Diversity Statement: Preparing for a Changing World
Diversity at Nashoba Brooks is intrinsic to the daily experience, in and out of the classroom. We impart students with a greater understanding of global awareness by providing them with insight into diverse lives and traditions. Our goal is to prepare students for a global 21st century world.
Our commitment to diversity encompasses the multiplicity of race, ethnic and religious heritage, socio-economic background, family structure, sexual orientation, geographic origin, and learning style. We would like to see such diversity not only in the composition of our student body, faculty, and trustees, but also in our academic curriculum and library holdings, to hallway discussions and athletics, and all other aspects of daily life at the school. Appreciating, cultivating, and experiencing diversity is a way of celebrating life and its infinite potential.
Diversity Transforms Curriculum
Teachers incorporate diversity into their units by developing transformed lessons that offer broader perspectives and deepen student understanding of a specific topic of study.
For example, Kindergarten students each year participate in a unit called “Farms Around the World.” Instead of focusing on the traditional red barn/white fence/horses and cows farm scene, they learn about farming around the world and examine questions such as “Where do our food and clothing come from? What is grown, where, and why? How do farmers work around the world?”
The Diversity Curriculum Overview outlines the school’s diversity curriculum in Preschool through Eighth grade. It was designed as a lens for strengthening the diversity curriculum and as a means of communicating this curriculum to parents.
“…The themes of community, character education and multiple historical perspectives are embedded in the curriculum. Varied topics, including Cinderella stories from around the world and the language and culture of Spanish speaking countries, to the role of women in the Industrial Revolution, are studied through the lens of diversity and inclusiveness. Students work towards the goal of becoming empowered as leaders and advocates for themselves and others.” — Grade Four-Five-Six Team
“…Through study and self-reflection, students explore issues of fairness, equity, and social justice and … feel empowered to effect change through service learning in advisor groups and class activities…. The goal is to foster the growth of young women who will raise their voices to make a positive difference in the world.” — Grade Seven and Eight Team
To view and print the Diversity Curriculum Overview, please click on the links located on the right.
Parent Involvement
Nashoba Brooks Parent Diversity Committee: FEED
The Nashoba Brooks parent diversity committee, called FEED (Fostering Empathy, Equity, and Diversity), is composed of parents, faculty, and trustees who seek to affirm and understand the rich diversity inherent in the members of our community and the world around us. Through FEED’s development and sponsorship of special events, programs, and training sessions we seek to do the following:
* Create a school environment that is welcoming and affirming to all
* Generate awareness about diversity and foster inclusiveness
* Challenge stereotypes
* Support the school curriculum as it relates to diversity
* Educate parents and community members to increase sensitivity
The committee, which welcomes all adults in the school community to join this effort, meets throughout the year to discuss topics related to parenting and raising children in a diverse and changing world.
For more information, please contact our Diversity Coordinator, Kimberly Donald.
National Diversity Program: SEED
As participants in the National SEED (“Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity”) Project, Nashoba Brooks parents gather to engage in conversations about race, class, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability/disability, and cultural issues. Led by faculty facilitators, SEED offers the school’s adult community “windows” into the experiences of others, and “mirrors” of their own perspectives. SEED is an opportunity to grow as a parent and role model, and to get to know others in the Nashoba Brooks community in the process.
Want to know more?
To learn more, including a sampling of the agenda for the 2011 – 2012 year, click here.
To read an in-depth article from a former parent about the merits of SEED, click here.
For more information about the SEED program, email Sam Kane.