Diversity and Multicultural Programs

diversity& multicultural PROGRAMS

The Lovett School

Our Mission The Lovett School celebrates the uniqueness of each individual within an intentionally inclusive, diverse, and welcoming environment. We recognize that our community is enhanced as we seek to appreciate and respect the differences among our students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni. We are committed to supporting this environment through classroom instruction, professional development, and other curricular and co-curricular programming, and in accordance with our nondiscriminatory policy.

Our Commitment The subject of ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity receives significant attention at The Lovett School. In 1992, an all-school committee met to revise the school’s philosophy, strengthening that statement’s emphasis on seeking “students from all ethnic, cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds” and on the value of “respect for diversity.”

The school’s Strategic Plan for 2000 led to the creation of the full-time administrative position of director of multicultural programs and services—the first of its kind at an Atlanta-area independent school. The Strategic Plan for 2007 furthered the school’s focus on multiculturalism.

Other initiatives growing out of the plans have included the creation of new student organizations, new programming for families of color, and a new parent group committed to expanding international awareness.

Our Approach The Office of Multicultural Programs and Services is dedicated to presenting rich and vibrant approaches to matters of multiculturalism and inclusivity. This concept celebrates each student’s individuality by supporting the commonalities in all of us as compassionate human beings.

Staffed by a director, who is a member of the school’s core administrative team, and coordinators in each school division, the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services is charged with ensuring that diversity is integrated throughout the community and the curriculum at Lovett.

The director: Serves as a resource to parents, students, and staff; Consults with administration and staff on how best to serve a diverse population; Meets with new faculty and staff to share Lovett’s commitment to diversity and its diversity initiatives; Facilitates community dialogue; Addresses racial and cultural misperceptions through education; Counsels and mentors students; Assists in the development of a multicultural curriculum; and Provides diversity and mediation training for faculty and students.

We at Lovett actively solicit the help of all who are interested in the work of multicultural awareness. Parents, students, alumni, and staff who wish to contribute to this effort may contact the director of multicultural programs and services.

The Importance of Diversity Lovett supports the diversity statement from the American Council on Education.

The reasons include: It enriches the education experience. We learn from those whose experiences, beliefs, and perspectives are different from our own, and these lessons can be taught best in a richly diverse intellectual and social environment.

It promotes personal growth—and a healthy society. Diversity challenges stereotyped perspectives, encourages critical thinking, and helps students learn to communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds.

It strengthens communities and the workplace. Education within a diverse setting prepares students to become good citizens in an increasingly complex, pluralistic society; fosters mutual respect and teamwork; and helps build communities whose members are judged by the quality of their character and their contributions.

It enhances America’s economic competitiveness. Sustaining the nation’s prosperity in the 21st century will require us to make effective use of the talents and abilities of all our citizens in work settings that bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Multicultural Programs and Services Diversity Action Committee (DAC)

This committee, chaired by the director of multicultural programs and services, is made up of Lovett’s headmaster, the three division principals, the academic dean, the mentoring coordinator, the multicultural coordinator, the chaplains, the director of admission, the director of communications, and faculty and staff across divisions. Having representation across disciplines and divisions, as well as among faculty and staff, offers a cross-fertilization of ideas.

This committee meets quarterly to discuss and review the policies and procedures that are in place to promote the principles of inclusivity in general, and those that support and encourage increased diversity. It also helps to cultivate an appreciation for the broad ethnic, cultural, racial, and religious diversity of the school.

Diversity Workshops for Faculty, Staff, and Parents Diversity workshops are offered to Lovett faculty, staff, and parents. The goal of these workshops is to provide consistent diversity enrichment on a regular basis.

Diversity Workshops and Conferences for Students Since 2001, all ninth grade students participate in the Help Increase the Peace Program here at Lovett. The workshop uses participatory activities and discussions to help participants build community and develop interpersonal skills.

Since 2006, a number of Upper School students have attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, the student component of National Association of Independent Schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; People of Color Conference. Each time, students have returned charged and enlightened with a tangible energy they use contribute to the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission to be more inclusive. For more information on SDLC, see <www.nais.org/pocc>.

Seventh grade students participate in Power Over Prejudice, a local diversity conference on Georgia Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus.

Student-Led Organizations Middle School students participate in the following clubs: Cultural Appreciation for Everyone (CAFE), a club that brings together students who are interested in learning about different cultures, ethnicities, religions, and nationalities; Club Chocolat, a French club that gives students the opportunity to explore French culture and language; and The Latin Club, open to any eighth grade Latin student wishing to explore the Latin language and fellowship with one another.

Upper School students participate in the following clubs: Amigos Para Siempre, which translates to Friends Forever, provides an opportunity for those who have traveled to Siempre Verde to keep in touch; The Asian Culture Club, a group dedicated to exploring the rich history, literature, and culture of Asia; Club C.A.S.A., a group that combines community service and Latin American culture to create a learning experience while helping others; The French Club, a group that gives students the opportunity to be immersed in the French culture;

The Model Arab League, in which students are given the experience to see how the Arab League operates and provides a forum to debate international issues; Music and Food Around the World; The Origami Club, a club in which the members teach one another the ancient Japanese art of paper folding; and Teens Against Prejudice (TAP).

Mentorship Program In order to sustain the premise of our mission statement, we are vigilant about mentoring our students. Through the goals and initiatives of our mentorship program, we are confident we can enhance the learning experience of students of color. Our mentoring is focused on five particular areas of Lovett life: goal setting, involvement, leadership development, career development, and life after Lovett.

Lectures and Events The entire Lovett community comes together many times throughout the year to celebrate and experience diverse cultures.

Since 1999, Lovett has been participating in Atlantaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Martin Luther King, Jr., Day March and Rally. Our school representation usually numbers in the hundreds, with students, faculty, staff, and parents all joining to remember Dr. King. Lovett consistently has the largest contingent of any school at this event.

Every year, in celebration of Black History Month, a renowned speaker addresses the Lovett community. Past guests have included the McIntosh County Shouters; Dikembe Mutombo, an athlete dedicated to improving life in his birthplace, the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Nontombi

Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Francis Bok, author of Escape from Slavery: The True Story of My Ten Years in Captivity and My Journey to Freedom in America, who escaped modern-day slavery in southern Sudan; and Vernice Armour, the first female African American pilot in the history of the Department of Defense, etc.

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Lovett hosts special exhibitions and performances that highlight the Hispanic culture. Past speakers and performers include the 2000 Pulitzer Prize winner and author Mirta Ojito and the Ballet Mexicano de Lupita Sosa. The Visual Arts Gallery has displayed paintings by local Hispanic artists Ruben Dario Mora and Monika Ruiz, etc.

Other special guests have included a Native American storyteller, Holocaust survivors, and other multicultural authors and performers.

Various multicultural activities take place at Lovett throughout the year, including an International Day, a Worldfest, and an International Book Fair; a Kwanzaa celebration; and a Multicultural Gathering for new-toLovett families.

Multicultural Curriculum Lovett is committed to offering a broad range of coursework that explores diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicities. Courses include:

French, Spanish, Latin, and Chinese The study of a world language is introduced in Kindergarten and continues through Upper School with honors and advanced placement courses.

Lovettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s language courses instill in their students an appreciation and enthusiasm for the study of language and culture.

African, Asian, and Latin American Studies These three Upper School courses examine the political and social history of Asia and Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries and Latin America from the early civilizations of the Aztec, Maya, and Inca through European colonization to the modern day.

Introduction to World Cultures This course introduces students to the historical method through the study of Latin America, the Middle East, and China. Students explore the challenges these cultures face today, as well as the challenges they present to United States foreign policy.

World Religions The Upper School World Religions course is premised on the understanding that religion arises from culture and is diverse in its forms and expressions, regardless of the tradition being studied. Students are introduced to a broad cross-section of traditions from indigenous religions, the monotheistic religions, and the religions of Asia and the Middle East.

Global Studies Seventh grade Global Studies blends the study of traditional geography concepts with an important focus on current world issues. Students address the interaction of people, places, and environments and how they affect one another.

World Languages This course gives sixth-grade students the opportunity to explore different languages and cultures, creating an awareness of language as a vehicle of communication, presenting the sounds and written systems of other languages, and instilling an appreciation of other cultures.

World Religions In sixth grade World Religions, students explore how different persons around the world find meaning and purpose in life. Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are covered at some length. Attention is also given to more contemporary religious traditions like Mormonism and Scientology. As they study the different traditions, students are encouraged to consider their own relationship to some of the values which these religions espouse: empathy, forgiveness, justice, etc.

Lovett Life Lessons—Diversity In the sixth grade, students take a Lovett Life Lessons rotating class. One of the topics is Diversity. Taught by Lovett’s director of multicultural programs and services, this class seeks to increase diversity awareness, sensitivities, and skills to prepare our students to take positive action.

Initiatives beyond Lovett’s Campus

Mission/Service Trips and International Studies and Travel The Office of Service Learning and the Chaplain’s Office organize mission and service trips for students and their families. Since 2009, members of the Lovett community have traveled to Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala, and Peru to work with and help these communities. The Lovett School also encourages students to participate in international studies and travel programs to experience life beyond our campus. Students have traveled to China, France, Guatemala, Italy, and Spain.

Siempre Verde In 1992, The Lovett School purchased cloudforest property in Ecuador for the purpose of creating a protected preserve and establishing a research center to support tropical conservation education. The 825-acre Siempre Verde, which translates to “Forever Green,” fosters an awareness of the natural sciences and provides an opportunity for immersion in a South American culture.

Lovett International Alliance The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) is made up of Lovett families committed to expanding international awareness by offering events and programs for the community. The LIA serves as an educational resource for topics of global interest and significance, as well as a social platform for families of diverse backgrounds.

This organization unofficially began during the 2006â&#x20AC;&#x201C;07 school year, with the hosting of the Taste of Lovett and an International Book Fair. These events received an enthusiastic response, inspiring a group of Lovett parents to formally create an organization.

Today, the LIA hosts the following events throughout the school year: a kick-off reception; Worldfest, where families can enjoy international food, music, and dance performances; Dinner Club, a group gathering that meets at different international restaurants in Atlanta; Lower School International Day, a fun day that teaches students about other countries through games and activities; and the International Book Fair.

The LIA has developed a resource directory, recognizing the wealth of global knowledge and experience within the Lovett parent body. Potential participants are parents and families with backgrounds, careers, or travels that have involved significant time abroad. This directory is made available to the school for use by teachers and administrators.

Lovett families come from a variety of backgrounds and locales, representing all continents and many countries, including, but not limited too, Australia, the Caribbean, China, Cuba, Ghana, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and, of course, the United States. The Lovett International Alliance intends to leverage this wealth of cultural diversity to plan activities that heighten international awareness.

The Lovett School 4075 Paces Ferry Road, N.W. Atlanta, GA 30327-3009 (404) 262-3032

The Lovett School admits students of any race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

The Lovett School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and national or ethnic origin in administration of its employment practices, admission policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.