Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

By Embracing Diversity, We Are A Stronger Community.

Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School is a community rooted in kindness. We believe that learning happens best when we bring our whole self to school. We support every person’s right to define, express, and live comfortably within their own evolving identity. We are committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that recognizes the worth of each individual.

Our Episcopal faith is anchored in inclusivity and love as guided by the National Association of Episcopal Schools. One of its hallmarks is to celebrate the diversity of beliefs and perspectives around life’s questions, no matter one's traditions. Human reason and critical thinking in the pursuit of knowledge are valued as a means to grow deeper in our spiritual journey. Episcopal schools cultivate a strong sense of ethics and develop agents of change through all aspects of the student experience.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Formed in 2019, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is comprised of faculty members chartered to support students and families in embracing all kinds of diversity within our community, articulate our inclusive culture, and affirm the mission statements of the School.

The group met aggressively throughout the spring to deliver the following:

Review of the existing Diversity Policy
Create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Opening Statement
Research training opportunities for all of our community constituents

Our Affinity Groups and Our Alliance Groups

An affinity group is a safe space. It is a group of people who are bonded by a common identity or experience; race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, learning difference, etc. If you are a person who speaks from the “I” perspective of an affinity group you have the right to be there.

These spaces of belonging invite you to explore your shared identity and your place within the greater community.

As a supportive network, you don’t have to explain who you are. You can be proud of who you are. You can celebrate who you are.

An alliance group is for people who identify with a goal or a cause and for people who stand in support and solidarity with this cause.”

Diverse Learners Affinity Group

The Diverse Learners Parent Affinity Group is open to all families who are raising a child with a diverse learning profile. The goal of our affinity group is to provide a safe environment where parents can engage in supportive discussion, continue their education, and strengthen their advocacy for their children. Our meetings will also host experts from our community to inspire and rejuvenate us in supporting our exceptional children in the educational setting and beyond.

International Affinity Group

Our International Affinity Group is a place where we, immigrant parents, come together to talk about and laugh about our experience in the United States as individuals and as parents raising children in this unfamiliar environment. It is a space where we see ourselves through common experiences and through the lenses of different cultures and backgrounds. In this space, we raise our own awareness of the values we bring to American society. We aspire to leave the affinity group meetings with more energy and tools to help us as we navigate this curious but promising country.

DEI Parent Alliance Group

The DEI Parent Alliance Group is for parents and caregivers interested in learning more about and engaging in conversations about issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Saint Andrew's. The group aims to create educational opportunities, community-building events, and provide guidance on DEI in our community. The group will host workshops/talks by experts, a book club, monthly coffees, movies, and other DEI-focused events.

For more information about our DEI initiative, Affinity Groups, or Alliance Groups, please contact DEI Committee Chairperson Erin Stacey.

Resources

Observations.

In This Section

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

By Embracing Diversity, We Are A Stronger Community.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Our Affinity Groups and Our Alliance Groups

Diverse Learners Affinity Group

International Affinity Group

DEI Parent Alliance Group

Our Committee

Khadija A. Fredericks

Erin Stacey

Paula Ramos