by Jeffrey Stanley
On Saturday, February 21 the school held an annual gathering, "Embracing Diversity: Moving Beyond Words," organized by the
PAT Diversity Committee to introduce parents and faculty to ongoing diversity efforts at the school.
The day began with an introduction to some of the current programs at BFS designed to deepen the community's understanding and compassion towards one another. Highlighted were the ongoing discussion group for author and speaker Tim Wise's acclaimed book White Like Me and his Center for the Study of White American Culture, the Upper School's Safe Spaces program in which faculty receive training from GLSEN ("glisten"), the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, in counseling students on sexual orientation issues, and the Lower School's Banana Splits support group for kids dealing with the loss of a parent through divorce, separation or death.
This year the Middle School launched a new program built around the renowned educational documentary Let's Get Real which explores issues surrounding bullying and helps teachers develop anti-bullying curricula.
Other Upper School programs include El Club Latino, one of the school's most popular clubs, the Gay-Straight Alliance, and the newly created Women of Strength initiated this year by students to deal with issues facing women.
The day's introduction also included a performance from the Upper School Dance department, an original piece presented by ninth graders Sonja Sepkowitz, Bianca Lopez, Sarah Shulman and Esperanza Au Gilbert.
"This day was about the teachers and the administrators' love for our students," an emotional Toukie Smith, PAT Co-President, made clear to the participants. "Thank you so much," she told the BFS faculty speakers.
The afternoon was made up of three simultaneous workshops. Preschool teacher Maura Eden, Librarian Angela Ungaro and Psychological Counselor Jeffrey Cox hosted an overview of the professional development workshop Undoing Racism created by the New Orleans-based People' Institute. This program deals not with achieving diversity in the workplace but with what happens next, and how to make diversity an asset.
Kerri Richardson, Director of Academic Technology, and Family Center Coordinator Orinthia Swindell hosted an introductory workshop on the annual NAIS People of Color Conference attended regularly by BFS faculty and students.
Middle School teacher Laurice Hwang and Dance teacher Jesse Phillips-Fein hosted a workshop introducing the Let's Get Real anti-bullying initiative in detail to parents.
The day concluded with a solo dance performance from junior Rufaro Gulstone entitled Sundown, and a group of Preschool and Lower School Dance teacher Helen Tocci's young charges performed a piece about where they come from and what they have in common.
"The biggest message of the day?" Kerri told the gathering, "Get involved."