Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Churchill School and Center

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Churchill

In keeping with the school's Mission Statement, Churchill is dedicated to creating and maintaining a community where students and adults are seen, heard, valued and respected. At Churchill, we believe that learning and working in a diverse environment where justice, belonging, and love are centered will have a positive impact on our community and the greater world.

We pride ourselves in understanding that equity work is a journey and not a race. Churchill is committed to meeting people where they are along this journey, while doing the work to move our community forward. Our commitment to the diversity of people in our community encompasses every social identifier, including, but not limited to, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, economic status, family composition, and ability.

At Churchill, we recognize the power of representation and we actively strive to attract, admit, and retain a diverse student body, school professionals, and board of trustees that reflect the diversity of New York City.

If you are interested in learning more please email Ashley Greene, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at agreene@churchillschoolnyc.org

Diversity Mission Statement

In keeping with the school's Mission Statement, the Churchill School and Center is dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that considers diversity, equity, and inclusion essential. We celebrate and respect differences in age, ethnicity, family structure, gender identity or expression, learning style, physical ability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. We will continue to develop programs that aim to ensure each member of our community is seen, valued, and respected.

Churchill strives to attract, admit, and retain a diverse student body, school professionals, and board of trustees that reflect the larger community of New York City.

Anti-Racism Statement

The Churchill School and Center affirms its commitment to recognizing, addressing, and dismantling all forms of racism and ethnic oppression. We are a caring community, welcoming and respecting diversity, and working for social justice on campus and in the world. We acknowledge that individuals are at various points along their anti-racist journey, regardless of one’s own race or ethnicity. As an institution we must examine racism beyond the actions of individuals, looking at structural changes as needed. We will continue to work to eliminate racial injustices within Churchill and the greater community.

Anti-bias and anti-racism work is ongoing due to the changing nature of a school community. It focuses on uplifting individuals and honoring others’ differences. Churchill is dedicated to continuing the work of education and practice at all levels of the school community.

The Churchill School and Center strives to become anti-racist; to reject all forms of racism as destructive to our mission, vision, values, and goals.

DEI Glossary

Glossary
Conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion are broad and constantly expanding. Depending on lived experiences, the words we use might hold different meanings for different people. The purpose of this glossary is to promote dialogue around equity and inclusion work at the Churchill School and Center.

Programs

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

Affinity Groups
The term affinity group refers to people who share a similar identity but not necessarily the same experiences. Affinity groups offer a time for encouragement, support, and dialogue. As a community, we want to create opportunities for students and adults that strengthen the ties within the community and sense of belonging. Below is a list of affinity groups at Churchill:

Elementary School
- Rainbow Alliance
- S.O.C (Students of Color)
- Banana Splits
- Adoption Affinity Group
Middle School
- Rainbow Alliance
- S.O.C (Students of Color)
- Banana Splits
- Adoption Affinity Group
High School
- PRISM
- S.O.C (Students of Color)
- Jewish Student Union
School Professionals
- W.A.R.E (White Anti-Racist Educators)
- S.P.O.C (School Professionals of Color)
- LGBTQ+ School Professionals
- Multiracial School Professionals
Activism in Education Day

Throughout the year we suspend classes for the day to focus on current events, social justice themes, and activism. The day consists of assemblies, discussion opportunities, and workshops for students to learn and share.

A.I.E Days empower all students to take part in developmentally appropriate lessons and activities based on themes related to racial identity and advocacy which helps prepare students to be advocates for social justice.

Past themes include: elections, civil discourse, movers and shakers, and discovering differences.
Culturally Responsive Curriculum

Educators at Churchill are consistently assessing their curricula and how it meets the needs of our current students. We use a set of essential questions to guide our cultural responsiveness.

Representation
Who do you see and who is not being represented? In the curriculum? On the walls of our spaces?

Privileges
Who does this benefit and who will this harm? In your protocols, rules, and decision making. Which voices and opinions are uplifted and which are silenced?

Equity vs. Equality
Who has access to you? Resources? Support? How do you adjust lessons, procedures and spaces to address different student needs?

Bias and Reflection
How are your own identifiers impacting your role? Your decision making? How do you check yourself and ask why am I doing this?
Professional Development
Throughout the year, school professionals regularly engage in professional development. We explore both personal and professional realms of equity work.

Through leading and attending seminars adults at Churchill are able to focus on the “why” of the work.

Past workshops include:
- Beyond Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Civil Discourse
- How your identity impacts your work
- Anti-bias Hiring Practices
- Culturally Responsive Teaching Practice
Equity Institute

This internal four day institute spread throughout the year is an intensive program focused entirely on the individual and their journey in equity work. Each year's cohort works both independently and collectively to connect to and address our own blind spots. Attendees will work to continue to identify who they are in order to pave the way forward in conversations with students, colleagues and families. Some of the activities include visits to journal prompts, watching films, reading texts, and having passionate conversations that provide attendees with the opportunity to be powerfully self reflective about their identities and experiences.

Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC)
The Churchill School is proud and dedicated to send a number of students to NAIS’ Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) each year, which correlates to our school’s deep commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice. The Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) is an inclusive, multiracial, multicultural gathering of upper school student leaders from around the country. SDLC focuses on self-reflection, allyship, and community building. Led by a diverse team of trained adult and peer facilitators, participants will develop an appreciation of their own identities, build effective cross-cultural communication skills, better understand the nature and development of effective strategies for social justice, and practice expression through the arts, while networking with their peers.

People of Color Conference (PoCC)
The People of Color Conference is the flagship of the National Association of Independent Schools' commitment to equity and justice in teaching and learning. The mission of the conference is to provide a safe space for leadership and professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools. PoCC equips educators at every level, from teachers to trustees, with knowledge, skills, and experiences to improve and enhance the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural climate in their schools, as well as the attending academic, social-emotional, and workplace performance outcomes for students and adults alike.
Anti-Bias Hiring Practices

At Churchill, all school professionals are training in best anti-bias hiring practices. Each position is posted and a committee is formed to help execute the search. The process for candidates includes: resume screening, phone interviews, committee interviews, and ½ day campus visits.

We strive to attract an adult population that reflects New York City. In order to do so, representatives from Churchill attend the NYSAIS Diversity Job Fair and list all employment opportunities with Nemnet.
Resources

Stay tuned!