OIEJB Spring 2023 Highlights

Spring is a busy time for the Office of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging! Here are some highlights from our recent programming:

• During Ramadan, the OIEJB team worked with academic divisions to ensure that fasting students in the Middle and Lower Schools had an alternative location to spend their lunchtime. An Upper School Advisory lesson provided students with education about Ramadan.
   
• During Arab American Heritage Month, Lower School students engaged in an art project based on the intersection of mathematical concepts and art. Through Middle School Advisory, students learned the history of Arab American Heritage Month and were introduced to several important figures.
   
• On Thursday, May 11, in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, renowned poet and performance artist Regie Cabico joined all three divisions for dynamic, interactive assemblies that highlighted the power and possibility of identity, dreams, and figurative language. After reading his own poetry and talking about his personal journey as an aspiring Filipino actor, Regie led students in a writing exercise and brought some of them on stage to share their original work. The response from all three divisions was particularly positive, with many students asking Regie, “When are you coming back?” See photos from Regie Cabico's visit.
   
• In late May, Calvin Chrisfield '23 will take advantage of the flexible schedule afforded by Senior Passion Projects to visit Lower School classes and teach the Korean game Yut nori to our youngest learners.
   
• Coming up on Monday, May 22, retiring Chief Operations Officer Laura Miyoshi P '14 will visit with students from 5th-12th Grade during a special presentation in the Beestro. Laura will share her family’s journey from their homes in California and Washington to the Japanese Internment Camps (Wyoming and Idaho) in 1942, during World War II.
   
• As May pushes on toward June, plans are afoot for Pride Month…stay tuned!