katherine H. Hovde, Vice Chair

David Hilton II

Marie T. McCormick, Ph.D., Vice Chair

David Hilton III (Junior Board President)

Keith M. Pension, Secretary

Rev. Daniel R.J. Joyce, S.J.

Gerard J. Davies, Treasurer

Karen Lucey

Bryan H. Carter, President and CEO

Nyree S. Lyons, MSN, RN, MS, CMSRN ’95 Robert M. McAlaine

Winston J. Churchill, Esq. (Chairman Emeritus)

Byron A. McCook, Ed.D. Allan C. Murphy

Honorary Donna Bullock

Kay O’Grady

Rev. George W. Bur, S.J.

Louis R. Pichini, Esq.

Andrew Cavacos

Greg Rigdon

Ellen Churchill

Sr. Stephen Anne Roderiguez, IHM

John J. Curry

Eilise Rouse

Sherri Darden

Erin Rodgers Schmidt, Esq.

Thomas A. Decker, Esq.

Angela Schwartz

John J. DiIulio, Jr., Ph.D., Advisory Board Member

Susan Martinelli Shea

Rosemary Español, CFM

Daryl J. Shore ’94

Tamika Evans ‘92

Mark Solomon

Christopher C. Fallon, Esq.

Rasheed Stewart ‘04

Peter G. Gould, Ph.D.

Sr. Mary Ellen Tennity, IHM

Frances Gray

Rev. Stephen D. Thorne

Eve J. Higginbotham SM, MD, ML

Larry Wells, MD

Management Team Bryan H. Carter, President and CEO

Carolynn Thompson, Director of Finance

Sr. Ellen Convey, IHM, Principal

Dontae Leaf ‘06, Dean of Students

Alana D. Lee, Vice Principal

Mark Smith, Director of Facilities

Robert S. Weinstein, Vice President of Development

Rev. Raymond J. Donaldson, S.J., Chaplain

Ed Beckett, Vice President for Mission, Identity, and Inclusion

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