Across the grades, faculty collaborate with the Director of Equity and Inclusion and with each other to provide contextual, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate opportunities to develop empathy, reflect on identity, and consider multiple perspectives.
In Primary School, students explore the various identities that make up who we are, with projects like learning the background of their own names or reading about the indigenous tribes of Massachusetts. Teachers are trained in racial literacy and learn how to help primary-age children celebrate one another across differences.
In Lower School, students engage in equity and inclusion work through a focus on intentional book choices and deep discussions across the curriculum. Students participate in meaningful service learning activities with a focus on empathy, purpose, and connection. Through their classes in world languages, history, and reading and writing, students also explore holiday celebrations and storytelling across cultures. Sixth grade students begin to grow as leaders in equity and inclusion work in preparation for a deeper dive in Upper School. The Upper School Students of Color group has also expanded into the Lower School with monthly breakfasts, bringing together students from both divisions.
In
Upper School, equity and inclusion work is found in leadership opportunities for students in Community Connections, a student-led, faculty-advised workshop group whose goal is to encourage awareness and respect for people’s differences within the community. Students also have opportunities to participate in affinity spaces for students of color and students identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community; attend local and national DEI conferences, including the
NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference; and explore intentional curricular units focusing on equity in the larger community.
Fay faculty regularly attend local and national conferences and workshops in conjunction with in-house professional development opportunities each month on subjects such as systems thinking, responding to incidents of bias, and belonging. Faculty also participate in Community Connections and serve as Fay ambassadors in their local communities and internationally.
Read more:
Primary School Update: Cultural Curiosity (Fay Magazine, Fall 2020)