About
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Embracing Diversity through Empathy and Grace: Celebrating Diverse Perspectives
Welcome to a new school year! Our DEI theme for this year is "Embracing Diversity and Inclusion through Empathy and Grace: Celebrating Diverse Perspectives." This theme will guide us in building a stronger, more connected Gilmour community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We are committed to celebrating diverse perspectives and creating a culture where understanding, acceptance and growth are central to everything we do. Throughout the year, we will focus on fostering a culture of empathy, grace and forgiveness.
We aim to view our differences as strengths, embracing each individual's dignity and valuing all voices within our community. By encouraging empathy and grace, we strive to understand and appreciate the unique experiences of others, promoting equity and inclusion for all.
To bring our theme to life, we are excited to announce several initiatives, including:
- End-of-Year Empathy and Forgiveness Garden: This will be a reflective space to celebrate personal growth and the power of understanding
- Second Annual Culture Fair: Scheduled for Thursday, October 24, this event will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our students and their families. Parents are encouraged to participate alongside their children.
- Weekly Publications: Look for stories, reflections and resources that promote empathy, understanding and the celebration of diverse perspectives at home and in our community.
- Advisory Activities: These will be designed to help students develop empathy, practice grace, and appreciate the richness of our Gilmour community's diverse experiences through discussions, collaborative projects and reflective exercises.
These initiatives, along with other activities throughout the year, will help us cultivate a deeper connection and transform our campus into a vibrant hub of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Building Empathy at Home:
To complement the work that we are doing at school, we encourage families to use these text resources at home to help build students' empathy muscles. These carefully selected books and articles provide insights into diverse experiences, cultures and perspectives to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for others.
Lower School:
- I Am Human by Susan Verde (primary and early childhood picture book)
- Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang (primary and early childhood picture book)
- I Forgive Alex by Kerascoët (primary and early childhood wordless picture book)
Middle School:
- Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper (middle school, fiction - and being made into a move that comes out this fall!)
- A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga (middle school, fiction)
Upper School:
- Think Again by Adam Grant (adult and high school, nonfiction - our Gilmour community's 2024 summer read)
- How to Know a Person by David Brooks (adult and high school, nonfiction)
- See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur (adult and high school, nonfiction)
We look forward to walking this path together and making Gilmour a place where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. Thank you for joining us in this important work. Let's embrace this journey with open hearts, as we grow in love, understanding and acceptance together.
In unity,
Jai Cynthia Farmer
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
