Diversity News

• Black History Month Kicks Off on the West Campus

  For photos of the African-American Read-In, click here to log in to Eagle Eye and visit the Lower Division page.

  On Wednesday, February 1, as a kick-off to our Lower Division Black History Month celebration, our students participated in Brentwood School’s first annual African-American Read-In. The Read-In is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and endorsed by the International Reading Association. We began the morning gathered in the gym, learned about, and watched a video of “Lift Every Voice and Sing," a song which in 1919 the NAACP adopted as “The Negro National Anthem.” After our assembly, guest readers, from the Los Angeles African-American community, including a Superior Court Judge, Head of School, Entertainment Attorney, Commercial Pilot, Actress and Author, spent approximately thirty minutes in an assigned classroom, reading and discussing a short story or poem authored by an African-American. Readers selected from a variety of books in our school library that are authored, illustrated, and about the experiences of African-Americans. Afterward, guest readers shared their individual stories with students, and students then had the opportunity to dialogue with and ask questions of our guests.
  
  Continuing our celebration of Black History Month, The Crayon Box Lunch Group Session next Wednesday, February 8, will feature Tunua Thrash (mother of Corryn T., Kindergarten) and their guest Uduak Ntuk, as they share their unique African-American experiences, stemming from Dallas, Texas, to Calabar, Nigeria.

  Throughout the month, students will learn about the African-American tradition of Family Reunions, and we will host our very own Brentwood Family Reunion on Friday, February 24 complete with family, friends, good food, and fun! During the week of February 20, students will be introduced to, learn about, and will be given Kente Cloth Fabric and challenged to creatively design their own head wraps, scarves, or any other decorative accessory that they feel inspired to create. Each grade “family” will be given their own unique style of Kente Cloth Fabric and each student will be given a piece of the family fabric with which they may make a decorative accessory. At the Brentwood Family Reunion, a contest will be held to determine the most creative Kente Cloth accessory designed!

  We look forward to celebrating Black History Month in the Lower Division and hope that these events will spark many interesting and valuable conversations in your homes.

• 

  First-ever Asian Family Potluck

  Brentwood School Asian Student Association (ASA) held the first-ever Asian Family Potluck on Sunday, January 29. Over 60 people attended the event, with guests comprised of students, parents, faculty, and administration from all three divisions. The event was kicked off with some introductory words by ASA student officers Gavin P., Max M., and Zach C. Ben Lah, faculty sponsor of ASA, followed with words about the history and role of the Upper Division affinity club. Special thanks to Bill Chien, active Brentwood School parent and member of the Diversity Council, for help organizing the event. We hope to continue to offer ASA Potluck events as a way of connecting students and parents with each other, to encourage parent involvement, and to help the community learn about the Asian American presence on campus.

• Assessment for Inclusion and Multiculturalism (AIM)

  Diversity Mission Statement— something that the National Association of Independent Schools urges as a part of their suggested best practices. As Dr. Riera has mentioned in previous letters to our community, taking the time to have a diversity mission statement “indicates that we are a school that values points of difference, in part, for the vibrancy they bring to the life of our students.”
  
  This year we have taken another step toward embracing our mission statement by undertaking an exciting self-study developed by the National Association of Independent Schools and used by schools nationally and internationally, The Assessment for Inclusion and Multiculturalism (AIM). AIM uses a two-pronged approach. One prong is the Self Assessment Process with ten different discovery groups that explore, through the lens of diversity, topics such as: school governance, teaching and learning, admissions and financial aid, and student climate. The other consists of an Online Climate Survey open to all students and families...

  Read More »