Idea Committee

Meaningful Changes for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programming

Over the past four years, the Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion has embarked on a journey to recognize and enhance the core values of our school’s programming. Community involvement in this process has been key, with CSW’s Diversity Committee playing an important role in shaping community objectives.

Comprised of elected students, faculty, and staff, the Diversity Committee strives to make CSW an open and safe community that encourages all voices to be heard in a respectful manner, promoting the enrichment of our school culture through discussions, events, and wide-ranging curricula. As a committee, the group seeks to foster a campus that provides a sense of inclusiveness that reflects the broad range of ages, races, genders, ethnicities, cultures, nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, social and economic classes, and physical and learning differences in our community. There are two representatives from each class and meetings are open to all.

The Committee recently examined the goals and accomplishments of the work they have done and challenged themselves to strengthen and grow the work for the future, establishing the following priorities: 1. Strengthening leadership 2. Empowering committee members 3. Rebranding the committee and programs 4. Creating a legacy

A New IDEA

This past spring, members of the Committee collectively agreed the time had come to re-examine their name. For weeks, committee members reviewed their goals and brainstormed names that they felt better encompassed the core tenets of their work. They arrived at the IDEA Committee — Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action. The key word is “Action.” Through guest speakers, workshops, all-school programming, curriculum development, etc., IDEA Committee will continue to bring topics to the community that provide a space for learning, personal growth, and common language, with a specific focus on anti-racist work.

Identity Exploration

The Committee also rebranded the event formerly known as “Diversity Day,” a full day of workshops exploring a variety of topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ranging from cultural traditions and stereotypes to gender, class, and body image. This important day on CSW’s annual calendar will now be known as, “Identity Exploration Day,” a name that more aptly encompasses the mission for the day, which calls on community members to share aspects of their identities, in doing so developing a deeper understanding of themselves and those around them.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Toni Singleton School Nurse

I see joining this committee as an extension of my personal, professional and global commitment to achieving a more just, equitable, kind, and humane world. I believe every school has a culture and that school culture lives organically in a space that can have the capacity to influence both local and global communities with the clear expression of its ideas and ideals. I take immense pleasure in bearing witness to and participating in the exploring, toiling, and forming of individual and ultimately, organizational, conscious awareness. The work that is achieved in this committee can be foundational in supporting social justice at CSW by exemplifying mutual respect and dignity for all of the members of our community. It is light. It is beauty. It is love.

Ella Harrington ’21

I chose to join the IDEA Committee because I care deeply about helping CSW to be an equitable and informed community. I feel that as a white person, it is my responsibility to put in the personal and actionable work towards dismantling white supremacy. I am excited to learn, listen, and work with my CSW peers and faculty. In a community that prides itself on its dedication to social justice, I believe it is imperative that our actions match our intentions. IDEA Committee is essential to this goal because it is creating a framework for work to be done by implementing policy, projects, and personal support in pursuit of our shared goals.

Arissa Emile ’22

I find it important to make sure everyone’s voices are heard and understood. As a Black woman at a predominantly white institution, I know how it feels to not have your voice heard. I think it is very important for everyone to feel heard and comfortable. IDEA Committee is the place to achieve that. The work IDEA Committee does is important because the Committee works to make sure that everyone feels included and understood in the CSW community and to bring awareness to important topics

James Foleno ’24

I chose to join IDEA Committee because I want to be an advocate for social justice. Because I am a white man, it is important for me to use my privilege to fight oppression. I want to be part of a younger generation that supports the values of the IDEA Committee. Even though CSW is a progressive school, we have lots of room for growth. I would like to be a part of positive change. The IDEA Committee carries forth the message of social justice throughout CSW. It is important to educate the CSW community around oppression and its impacts. IDEA Committee also gives a voice to those who have been historically silenced. As a school, we must stand on the side of justice.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

A note to teachers, parents, students, alumni/ae, and staff from Head of School Lise Charlier.

In spite of all the challenges this year, CSW is thriving. Our faculty have gone above and beyond to respond to the moment, adapting their classrooms to a hybrid learning environment in support of our students, and all of our community members have worked hard to follow safety protocols keeping themselves and one another safe. none of this would be possible without you and the support you have shown CSW. Because of you, CSW has been able to pivot from a position of strength, seizing upon our progressive values and the financial security your past generosity has helped to garner. Special thanks go out to the following individuals, who have dedicated their time, energy, and expertise towards a safe reopening of school. We could not have done it without you: Jill Finnerty P’21, Ann

Gorson P’16, Paula Henry P’16,’18, Phebe Kiryk P’21, Nancy Sieber P’16,’18, David Sinclair P’21, and Carey Thomson P’22.

We wish you all continued health and safety. We are all of us in this together, and though none of us can predict what the future holds, we know that there are brighter days ahead. Thank you for being a part of this community and for your support and care.