Diversity at Bertschi School

Definition:

At Bertschi School, we honor and support the unique contributions to our society made by people of all ethnic, economic, religious, racial backgrounds, physical abilities, learning styles and sexual orientations. We strive to promote inclusiveness in all school areas, including school programs, community activities and recruitment of students, faculty, staff, and Board. We are actively committed to increasing diversity in our school community to reflect the region in which we live.

Bertschi’s longstanding commitment to global education is rooted in the belief that children benefit from an environment where diversity is embraced on all levels. Diverse cultures are studied through year-long, project-based studies to explore origins of families, aspects of community, history and celebrations. The curriculum emphasizes diversity to broaden perspectives and encourages children to become active community members at Bertschi and beyond.

At Bertschi, children, educators and families embrace the principles of mutual respect, tolerance and compassion everyday. Children learn by example and through direct experience of the impact they have on their community, fostering positive self-esteem, security, and reliance. Bertschi students are prepared to actively engage in their future as life-long learners.

Curricula that explore diversity:

• The 5th grade biography project on page 7 of the Spring/Summer 2008 Bertschi Newsletter.

• Pen Pals on page 6 of the Bertschi Winter Newsletter, highlights a 1st grade project with another school.

Diversity Events:

• Bite of Bertschi-Friday, March 20th, 2009, 6:00 p.m.

• Bush School Diversity Speaker Series:

• Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 7 p.m.
  Joe Feagin currently McFadden Professor at Texas A & M University, acquired his Ph.D. in sociology at Harvard University in 1966. He has written 53 books, one of which (Ghetto Revolts) was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He is the 2006 recipient of a Harvard Alumni Association achievement award and was the 1999-2000 president of the American Sociological Association.

• Thursday, January 15, 2009, 7 p.m. *Hosted by Mount Zion Baptist
  Jawanza Kunjufu has been a renowned author and educational consultant for over thirty years. Author of over 25 books, some of Kunjufu's best sellers include Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys, An African Centered Response to Ruby Payne's Poverty Theory, and Keeping Black Boys Out of Special Education.

• Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 7 p.m.
  Jessica Pettitt is referred to as the "Margaret Cho" of Diversity Trainers, she blends politics, humor, identity, and local flair with big city passion and energy through direct, individualized, and interactive conversations. Her workshops, seminars, and keynotes don't just leave participants invigorated but inspired and motivated to follow through with action to create change.

• Saturday, February 28, 2009, 7 p.m. *Save The Date
  The Hip Hop Summit 2009 (more details coming soon)...

• Thursday, March 19, 2009, 7 p.m. *tentative
  Winona Laduke (Anishinaabe) is an internationally respected Native American and environmental activist. The Harvard-educated activist is the founding director of the White Earth Land Recovery Project, the co-chair of the Indigenous Women's Network, and the program director of Honor the Earth where she provides vision and leadership for the organization's Regranting Program and its Strategic Initiatives.

• Monday April 27, 2009, 7 p.m.
  Yong Zhao is a Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University. Dr. Zhao has extensive international experiences. He has consulted with government and educational agencies and spoken on educational issues in many countries including Chile, China, Ireland, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. He is currently leading the Education Research Group of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) education network (EDNET). His current work focuses on the impact of globalization on education and the integration of Eastern and Western educational practices.
  
  Clock hours will be offered by Seattle Public Schools. Individuals who attend the lecture and stay for the post-lecture discussion hour will be eligible for 3 clock hours at a total cost of $6 ($2/hr.) Please bring a check made out to Seattle Public Schools. We will have a sign-in sheet at the check-in area. We are unable to offer clock hours for the lecture only. Please contact Raymond C. Williams, Equity and Race Relations Specialist, Seattle Public Schools (206.252.0238) with questions.

Affinity Groups:

Definition: To quote NAIS, “The term affinity group is used as a bringing together of people who have something important in common, e.g. race, gender, profession, or special interests. Any significant historical movement or everyday social interaction could probably be traced to the actions of people who share a common experience and passion.”

Affinity groups allow for the following: building community, identifying issues, sharing successes, promoting ideas for action and preparing for deep and honest cross-cultural dialogue with other affinity groups. Participation in an affinity group also provides opportunities for affirmation and celebration. A large number of diversity initiatives in independent schools across the country originated out of conversations in these groups.

Our main vision for creating affinity groups is to provide a safe space for all participants to identify important issues and common concerns through dialogue, using our voices to bring about affirmation, fellowship, connections, and empowerment: to come together for sharing and listening and offering support towards greater understanding.

Affinity groups would be informal gatherings on campus, in homes, a coffeehouse, etc. Participants would self identify. So far we have affinity groups for parents of children with allergies, families of color, and adoptive families. We hope that as we move forward that families will identify affinity groups that they feel are needed.