The Lawrenceville School - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Quarterly Report | January-March 2022

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION QUART ERLY REPORT

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JANUARY - MARCH 2 02 2

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Statements of Belief Equity, inclusion, and human dignity are at the heart of the community we aspire to be.

We therefore commit to the following beliefs fundamental to our Mission:

A Life of Learning A community diverse in identities, experiences, and perspectives leads to a life of learning, when each of us is willing to listen, to reflect, and to work toward developing richer understandings of ourselves and of the world around us.

A Life of Integrity A life of integrity is an ethical life — a commitment to stand up for what’s right and just — and a coherent life — a commitment to be the same best version of ourselves in all settings and in our treatment of all people.

A Life of High Purpose A life of high purpose means giving at least as much as we receive, loving at least as much as we hope to be loved, showing at least as much patience and kindness as we hope to be shown. It means seeking to create a world that assures all human beings the unalienable dignity that is their birthright.

Inspiring the Best in Each In order to inspire the best in each, we must engage in a culture that actively rejects racism. We can achieve a more just and equitable community when we invest fully in ourselves and in those around us — and when we expect the same in return.

The Lawrenceville School continued to make important strides toward the commitments outlined in the School’s DEI strategic plan, Belonging. Building.

Becoming., released in June 2021. This report reflects initiatives from JanuaryMarch 2022 in the following areas: Curriculum and Education, Communication, and Professional Development and Community Awareness.

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BECOMING. Great schools are aspirational and transformational. Our teachers nurture and cultivate learners who are reflective and curious, open to new ideas, and hungry for lifelong growth. The educational experiences we design invite community members to work collaboratively across a broad range of cultural traditions and identities in a spirit of mutual respect, humility, and expanded understanding.

Having lived in and helped shape a community built on this respect and understanding, our graduates take the faith and belief in this possibility out into the world as agents of positive change and, with their confident voices and principled minds, confront the important challenges of their time.

Communication Develop strategic touchpoints with students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni through multiple communication platforms in an effort to both educate and inform.

 The Office of Multicultural Affairs, Hutchins Institute for Social Justice, Community Service Department, and Artist in Residence Stuart Robertson ’11 H’18 partnered to host a series of events commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Hutchins Institute Executive Director Zaheer Ali led the keynote on the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and moderated a panel of local leaders who reflected on King’s influence on their work. Cameron Brickhouse, Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, facilitated a discussion between three local community organizers on the lasting legacy of Dr. King.

Students gathered in their Big Red Conversation groups and engaged in an art project directed by Stuart Robertson that is currently on display in the Hutchins Galleries.

 The Hutchins Institute hosted an inaugural Mini-Residency with Dr. Stacey Patton ’96.

The Mini-Residency included dinner with faculty, a School Meeting conversation with Ali and Dr. Patton: “Lawrenceville Through the Eyes of a Black Girl,” history class visits, lunch with affinity groups, and an evening lecture: “How Love and Trauma Normalized Lynching in America.”

 The Office of Multicultural Affairs partnered with the Hutchins Institute for Social Justice to host a Dinner and Dialogue series by curating a series of documentaries, film excerpts, and facilitated discussions with students. Three events took place over the winter term.  “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson”  “Love and Justice” (in honor of bell hooks)  “The Assassination of Malcolm X”

 The Hutchins Institute for Social Justice launched the Hutchins Scholars in Social Justice program, inclusive of a two-week summer residential program and an interdisciplinary fall course, “Social Justice Scholars Seminar.” During the summer portion, Social Justice Scholars will study the role of storytelling and listening as a part of social change.

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Communication Develop strategic touchpoints with students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni through multiple communication platforms in an effort to both educate and inform.

 Lunar New Year: The Office of Multicultural Affairs worked with students and faculty to host a Lunar New Year celebration. Students and faculty gathered in the evening for Asian-themed games and crafts, including Chinese calligraphy, lantern decorating, and mahjong.

 Afrofest: The culmination of Black History Month, Afrofest was an event in which students and faculty shared food, enjoyed dance and musical performances, played a Black History Month-themed trivia game, and made art projects together.

 Community Circles: Director of Equity and Inclusion Nuri Friedlander piloted a Community Circles program to introduce students to some of the community-building practices of restorative justice in order to create safe spaces for students to share their experiences with each other and develop the skills of circle practice.

 Implicit Bias Presentation: Dr. Bryant Marks of the National Training Institute on Race and Equity came to campus and gave a presentation on implicit bias, with a focus on students. After the presentation, students met with Dr. Marks in the KAC lounge for an extended Q&A session. Dr. Marks also met with the Dean of Students, the Dean of Diversity Inclusion and Community Engagement, and the Director of Equity and Inclusion to debrief his visit and brainstorm effective strategies for educating students about implicit bias in an independent boarding school setting.

 Let’s Talk About … Socio-Economic Status: The Let’s Talk About student group met throughout the winter term to discuss issues related to the theme of socio-economic status. They engaged in student-facilitated discussions and interactive activities that gave them a better sense of a range of complex issues.

Please review our DEI progress dashboard to see specific areas of impact >

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