Today, our faculty professional development centered around the important topic of belonging in our school community. Our guest speaker, Erica Pernell, facilitated discussions surrounding how people perceive each other, how we see ourselves, and the dynamics of our interactions within the school.
Children are constantly exposed to various influences, on social media, from their friends, and elsewhere, and they are absorbing it and trying to make sense of it all. While some aspects of our identities are visible, such as skin color, gender, and age, most are invisible, such as religion, values, and learning styles. It is crucial that we, as educators and parents, work together to provide guidance and support to our students as they navigate these complexities.
Erica emphasized the significance of fostering a sense of belonging for all members of our school community, regardless of their visible or invisible identities. This includes creating an environment where students feel safe and encouraged to express themselves, ask questions, and explore their identities without fear of judgment.
During our time together, we had the opportunity to explore strategies and resources that will help us better understand our students' experiences and challenges. As we move forward, we will continue to prioritize discussions and initiatives that promote belonging, empathy, and respect within our school. We believe that encouraging open dialogue about identity will not only benefit our students but also strengthen our school community as a whole.
We are committed to working collaboratively with you to ensure that our school remains a place where every student feels heard, valued, and uniquely known. We look forward to sharing more updates and resources with you as we continue to think about this work and how we can best support our students.
As always, thank you for your support and partnership.
.png)
.png)
.png)
