DEI WORK CONTINUES THROUGH COVID

diversity equity & inclusion

rectory’s dei work continues through covid

By Melissa Zahansky, DEI Director

Although Rectory adjusted to a campus climate that looked and felt much different from years prior, we didn’t allow it to slow the work we needed to embark upon to make Rectoy a more equitable institution. A highlight of this journey was a Zoom gathering facilitated by Steve Davis from the Institute for Human Relations, with 20 BIPOC alumni and past and current parents, to listen and better understand their experience on our campus. Hearing their voices allowed us, with the guidance of Mr. Davis, to pursue a thoughtful, intentional process in our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work.

As a school, we established a DEI Executive Committee, with representation from several leaders throughout Rectory, and thoughtfully evaluated how better to recognize, value, and respect each member of our community. Our DEI strategic plan includes developing and implementing curriculum with a representation of the different perspectives of our world community, offering professional development focusing on culturally responsive teaching and relating, recruiting, and retaining BIPOC faculty and students, and engaging and involving parents, alumni, board, and student voices to guide the process.

Throughout our curriculum and advisory time, we worked collectively to discuss identity, racism, cultural appreciation, gender, and equality with educators facilitating developmentally appropriate conversations and students leading the discussions. This past April, 21 Rectory middle school students participated in the CAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference and continued our S.H.I.E.L.D. (Student Happiness, Inclusion, Equity, Leadership, & Difference) program allowing forums for regular discussions on DEI. Our goal is to continue to provide opportunities for our children to explore and embrace their identities while learning how to understand and respect others.

Our faculty utilized the many online opportunities offered this past year to continue educating themselves in areas specific to their teaching. In July, a group of 20 administrators and faculty attended the CAIS Future of Learning is Now!: Anti-Bias Teaching conference with Liz Kleinrock as the keynote speaker. We will continue to allow for these opportunities and are excited to incorporate a DEI workshop into our professional development this year.

Recognizing this work is constantly evolving and ongoing, the Rectory community is committed to continued efforts in cultivating a space where each child feels safe, heard, and valued.