Community
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to Country School's mission, history and forward-thinking practices. We believe learning is at its best when students are exposed to stories and events that are both similar to and different from their own.
Conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion introduce healthy discourse and increase our communication skills. When coupled with action, a focus on DEI ultimately leads to a productive and enlightened school environment.
At Country School, we practice mindful learning and sharing as a means to connect and grow as an institution. We value the diverse experiences our families bring to our school community and work to provide a space in which all voices can be heard. We practice an ethic of listening for greater understanding. Our professional growth and development programs for the adult community supports an expectation that we will seek both national conferences and workshops, as well as leverage the resources that we are fortunate to employ from our talented faculty and staff.
Our professional community believes that there is always something to learn. Our ongoing engagement with outside professional development facilitates a network of informed people and perspectives with a global lens. In addition, our internal teams offer a broad range of expertise including our Diversity Equity & Inclusion Facilitators; Student Advisors; Service Learning committees; Learning Resources team. We access the special interests and talents of our family community, most directly through a partnership with our Parent DEI Task Force.
Country School offers a number of vehicles to support a culture of inclusion. Some of the initiatives we have in place include:
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Annual participation in the CAIS, Student Diversity Leadership Conference (Grades 7-9)
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Annually selected delegation to the NAIS People of Color Conference for faculty & staff and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (Grade 9)
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Parents' Association Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force focused on understanding and responding to the needs of our family community, while supporting education around topics of inclusion for our families.
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Upper School: Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) clubs
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Renowned speaker opportunities
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Ongoing faculty & staff training
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Formal and informal teachable moment platforms for adults and students
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Partnership programs with Horizons
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Integration of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion with broader Wellness initiatives
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Application of Restorative Practice principles in building a positive climate
- Donor support in ensuring representation of diverse groups
- Student-led classroom Buddies program
We welcome ideas and thoughts as we work to build a vibrant, equitable, inclusive and diverse school culture.
List of 1 members.
Diversity Facilitators
Diversity Facilitators, L to R: Kindergarten Teacher Jessica McKinney, Digital Communications Manager Moina Noor, Second Grade Teacher Abigail Newport, Sixth Grade Teacher Brayden Henry, Fifth Grade Teacher Andrew Bevan, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Horizons Family and Program Director Nehemie Moise
Parents' Association Contact
Michelle Saldivar
PA Executive Council
VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion News
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Apprentice Teacher Reflects on Identity
Read More“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
Read MoreWhen 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
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:Read More -
Dillon Mims ‘18 Releases History Podcast, "Precedented Times"
Read MoreDillon Mims ‘18 has released the first of 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.” -
$2.5 Million Gift from the Jefferson Family will Support Diversity and Financial Accessibility
Read MoreNew Canaan Country School parents Cathy and Brett Jefferson have made one of the largest gifts in NCCS history, recently pledging $2.5 million to support diversity and financial accessibility for students.“Our vision is to identify and support outstanding students who do not have the economic means to attend NCCS and afford them the opportunity to pursue the American Dream. We hope that there will be many outstanding Chao Scholars that will benefit from our gift and we are also hopeful that NCCS will benefit from the diversity this program will offer,” said Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson in a letter to Head of School Aaron Cooper.The gift will create the Chien and Taina Chao Scholarship Fund, named in honor of Mrs. Jefferson’s parents who came to the U.S. to pursue their advanced education, both earning PhDs in chemistry and building successful careers in science. The gift is being made through The Catherine Jefferson Foundation, which Brett and Cathy founded, and, in part, by Hildene Capital Management. -
Advancing Our Climate of Belonging
A group of 15 NCCS administrators, trustees, parents, faculty, students and alumni participated as a “pod” in the inaugural Pollyanna Conference in Connecticut on April 10. The conference, which was entitled, “Climate of Belonging: Challenging Our Past to Reimagine Our Future,” was hosted virtually by Westover School with the intent to “allow us to think about and examine the current structures, biases, and privileges in place at our schools as well as how we might adapt our schools and policies to be more inclusive.”Read More -
DEI Task Force Reads Anti-Racism Book
Dear NCCS Parents & Guardians,Read More
Thank you to the 30+ participants in our most recent DEI Community Meeting, where we discussed a follow-up to the virtual visit from Daryl Davis, musician and race relations expert, and the first half of Ibram X. Kendi’s “How To Be An Antiracist”. Here are some notes from the conversation, and some resources to explore: -
Daryl Davis, Race Relations Expert, Emphasizes Dialogue
In commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, New Canaan Country School hosted Daryl Davis, a race relations expert and a celebrated American R&B musician, on Jan. 19 and 21.Read More -
Lower School Remembers Dr. King's Life and Legacy
Country School’s Lower School (Grades 1-4) celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with curricular activities, reflections and gatherings culminating in an assembly, Jan.15, held using online platforms.Read More -
Ninth Grader Leaders Attend Virtual Diversity Conference
Six Country School ninth graders attended the national Student Diversity Leadership (SDLC) conference held Nov. 30-Dec. 4, which allowed them to connect with students from across the country virtually.Read More -
Upper School Student Reflects on Hispanic Heritage
Read MoreAlthough Hispanic Heritage Month is officially behind us, we had one more reflection to share, this time from a student on his Hispanic identity and its importance to him and his family. We will continue to periodically publish pieces that invite you all to “see” our community fully. Please enjoy this piece from Daniel Marin in 8th grade. - Kojo Clarke, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion -
Eric Woolworth ’80 to Receive New Canaan Country School’s 2020 Alumni Award
Read MoreNew Canaan Country School is pleased to announce that Eric Woolworth ’80 will be presented with the 2020 Alumni Award. Eric is scheduled to accept the honor and share with students, alumni and guests highlights of his career in professional basketball and as a leader in diversity and inclusion initiatives Friday, Oct. 30, live via an online platform.
“We look forward to welcoming Eric back to campus, albeit virtually, and to have him share his experience and wisdom with our students,” said Head of School Aaron Cooper. The Alumni Award is presented each year to honor an alumna or alumnus who has had “the courage and confidence to make a positive contribution to the world.” -
What Does Hispanic Heritage Mean to Me?
Isadora Machado, a staff member, reflects on the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month. Isadora Machado is a very familiar face to Country School, having worked at Country School from 2003-2010 in many roles including Kindergarten Apprentice and Art Teacher, and Lower and Middle School Spanish Teacher. She also continues to be an integral member of the Horizons teaching team since 2003. This year, Isadora joins us as a Plus Program Assistant primarily working with Beginners 4/5.Read More
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Country School Holds Virtual Sixth Annual Kyle A. Markes Day of Service
Read MoreMembers of the New Canaan Country School and Horizons at NCCS communities served the wide-ranging needs of more than 10 local non-profit organizations April 3 and 4. Students and their families were participating in the sixth annual Kyle A. Markes Day of Service in honor of an NCCS classmate who passed away in 2013. In a unique twist, this year volunteers performed their service virtually, online or in their own homes. View photos. -
Country School Community Honors Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read MoreNew Canaan Country School celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with age-appropriate curricular activities, reflections and gatherings, culminating in divisional assemblies held Jan. 16 and 17.
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