Diversity, Equity & Inclusion |New Canaan Country School

Upper School Students Share LGBTQ+ Conversation

Our Parent DEI Task Force recently hosted an “LGBTQ+ Support 101” workshop for parents and caregivers in our community presented by Cadence Pentheny from The Triangle Community Center. Approximately 50 participants joined us. In preparation, we asked Upper School students to anonymously share some thoughts with those who would be present. Following are the three questions we asked, and some of their responses:

It Might Take a Leap of Faith

By Freddy Gavidia, Technical Systems Analyst, P’23

On Dec. 3, 2014 I took a leap of faith that had a profound impact on me. I was warned: “POCC will change you…” but I was undaunted by the thought of attending that year’s People of Color Conference (PoCC) in Indianapolis, Indiana. The conference description that year read: “PoCC serves as a clarion call to leverage the unparalleled opportunity for educational excellence that racial, ethnic, and cultural differences present in our schools and in our communities. This conference is also a unique model for leadership development, as it is presented from an all-too-often unexplored vantage point — that of teachers, administrators, staff, and heads of color in independent schools. We are honored you have joined us to share your perspective as well.”

Restoring a Sense of Humanity

by Donald W. Burnes, PhD '56, Alumnus

Born the son of two NCCS teachers and administrators, both of whom were liberal in their politics and deeply committed to racial and economic equality, I learned early on about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. Thanks to my parents, I never lost sight of this during my 10 years at NCCS, three years at prep school and four years at college.

These values were strengthened when I had lunch with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in my junior year at Princeton; he was truly brilliant, charismatic and inspiring, and I walked away from that lunch with an increased commitment to continue my parents’ set of values.

Rooted in a Desire to Learn More

by Nicole Harder, P ‘24, ‘27, ’29, DEI Parent Task Force Member

Truth be told, for most of my life I never thought of myself as someone that needed to do DEI work. While I tend to adhere to the general principle that there is always more to learn about everything, I think I had subconsciously convinced myself that because I consider myself to be a “good”, non-racist person, DEI was not something I needed to devote my energy to learning more about.

That all changed for me during the Spring of 2020. I, like so many of us, was home, feeling desperate and helpless about the state of our country and of our world. I was scared about covid and all of the unknowns that came with it, and utterly heartbroken at the racial divide and unrest that came to a head during those critical months.

Country School Community Honors Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The New Canaan Country School community celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 14 in a variety of ways including student assemblies and an alumni panel.

As is school tradition, members of the Lower School community (Grades 1-4) participated in a group recitation of a portion of Dr. King's “I Have a Dream” speech followed by words of reflection on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusivity from Head of Lower School Meaghan Mallin. Fourth grade students who participated in the group recitation included Vivian Kanter, Reece Lenhard and Victoria Shaw. Additional assembly readers included second-grade students Amelia Grant, Walter Lapidus, Hope Gale, Finley Richards, Evvie Lasko and Henry Rust.

Finding Connection Through 'Mothers at Work' Group

My journey as a mother who works has taken many twists over the past 25 years. I have felt the most supported as a part of the Mothers at Work resource group, which in turn has increased my sense of connection to a broad and diverse community at New Canaan Country School.

My quest to meld professional ambitions with a commitment to parenting led me to many career experiments from full time to part time work to sabbaticals. I have tried crazy red eye flights to minimize time away from home as well as extending trips and traveling with a child in tow. I have found ways to time shift aspects of my work so I could be available for family from after school to bedtime hours. I have learned to function on little or fluctuating amounts of sleep and find the humor in it whenever possible. As one of very few women in leadership roles at my firm, I made it my mission not only to define a career path that would work for me, but to also advocate for policy changes that would make it easier for others who would follow.

I Was Moved by What I Heard at SDLC

by Riley Newport, Ninth Grade Student

This past November, I attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference with five of my peers. According to the National Association Alliance of Independent Schools, “The NAIS Online Student Diversity Leadership Conference is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of upper school student leaders (grades 9-12) from across the U.S. and abroad. SDLC focuses on self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community. Led by a diverse team of trained adult and peer facilitators, participating students develop cross-cultural communication skills, design effective strategies for social justice practice through dialogue and the arts, and learn the foundations of allyship and networking principles.”

Our Values are Our Cornerstone

by Taryn Jones Laeben '95, Alumna and Parent

I remember my 10 years at NCCS so very fondly. Sports games, field trips, assemblies, and so many deep friendships that have lasted a lifetime – my memory is full of joyful, formative recollections. Sometimes I find myself momentarily overcome with emotion when I drop my third grade daughter, Amaya, off at the Lower School car line or drive up to the Welles building. Waving to Mr. Bogus when he is directing traffic or reminiscing with Mr. Stoller brings me right back to those wonderful years at school, and my constant feeling of gratitude Amaya is able to grow up in such a special environment.

Senator Murphy Honors New Canaan Country School Student for MLK Essay

New Canaan Country School sixth grade student Cameron Ableman’s essay was among the 15 winning essays selected by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy in his sixth annual "Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Essay Challenge."

“I was particularly inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s resilience in the face of so many hardships and people who didn't believe in him or what he was fighting for,” said Cameron, a resident of Rowayton. “The idea of pushing through tough times and sticking with it until you make it right is something that I can really relate to.”

Alumnus Reminisces About Country School Experience

by Jay Craft '13

To this day, it feels as though I have spent the majority of my life at Country School. I may have moved on through high school, college, and now into the workforce, but I have never remained anywhere for as long as at NCCS. I have such fond memories of the wonderful faculty and staff; events like Deal Days and the Frogtown Fair; field trips to Nantucket and Yellowstone, and best of all, half-day Wednesdays!

During my time at NCCS, I was fortunate enough to have several faculty and staff work closely with me to further my goals and aspirations. Not only did these teachers express interest in my growth and development, but they consciously contributed to my success and encouraged me to pursue opportunities I once thought to be out of reach. Had I not attended NCCS, I am certain I would not have the determination and work ethic that I pride myself on today.

From Head of Early Childhood: Transforming 'Doubt' into 'Do'

by Beth O'Brien, P'25

"People are opting out of vital conversations about diversity and inclusivity because they fear looking wrong, saying something wrong, or being wrong. Choosing our own comfort over hard conversations is the epitome of privilege, and it corrodes trust and moves us away from meaningful and lasting change." ~Brene Brown, Dare to Lead

Last May, I took a photo of this image. It spoke so powerfully to me about my current mindset in regard to diversity and inclusion conversations. For so long, doubt plagued me. Doubt about my ability. Doubt about saying the wrong thing. Doubt about thinking in my role that I needed to know how to do it all perfectly. Basically, I felt everything author Brene Brown so honestly and poignantly captures in the quote above. So I wrote DOUBT and crossed out the ‘UBT’ and I began the work.

Parents' Association President-Elect Reflects on Personal Growth

by Jen Kline, P'25, P'27

I’m not going to lie. When Kojo Clarke, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, asked me to submit a reflection for the DEI newsletter, I was apprehensive. I questioned not only his choice of me as messenger, but whether I had the inner strength to write about something so personal. Because let’s be honest, to truly do this type of work, you have to be brave. You have to allow yourself to be completely vulnerable. You have to be able to admit what you don’t know. This can be scary, intimidating and uncomfortable. But as I’ve learned through my involvement in the Parent DEI Task Force, it doesn’t have to be. Before I tell you more about the task force and my experience with it, let me first tell you why I decided to join.

Upper School Student Finds the Pollyanna Conference "Life-Changing"

by Penelope Arredondo, Ninth Grade Student

At Country School, where each student is taught to be a risk taker and treat others the way they want to be treated, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (DEI) is at the center of the community. Country School has always felt like a family to me, and as I have become older, I have started to ask myself why this is the case. The answer is inclusion.

Fostering a Culture of Belonging at Country School

As part of its on-going commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, members of the Country School community participated in a series of activities over the summer and fall which included group book reads, workshops, professional development training, personal reflections and a guest appearance by author, illustrator, award-winning graphic novelist, and former NCCS parent, Jerry Craft.

PA DEI Summer Book Read Conversation - "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together"

Kojo Clarke, Director Diversity Equity and Inclusion and the Parents Association Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force recently led our first community conversation about the insights and ideas presented in the summer book read The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee.

Alumna-Parent Launches Faculty Diversity Fund

by Meaghan Mancini '03; P'30

I began my diversity, equity and inclusion work as an educator at White Plains High School in New York a few years ago with the initial focus on strengthening an appreciation for diversity among my students and school community. This coincided with my daughter beginning her first years at NCCS, and so I did my best to bring home many new inclusive books and began very important conversations around DEI with Ella at an early age.

Apprentice Teacher Reflects on Identity

by Olivia Mao, Fifth Grade Apprentice

“Where are you from?”

I’ve heard the question millions of times. It's the kind of question I've grown used to hearing and it took a while for me to realize that most people don’t want to hear that I am from Connecticut.

“No, where are you really from?”

It wasn’t until I was in college that I realized the truth behind the question of where I was from. Being an Asian American, I often struggled with understanding my identity and that I was different from others. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to understand that my identity as an Asian is an important facet of who I am and I hope to further share that heritage with my students.

Board President: Belonging is a Continuous Act of Community

by Sarah Irwin; P'25, P'25

When I’m asked what makes Country School special, I often point first to our deeply held value of community.

At the heart of the NCCS mission is a belief that children learn and grow best when they are rooted in an unshakeable sense of belonging. Country School students are fully seen and known, valued for all they are and can become, and surrounded by adults who inspire them to reach their highest potential.

Ninth Grader Leads Discussions in Upper School

by Julia Cooper

I have a vivid memory of when I learned about the Student Diversity Leadership Conference for the first time. I was in seventh grade and six ninth graders gave a presentation on the eight identifiers - religion, age, ethnicity, socio-economic-status, race, sexual orientation, ability, and gender. As much information as they shared in that presentation, I still had so many questions:

Dillon Mims ‘18 Releases History Podcast, "Precedented Times"

Dillon Mims ‘18 has released a 6-episode history podcast, Precedented Times. The weekly podcast aims to debunk the notion we are living through “unprecedented times."

“We may not be able to control that history will repeat itself, but we can know what to do when it happens.”