Inclusion & Belonging

Welcome,

It is a privilege to serve our school community as the coordinator of inclusion and belonging, supporting our faculty, staff, students, and families in nurturing a school culture that welcomes all. In harmony with our Episcopal Identity, St. Anne’s is dedicated to fostering a community that is free from prejudice and harm.

Here are some essential definitions that we embrace as a school community, which we also teach to clarify what Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, Justice and Dignity mean to us. These definitions are just the foundation for the collaborative efforts we engage in together in the classroom, hallways and beyond.

DIVERSITY

The intentional development of school communities where people of different backgrounds and points of view come together as a body. Diversity is both a source of strength and a primary means of enhancing the intellectual, social, spiritual and moral life of the school. (Rev. 7:9-10)

INCLUSION

Beyond the sheer presence of a diverse group of people, inclusion is the process by which members of the community honor one another, welcome many voices, and work toward the ongoing broadening of the community’s horizons. (Romans 15:7)

EQUITY

Equity is the condition where fairness and faithfulness thrive, and all members of the community are respected for their inherent dignity as human beings and capacity to contribute to the building up of the common life. (Psalm 33:5)

JUSTICE

The courageous and continual attention to and advocacy on behalf of those most vulnerable in the community. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

DIGNITY

Dignity speaks to the inherent worth of all human beings, what human beings strive to be seen as possessing, and the primary lens through which we view all human beings. (Gal. 3:28)

National Association of Episcopal Schools Statement on Inclusion & Identity

LEADERSHIP

Janay Garrett

Coordinator of Inclusion & Belonging

jgarrett@saintannesschool.org

St. Anne’s is committed to nurturing a learning community that is free from intolerance and prejudice.

We seek to witness to the splendor of God’s creation and to honor the dignity of the individual human spirit by including faculty, students, administrators, staff, and trustees from diverse cultural, racial, religious, family and economic backgrounds in our community. The rich diversities of people and the many perspectives they bring serve to enhance the quality of educational experiences at our school. An active diversity committee including teachers, parents and board members meets regularly.

AT ST. ANNE’S WE SEEK TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH DIFFERENCES ARE HONORED AND CELEBRATED.

We believe that including people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences enriches our community, makes our learning environment more intellectually stimulating, and helps children learn the crucial skill of working productively with people different from themselves.

Student & Family Programming

Throughout the school year St. Anne’s offers programming for students and their families that highlight and celebrate the diversity of our school community. Following an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning, many of these celebrations and lessons are created through student and faculty collaboration:

2024-2025 school year

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Indigenous People Day

Black History Month Brunch

Women’s History Month

Asian American Heritage Month

MS Leadership & Character - Inclusion & Belonging

Middle School Students learn to define and use key terms like Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice through making connections to their own experiences. The inclusion & belonging portion of this class, meets once a cycle per and covers a range of topics, including school policies, practices and other actions that create an inclusive school community and contribute to a sense of belonging. Students learn to speak about their own sense of self, how to be curious about others, and develop the skills for respectful dialogue across sameness and difference. By the end of the course, students begin to connect their own interests to what it means to be a strong community member within and outside of school, specifically as it relates to our own stories.

MS Diversity Council

St. Anne’s has a Student Diversity Council composed of Middle School students and faculty advisors who joined together, starting in 2013, with the common goal of learning more about the similarities and differences of the people who make up our diverse community. Diversity Council brings together a collective of MS Students and faculty mentors passionate about dreaming, creating and building a culture of belonging and inclusion.

Diversity Council members have an opportunity to shape what belonging and inclusion looks like in action amongst their peers at St. Anne’s, using their unique interests and passions to inspire a positive and thoughtful school culture where all are celebrated and welcome.

Diversity Council shares what they learn through presentations, skits, events and conversation and invites our school community to join them. They are also leaders when it comes to school celebrations and driving student priorities around inclusion and belonging.

Culture Day at SAES

A highlight since 2015-16 has been SAES’s Culture Day, hosted by the Diversity Council. Students and families have an opportunity to share their cultural background, customs, history, music or food for this special event. All students, faculty, and parents are invited to attend the event with older students paired with their Connections buddies to experience and learn about other cultures. While the Culture Day has changed over the years, the root of the long standing tradition for St. Anne’s remains.

SAES Affinity Group Lunches

St. Anne’s offers affinity group lunches for its 5th-8th grade middle school students. Affinity lunches give students an opportunity to come together with a group of individuals that share a common identity, experience or interest. Identity can be based on race, language, gender, faith, family structure, nationality and so on. Affinity groups can be a great place for students to come together to learn more about themselves, and to find support, connection and inspiration. Please see our FAQ for more information!

Faculty Advisors for Affinity Groups

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