Dear Community Member,
Amid a continuing global pandemic and challenging national climate, we are particularly mindful of keeping topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront. To this end, we wanted to update you on our recent work with Christina Hale-Elliott, our DEI consultant.
Christina will be holding several afternoon training sessions with faculty and staff throughout the fall, following up on an anti-bias workshop at our opening meetings in August. These sessions will prepare Prep’s faculty and staff to work with students and community members through advisory groups, class meetings, or other venues in the second semester and beyond.
In addition, Christina is now gathering school data for her comprehensive strengths and needs assessment, which will take place over the months to come. We will be reaching out through focus groups to the nearly 100 nominees for our working committee, and we will be asking the greater community for input as we continue this data gathering process.
We will continue to provide regular updates, as well as coverage in PrepTalk, on the work of the DEI Committee of the Board.
Many thanks to everyone who has asked questions, shared their stories, and offered insight about this initiative. We are grateful to the Prep community for approaching this mission-driven work with open minds and hearts.
Sincerely,
Jim Pickett
Head of School
Carol Ramsey
Chair, Board DEI Initiative Committee
Sarah Cooper
Assistant Head for Academic Life
Vanessa Walker-Oakes
Assistant Head for Student Life