(An Invitation and An Example of a Response)

Last week’s Big Questions Institute newsletter, featuring 10 Principles for School Leaders When DEI + Belonging Are Attacked, had a tremendous response from around the world. So, we are following up with an invitation and a resource.

1. An Invitation: Please Join Us for a Sense-making Conversation. At 8 am US Eastern time on April 3 we will hold a free, drop-in conversation with Homa Tavangar and Kathleen Naglee. We can discuss the content of the 10 Principles article, challenges you are facing at your school, strategies you are trying out, and offer a space for support and listening. HERE is the link to register. If you’d like to suggest a more convenient time(s) that works for you, drop us a message and we will try to schedule another gathering at a time that suits you.

2. A Resource: Our friend Wayne Rutherford, Director of the American School of Milan, sent a communication to his school community that is a great illustration of the 10 Principles in action. With Wayne’s permission, we are sharing it in its entirety here, in case it might be useful for you. (Please note that “ASM” is American School of Milan.)

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Diversity is not a Dirty Word…at ASM

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Imagine coming to the upcoming International Festival and discovering that you could only have hotdogs. A white bread bun, hotdog, mustard were all that you could eat; all that was on offer. Not at all why we love the international festival at ASM, one of our greatest celebrations of our diversity.

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Today, in parts of the world with which ASM has strong ties, the words ‘diversity,’ ‘inclusion’ and ‘belonging’ are being challenged as somehow discriminatory. For some folks, they are becoming ‘dirty words’. Schools around the world are challenged by this effort to shift the meaning of language, in particular, these words. However, our guiding statements and core values are clear.

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Diversity is an essential piece of ASM’s identity. We are a diverse community. We take pride in our 74 nationalities. We celebrate our diversity, believing it makes us an interesting, uniquely enriching community. I know, based on our Community Satisfaction Survey comments, that many parents value our diversity as a major positive element of their children’s learning experience at ASM. Who wouldn’t want their child to be open-minded? A key component of our ASM Mission is that our school educates ‘global citizens;’ our diversity is a key aspect of that education.

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‘Inclusion’ and ‘belonging’ are also being targeted as somehow symbolic of subversive education. But who would want their child at a school that didn’t prioritize inclusion and belonging? Who would choose a school where children feel unincluded and as if they do not belong? Again, we are clear about this in our policies and learning beliefs: we work to create ‘an environment in which all students feel safe, valued, and a sense of belonging.’ Further, we know as educators and parents (and research demonstrates) that the psychological safety that comes from a sense of belonging is key for children’s minds to be in a ready state for learning. Belonging is foundational to our core purpose: kids being ready and able to focus on learning.
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I am uncertain what the future holds–I think we all are–but it seems safe to predict that there will be some choppy water to navigate and possibly rough sailing ahead. ASM has a 63 year history of being a nurturing, supportive and enriching school for all kinds of learners and diverse, mission-appropriate families. We will continue to take pride in our diversity. We will continue to work each day to ensure that all children, whatever their background, identity, nationality, religion, feel welcome and that ASM is a school in which they have meaningful connections and belong. And we will continue to teach open-mindedness, reflective thinking, critical inquiry and our core values, including curiosity and kindness. We are grateful that you chose ASM for your children and we’re glad you are with us on this journey. Finally, I hope to see you at our International Festival, whether you are eating hummus, jalapenos, or, yes, even a hot dog.

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Thanks for sharing this communication, Wayne! If you have an example you’d like to share from your school, please reach out to newsletter@bigquestions.institute.

And please do join us at 8 am US Eastern time on April 3 for our upcoming global Sense-making Conversation. HERE is the link to register.
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