At our Back to School Nights, I shared that the annual Board Retreat held in August would focus on Diversity, Inclusivity and Equity at Shorecrest. Dr. Gene Batiste, who served for 13 years as the Vice President of Professional Development and School Field Services and Equity and Justice Initiative for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), facilitated our retreat on August 27. I would like to share some of what our Trustees and administrators learned and experienced, and how we plan to make improvements at Shorecrest.
- Diversity is not one-dimensional. It is not simply race. There are many things that make each of us diverse. Race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity are some of the things we think of when we talk about diversity. In addition, personal values, beliefs, skills, upbringing and preferences make us all different in our own right.
- Diversity, inclusivity and equity are a process. Diversity is the product, the quantity or number of diverse people in the community. Inclusivity is the quality, or the sense of belonging. Without a community that recognizes, appreciates, and celebrates multiculturalism, inclusivity can quickly be lost. Shorecrest would lose any diversity it gains if we do not have an environment where everyone feels like they can belong. Equity and justice is fairness - ensuring that all people have the same chance to have a successful outcome.
- To establish a more diverse, inclusive and equitable environment for our students, faculty and families at Shorecrest, it will take a community-wide effort. It is our responsibility as Trustees to lead and promote this effort. We, as a Board, are committed to supporting strategic initiatives to ensure that Shorecrest is a welcoming and comfortable place where all members of our community have the opportunity to belong.
Dr. Batiste will be coming back to campus this October to have a Visioning Workshop with our Diversity/Inclusion Committee and with a Parent Leadership group. If you are interested in participating in the Visioning Workshop, please let Mike Murphy know.
Through this process, we will be rewriting our Diversity and Inclusivity Statement. One of the goals of our School Improvement Group is for Shorecrest to become a model of inclusion work. This group is developing strategic initiatives to make these improvements a reality.
