Faces of Diversity

Celebrating diversity in the classroom and community...to honor and actively explore the varied backgrounds and traditions that are represented among us.

Commitment to Diversity

At The Caedmon School, we truly embrace diversity in all aspects of our community. We believe in confronting issues with honesty and strive to educate our community about differences within our Caedmon family. The endless variety of culture, talent, and personality is explored throughout the curriculum, sought out and welcomed through the admissions and hiring processes, and celebrated in the daily life of our school.

The family-driven FACES of Diversity Committee (formed in 2002) has awakened the Caedmon community to many subtle, yet powerful facets of diversity. The initiative has become a fun and informative journey for Caedmon families, parents, teachers and staff, bringing us together in new ways that enrich our curriculum and our community.

The faculty and staff at The Caedmon School reflect the diversity of the student body. Diversity training is an essential part of faculty meeting and covers topics such as language sensitivity, cultural awareness, and curriculum planning. As part of professional development work, members of the faculty and staff attend diversity workshops throughout the school year. Each summer, several faculty members attend the Summer Diversity Institute intensive training through the National Association of Independent Schools.

Cultural and Racial Diversity

Typically, 25% of our children are not born in the United States, coming from as many as 30 different nations around the world. One-third of our families identify themselves as families of color. Our community openly honors and respects the many perspectives and traditions brought to the school by the families.

Economic Diversity

The Caedmon School values may socio-economic perspectives. We strive to create an educational environment that is a realistic reflection of openness and society. The school offers financial aid to maintain a socio-economic balance within our community.

Family Diversity

The Caedmon community cultivates an attitude of religious curiosity and acceptance and an environment of genuine multi-spiritualism. The annual multicultural holiday concert brings varied religious traditions together under a common theme and is celebrated by the entire community; the library curriculum explores major spiritual philosophies; and, with the help of Caedmon's families, festivals and religious holidays from around the world are celebrated in the classrooms. In holding true to the school's founders, Caedmon offers an optional religion class to those Catholic families who wish their child to participate and prepare for first communion.

Faces of Diversity Committee

The FACES of Diversity Committee has wakened the community to more subtle, yet no less powerful faces of diversity, such as language and look-ism, family structure and sexual orientation, physical and intellectual capabilities, and cultural, spiritual, and economic diversities. Recent FACES events have included: "What Makes a Family" photo exhibit, Celebrating Asian Culture, Modern Day Dads, Tim Wise speaking on the topic of white privilege, the Moms and Daughters panel, and A Panel Discussion on Sexual Identity to Promote Awareness and Sensitivity. When Mr. Gene Batiste, Vice President of Equity and Justice Initiatives at the National Association of Independent Schools, spoke with our community he remind us:"Diversity...should not be viewed as a goal, but as a process. This work never ends."

Affinity Groups

The Caedmon School provides opportunities for affinity groups to meet to discuss issues of interest. Families as well as faculty are welcome to participate in these meetings throughout the year. As interest arises, additional groups are welcome and encouraged to form.

 

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