Strength In Diversity
Source/Author: Mike Murphy, Headmaster
January 16, 2015
Just prior to the winter holiday, the Shorecrest Board of Trustees made an adjustment to our school’s Mission Statement to reflect our interest in being a diverse, collaborative community of learners. The updated Mission Statement is:
Shorecrest is a college preparatory school that educates a diverse community of students to become lifelong learners in the pursuit of personal and academic excellence, physical well-being, creative achievement and the development of a commitment to social responsibility.
The Board unanimously accepted the recommendation from the school’s Diversity Committee to clearly state our position on diversity. Although Shorecrest has been integrated for decades and as most people know, populated with an incredible range of diverse families, that has not always been the case. Like many schools in our country, Shorecrest experienced an explosion of growth in the early 1970’s when mandatory bussing became the strategy to integrate public schools. Forty years later universities and schools like Shorecrest continue to reach out to all people in an effort to attract diverse students and faculty who reflect the communities and workplaces where our children live and where they will eventually be leaders.
Today, diversity is welcomed because we know it adds strength and value. However, as we all witnessed as 2014 came to a close, racial inequality is experienced by many people. Through all the pain, frustration and anger, there developed opportunities for dialogue that can make our nation, our community and our school stronger.
As we strengthen our Shorecrest community, dialogue and conversation can be used to bridge distance in difference and expand circles of inclusion. When children and parents have formed tight social groups, they can inadvertently isolate newcomers. This isolation can be particularly awkward for students and parents who represent a minority population in a community. Therefore, the willingness of established community members to be welcoming and inclusive is essential for diversity to thrive in the school.
In this New Year, I invite you to join me in a resolution to reach out to those you do not know and invite them to be a part of the activities which allow you and your children to feel connected to our Shorecrest community.
Cheers!
Mike
Mike
