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UPPER SCHOOL EQUITY AND JUSTICE
Upper School by Roxanne Zazzaro, Upper School Director Contributions by: Stephanie Carrillo, Rika Drea, Carole Winter, Alan Barstow, Madeleine Schwab, Hali Morell, David Listenberger, Hya Young and Adam Waters
One of the guiding principles of Crossroads School is a commitment to the greater community, as well as the philosophy that the School promote social, political and moral understanding in our curricular and extra-curricular programs. It is difficult to measure or present all the instances in which these guiding principles, especially those of equity and justice, are the focus of activities and discussions in the daily life of Upper School students. Yet, these guiding principles are ever-present.
CLUBS ere are over 40 student-led clubs in the Upper School. Many of these clubs focus on the themes of equity and justice, as well as reaching out to the greater community. Among them are: the Women’s Rights Club, where the issues of gender equity and political and social issues and trends that affect women daily are explored; A Window Between the Worlds, which supports women who have been abused; PEACE (People for Ethnic and Cultural Equality); and FLAG (Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
Top and Middle: Upper School students take part in Club Day. Bottom: Students from the PEACE Club take part in Forum Day.
Teens Abolishing Slavery Coalition works to raise awareness about slavery and trafficking and has a relationship with the Coalition Against Slavery and Trafficking. e club is working with the coalition to develop an inter-school network that would raise awareness and advocate for reforms. TASC has participated in several projects this year,
including support for the organization’s annual gala and the LA Freedom Walk. PEACE is a safe space where students engage in open and frank discussions about diversity and equality as they pertain to Crossroads. Students also attend the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC), a student conference affiliated with the People of Color Conference (POCC), which is sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Upon returning to school, the participants lead various diversity workshops and discussions in all three divisions, as well as plan special assemblies and Forum Days. In past years, students in PEACE have also committed to an ongoing service project. e mission of FLAG is to create an atmosphere of respect, understanding and awareness of the issues and concerns of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning students, faculty and staff through informative activities, open discussion and social interaction. A major highlight of the year is sponsorship of the monthly FLAG film series for LGBT/Ally youth in the Los Angeles area. e event allows students and advisors from diverse backgrounds to openly discuss the themes of the films, which focus on sexual identity.