Present:
Erin, Lori (co-clerks), Salli, Brenda, Betty

• Book Fair - How can we be sensitive to all of the LS children and families in terms of purchasing books?

• Typically classes go to the Book Fair twice. Once to preview books and write down books they wish to purchase. The second visit is for purchasing books.
• Several teachers shared that when they go to purchase books, they only take the children who brought money so that children who did not bring money do not feel left out watching their friends buy books. Teachers said they do the purchasing time usually during recess or other "down" time so as not to bring a lot of attention to it. Children discreetly put their purchased books in their backpacks and return to their regular day.

• Library Books - Being aware of the books LS children are checking out and being sensitive to our families in terms of what types of books are going home.

• Preprimary teachers shared about a meeting with the librarians regarding a book a PK child brought home that the parents had concerns about. It was decided the librarians would send home a letter in the Friday bulletin to all parents, explaining the philosophy of our library and book collections, and letting parents know that if they have questions about book selections to please let them know.

• Putting pictures on the web page - How can we make this easier?

• Items cannot be put directly on the webpage by teachers. To put pictures on our Diversity web page, we first need to collect pictures and descriptions from LS teachers. These items then need to be put into a folder on Photo Drive. An email to Margaret letting her know they are there should follow.
• Erin will send an email to LS teachers requesting pictures of recent events in their classroom which reflect the diversity of our community.

Present:
Salli, Brenda, Angela, Betty, Lynn, Sarita Winters - co-clerk PA Diversity Committee (PA DC), Erin and Lori - co-clerks LS Diversity Committee (LS DC)

The purpose of the meeting was to clarify and advance our partnership with the PA DC. Sarita shared that the PA DC would like to be seen as a support and a resource to the LS. The contact persons for the PA DC are the co-clerks, Sarita Winters and Sydney Jacobs. The PA DC would like to be in better communication with the LS DC and asked for a recent update on diversity in the LS.

Lower School Faculty shared that in the LS, differences are celebrated as part of our everyday interactions with our students and within our curriculum daily. LS Faculty reviewed the many ways we incorporate and address diversity in the classroom and spoke to recent classroom events and LS assemblies. A discussion of why Black History is not celebrated only during Black History Month, but rather throughout the year followed.

Ideas discussed for future:

• Having the LS take an active role in the International Assembly.

• To combine the International Dinner with the International Assembly.

• Having a Rainboot Exchange at the LS orientation at the end of August.

Next LS DC meeting:

• Discuss Book Fair - how can we be sensitive to all of our children and families in terms of purchasing books?

• Discuss the appropriateness of library books selected by students in our open library environment.

• Discuss ways in which we can simplify getting pictures on the LS website that reflect the diversity which is part of our curriculum.

• Snow pant/Boot Exchange
  

  • The first snowpant/boot exchange happened on October 31, after the Halloween parade. We were able to gather a good amount of items for the exchange and families looked over the tables as they left that afternoon. Moving the tables from the sport court to the edge of the sidewalk helped make more people aware of the exchange.

  • Some feedback from parents included the thought of including Middle School in the exchange next year, making it more explicit that boots and snowpants be washed and in good shape, and opening the exchange up to all winter items (hats, gloves, etc). Another possibility is a raincoat exchange at the beginning of the school year.

  • All left over items from this exchange were donated to the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington - "Linkages to Learning", a Montgomery County, MD program.

  • Special thanks to the SPARK representatives for making signs to advertise the exchange, and sorting the items and laying them out on the tables.

• Grandfriends' Day
  

  • On November 21st grandparents and other special friends visited the LS for the afternoon. Honoring our intergenerational relationships, grandfriends and students spent the afternoon in classrooms and attending Meeting for Worship.

  • The Next Grandfriends' Day for LS is 2008.

  • Photographs of the event are on the main SSFS page.

• Child/Parent Work Share
  

  • On December 6, after school, the LS had its first Child/Parent Work Share. With the children acting as hosts, parents were able to see their children's work in their classrooms as well as in their Music, Tech, Library, PE, Art, and Spanish classes. The children had checklists/menus highlighting special projects and work they wished to share with their families.

  • The LS teachers were in attendance until 6 p.m. to accommodate families' work schedules.

• Pre-Primary Community Service Project
  

  • Each November the PK and K classrooms work together to help the community and those in need. This year the children did chores at home to "earn" a new pair of gloves/mittens , hats, or socks for children in need. The PK and K classes gathered for their annual Bread Feast the Monday before Thanksgiving and shared what their donations.

  • All donations are going to YMCA Linkages to Learning of Montgomery County, Maryland.

• December Holiday/Cultural Awareness Activities
  

  • A visit from the Honorable Baba C - an African storyteller. Baba C visited fourth grade to share about Kwanzaa traditions.

  • A LS parent visited Kindergarten and third grade to share about the German holiday St. Nicholas Day, which falls on December 6th.

  • A LS family visited Kindergarten to share how their family celebrates both Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

  • As is tradition in the LS, families are encouraged to come and visit their child's classroom to talk about their holiday traditions.

• LS Focus for 2006-2007: Socio Economic Diversity at SSFS

• Members Present: Erin Scott, Lori Huntzinger, Salli Innes

• Snow pant/Boot Exchange
  

  • The LS Diversity committee contacted the LS PA in September and the PA has agreed to help with this event.
  • The exchange will take place Tuesday, October 31st on the LS Sport Court.
  • Families can begin bringing in gently worn items as early as Monday, October 16th
  • A committee member is supplying a large box to be placed in the LS lobby to collect these items.
  • Storage space for collection of clothing items has been confirmed with Director of Operations, Laura Miyoshi.
  • Flyer has been approved and is ready to be sent home with students this Friday.
  • Diversity Committee is looking into who to contact for a tent and tables.
  • Committee is looking into getting SPARK members to decorate and make posters for advertisement

• LS Focus for 2006-2007: Socio Economic Diversity at SSFS

• Members Present: Erin Scott, Lori Huntzinger, Salli Innes, Brenda Benjamin, Angela Sanchez, Betty Luna

• Snow pant/Boot Exchange
  

  • Committee decided that the best time for this evernt to take place is Halloween following classroom parties.
  • Things to Do…
    • Need drop off boxes for the lobby - Lori will get these. We can all help decorate. Items should be gently used, washed, and with names crossed off.
    • Storage - Where can we store the items prior to the event? - Lori will contact Laura Miyoshi, Angela will contact Robert if we need to use a golf cart for moving items around.
    • Where to hold event? - Sport court. If it rains, we need to have a tent set up. Tables are also needed.
    • Volunteers - We need volunteers to sort the items by size and help man the tables during the event. Erin was contacted by Michelle Layton who wanted to help. Erin will also contact the PA.
    • Promotion - We need a flyer for back to school night. Hopefully room parents can mention the event as well. Erin will take care of this. We need write ups for the Friday bulletin starting Friday, the 22nd.

• LS Focus for 2006-2007: Socio Economic Diversity at SSFS

• Boot/Raincoat Exchange
  

  • The committee plans to meet during June faculty meetings to discuss the possibility of a fall boot/raincoat/snow pant exchange.
  • Should the committee come to a consensus, we will meet with Lynn Darman and contact the PA.

• Classroom Issues Reflecting Socio Economic Diversity within the LS
  

  • Director of Student Support Services, Jen Cort met with LS faculty to discuss the complexity of socio economic issues encountered in and outside the classroom.
  • Attached is a description of her presentation and activity.
  • Jen also discussed the possibility of having a weekly socio economic "conversation piece" in the LS Wednesday bulletin for next year.

• LS Focus for 2006-2007: Socio Economic Diversity at SSFS

• Use of School Facilities for Outside School Events
  The committee met with SSFS Director of Operations on Thursday, March 9th to discuss the use of school facilities for outside events.

  • Currently SSFS doesn't advertise the availability of facilities.
  • Use of school facilities is handled on a "case by case basis."
  • Rates for cafeteria use are $75.00 per hour with a two hour minimum.
  • Large groups must bring their own insurance.
  • With campus expansion, it is anticipated that the use of school spaces will become more in demand and as a result more formal arrangements would have to be made (i.e. contracts, insurance, liability, etc.)
  • It was concluded that for now, SSFS is not going to publicly advertise however, should someone inquire about using school space, faculty and staff can refer them to Laura Miyoshi.

• Scholastic Books
  Committee member met with PA member, Kim Sargeant regarding the selling of toys at the Scholastic Book Fair. Lynn Darman also met with PA clerks.

  • Scholastic sends toys however SSFS has the option not to put toys out.
  • The PA has explored other vendors in the past: one being a no-show at Winterfest and others being too expensive with little return.
  • For the current Book Fair the PA has worked to cull the items that are put out.

• Classroom Issues Reflecting Socio Economic Diversity within the LS
  Committee members met with Jen Cort, the Director of Student Support Services on Tuesday, March 14th.

  • Agreement was evidenced as to the complexity of the issue.
  • Jen Cort has agreed to talk to LS faculty at a forthcoming faculty meeting.

• LS Focus for 2006-2007: Socio Economic Diversity at SSFS

• Use of School Facilities for Outside School Events
  The committee has agreed to call and set up a time to meet with SSFS Director of Operations to:

  • ascertain use of building spaces for outside school events
  • determine available times for such spaces
  • learn about school policies and possible charges for use of spaces.
  • discuss implications

• Scholastic Books
  Committee members had further discussion regarding the selling of "toys" at the Scholastic Book Fair and plan:

  • contact a PA Representative to find out if SSFS is obligated to display and sell toys
  • strongly recommend NO toys sold at book fair
  • explore using a different book distributor if we do not have the option of withholding toys at the book sale

• Classroom Issues Reflecting Socio Economic Diversity within the LS
  It has recently been brought to the committee's attention that teachers are often faced with the challenge of addressing socio economic differences between students such as weekly allowance, money given by the tooth fairy, etc. Committee members plan to:

  • speak with the Director of Student Support Services regarding strategies for handling such situations
  • arrange a time when the Director of Student Support Services can meet with faculty as a whole to share strategies

• People Like Us video:
  

  • to be watched by committee members
  • suggest to clerk for professional development day followed by faculty discussion
  • propose for Coffee and Conversation topic for division head with parents

• This year the LS Diversity Committee had its first meeting on September 28 and renewed its focus on socioeconomic diversity for the school year.

• We reviewed the birthday party statement in the LS Community Handbook, which was rewritten at the end of last year with suggestions from the committee In looking at socioeconomic issues related to parties, we are going to investigate low or no cost locations to hold parties to offer as options to parents.

• We discussed Scholastic Book Orders both in the classroom and during the annual Book Fair and ways to be aware of and sensitive to families who choose not to purchase books. These include discretely putting books into backpacks when orders arrive in the classroom.

• A committee member brought up the idea of a "Boot Exchange" early on in the year as a way for families to bring in rainboots that no longer fit and pick up gently used ones for the coming school year. Boots are an additional expense for many families and this way boots in good condition can find a new home. We are going to contact the PA about coordinating this event, which could also include snowsuits and snowpants.

• Finally, we discussed ways to encourage LS teachers to submit pictures and information about diversity in their own classroom. We want more than just photographs, we would like to include summaries of classroom projects and ongoing themes. We will set up a folder on the S drive for teachers to "deposit" their documentations.

During the 2004-05 school year, the Lower School Faculty Diversity Committee has met three times, once in the fall and twice in the winter. A prime task of the committee has been to shape the Lower School Diversity web page. A "Visions of Diversity" link now exists to show the many ways in which diversity is celebrated in the Lower School.

The committee also examined our program, identifying the range of diversity topics that we actively address within our curriculum and daily happenings. We noted that we are particularly inclusive of and are sensitive to several areas of diversity. These strengths include intergenerational issues, communication (including sign language) and differences in learning styles, ethnicity, religion, culture and family structure.

While as a faculty we will continue to foster our own understanding of these key issues, we recognized that we need to address others. Taking this insight to the Lower School faculty, we collectively agreed to expand our understanding of diversity by focusing on one topic for the 2005-06 school year, the study of socioeconomic factors.

We acknowledged that this kind of sensitivity evolves on two levels. We will strive to raise faculty awareness of the implications of socioeconomic differences through discussion, education and examination. We will also make a commitment to find solutions to ensure the full participation of all our students in our program offerings.

• LS Diversity Committee Accomplishments
  Our committee has written a Lower School Diversity Mission Statement for the All School diversity web page. Our committee has provided a folder on the S drive to place any pictures illustrationg diversity in the Lower School. Salli and Tanya helped Margaret Malone on at the last All School Diversity Meeting to tailor the web page so that it has topics/titles that are geared towards Lower School happenings.

• LS issues for next year
  The committee would like to work on these issues for next year: 1) learning styles and/or social emotional issues for next year and 2) economic diversity (an important issue within the LS Diversity Committee): the issue of families (especially minority families) leaving SSFS because of the rise in tuition and how the issue of the “haves” and the “have nots” affects the school. Also, because of the huge economic discrepancy, what will happen to the families that are "in the middle of the road." We also discussed the problem the school has in recruiting minority faculty and staff.

• At the All School Diversity Committee Meeting, the Lower School reported that it has a "mission statement" for the All School website and is in the final editing process.

• Members from the Lower School's Diversity Committee talked about the ideas they came up with to make the Lower School's portion of the web page reflect all that occurs in the school. They mentioned adding items such as pictures, announcements, artwork, etc. of the students to make it an accurate representation of everyday happenings in the Lower School from a child's perspective.

• Diversity Committee members, at the meeting, made some corrections to the headings that Margaret and Eduardo added for the Lower Schools portion of the web page so that it's more applicable to the school.