Diversity, Equity, andDiversity, Equity, andInclusionInclusion

20182018–20192019

DEI NewsletterDEI NewsletterThis past school year we have seen what itmeans to be a community that celebratesand honors every indiv idual member and theunique experiences they bring to our school.By embracing these diverse experiences, webecome a home of social, emotional, andacademic excellence.

Reinforcing the depth of our commitment todiverse, global, multicultural perspectives isthe work of our faculty and parent-led,Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)Committee and its chairs, Roger Bridges andIsabel Sanchez. The committee works tosolidify the true meaning of a welcomingcommunity, bringing our many culturestogether, actively seeking to understand ourcomplex and rich identities, and leaning intotopics of diversity.

Next school year, we will be regularlyupdating you on the work of thiscommittee. In the meantime, we would liketo share the multitude of ways that EchoHorizon carried out this important work in the18–19 school year.

Did you know that everysingle time children enter aspace, including their ownschool, they subconsciouslyask themselves, “Am Isafe?” According to anti-bias curriculum experts andrecent studies, the morevalued and connectedchildren feel in school, themore academicallyproductive and successfulthey become. The oppositeis also true... the moreisolated they feel, the moretheir academic productionsuffers.

STORIES HOLD POWERSTORIES HOLD POWER

When children of color, LGBTQ+ children,gender non-conforming children, childrenwith disabilities, and other marginalizedchildren do not see themselves reflectedin literature, they can feel inv isible. Thanksto the work of our extraordinary librarianand DEI committee member, ClaudetteBrown, we’ve made great strides increating a more diverse and inclusivelibrary. Ms. Brown, who reads to everysingle grade, including 6th (!), has enjoyedmany thoughtful discussions with ourstudents after reading these books. Welook forward to continuing to find morestories and authors that make all EchoHorizon students feel seen.

Third-grade students undertook aseries of lessons focused ondeveloping the students'understandings of people whoexperience homelessness in LA,including a v isit from Safe Placefor Youth (SPY) and participating ina sandwich-making event tosupport SPY's Venice outreachprogram.

Pre-K explored genderstereotypes, identity, andexpression with aparticular interest in howtoys are marketed for girlsor boys, and society’sassumptions of thesestereotypes. The themecontinued in STEAM,where students designedtoy boxes that wouldappeal to both genders.

Fourth gradersexperienced a worlddrumming workshop withthe organization GetEmpowered!, exploredAfrican tribal dancesand Latin American salsadance, and examinedwhy dance is anexpression of self and anexpression of culturethroughout ourcommunity, city, and theworld.

The ALAS programstudents (3rd–6th grades)experienced a v ibrantand diverseperformance of hip hophistory and dance formsfrom VersaStyle, anensemble that consists ofcommitted andconscientious artistsrepresenting the diversityand beautiful complexityof Los Angeles.

We had the great fortune ofworking with Dr. Donald E. GrantJr., an LA-based psychologist andcollege professor whospecializes in diversity, equity,inclusion, and multiculturalism. Dr.Grant has facilitated trainingworkshops for our EHS faculty, aspecial night for our EHS parents,and spent time with our DEIcommittee, addressing theimportant work of anti-biascurriculum and parenting, as wellas conversations around gender.

Family physician and Adolessonsexpert, Dr. Dolly Klock joinedEcho for our fall speaker seriesevent, and then joined us againto lead a parenting seminar forparents of 4th–6th graders onpuberty, sex, and other tricky“growing up” topics. She taughtour parents what to expect fromthis phase of life, and left usarmed with practical adv ice onhow and when to start important(and fun!) conversations with ourkids.

This year, our teachers andadministrators went to professionaldevelopment conferences all overthe country, including the People ofColor Conference (POCC), anannual diversity and equityconference; Equity As Excellence,covering topics including genderissues, racial literacy, andleadership strategies; and TheNational Association of

Independent Schools (NAIS) Conference, whose theme this year was“Equitable Schools and Inclusive Communities.” For the second year in a row,Head of School Peggy Procter and Assistant Head Roger Bridges co-presenteda workshop at the conference aimed at inspiring women and people of colorwho aspire to senior leadership in independent schools.

M eg Baltazar and Jennie Willens joined 20 w omen educators in KenyaM eg Baltazar and Jennie Willens joined 20 w omen educators in Kenya

for the U stahimiliv u Dadas Educators Exchange, w here they took afor the U stahimiliv u Dadas Educators Exchange, w here they took adeep div e into explor ing exper iential learning, reflectiv e inquiry,deep div e into explor ing exper iential learning, reflectiv e inquiry,equity, justice, and cross-cultural understanding. To support theequity, justice, and cross-cultural understanding. To support thefemale students in Kenya, our team brought 350 menstrual cups,female students in Kenya, our team brought 350 menstrual cups,

allow ing gir ls to attend school w ith few er interruptions and stress.allow ing gir ls to attend school w ith few er interruptions and stress.

In honor of June andLGBTQ+ Pride Month,we celebratedAcceptance Day,organized by TheChangemakers, anewly establishedstudent leadership clubfor upper elementarystudents who areinterested in socialjustice and serv icelearning.

In addition to in-schoolactiv ities, our committeesuggested local DEI -related activ ities, v ia theTuesday Bulletin, so ourfamilies can explore thesethemes on weekendsoutside of school, aswell. We were thrilled to

see so many families celebrate MLK Day in ameaningful way with youth-focused events at theCalifornia African American Museum (CAAM).Look out for more suggested activ ities next year!

Al l Are W elcomeAl l Are W elcome

We welcome ALL parents and faculty to jointhe Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)Committee in the coming school year, and tohelp us continue work that is so deeplyenmeshed into the core values of our school.Please reach out to Roger Bridges and I sabelSanchez for more information or to join.

I sabelI sabelSanchezSanchez

RogerRogerBridgesBridges

3430 McManus Ave.3430 McManus Ave.Culver City , CACulver City , CA9023290232ECHOHORIZON.ORGECHOHORIZON.ORG

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