Communications

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- LOWER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

- MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

- UPPER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

- LOWER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

- MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

- UPPER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

LOWER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Middle school newsletter
UPPER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

• Third graders created a collaborative grade level book, Black History Bios, using Book Creator.  They worked in groups, using the Itty Bitty Bio series in the library, to research important individuals and their accomplishments.  Individuals included Booker T. Washington, Florence Griffith Joyner, Katherine Johnson, Rosa Parks, Mary Jackson, Harriet Tubman, and Martin Luther King Jr.
• In accordance with Lower School's implementation of the Pollyanna Racial Literacy Curriculum, students created self-portraits after mixing paints to find a paint that matches their complexion.

• Students in sixth and seventh grade library classes are preparing for author Mitali Perkins' visit on March 30. After participating in an interactive activity about social identifiers, students are now listening to Perkins' semi-autobiographical novel, You Bring the Distant Near. Perkins' story features inspiring South Asian girl and women protagonists grappling with love, faith, and culture, as well as the intersections among their personal, communal, and national histories.
• Students in eighth grade traveled to USHMM as a continuation of the yearlong Human Rights Unit. In preparation, students read Walls by Hiltgunt Zassenhaus who has connections to RPCS, and Refugee by Alan Gratz.  After studying the timeline of Nazi Genocide, students focused on turning statistics into people by reading short, individual biographies of people persecuted by the Nazis.
• The Middle School diversity conference and began to plan a diversity day, where they will lead diversity sessions to fellow middle schools students.
• The Middle School Black Student Union visited Lower School classes to read books in honor of Black History Month!

• Ninth grade students in history discussed the historiography and Pre-Modern Africa, specifically, students learned how colonialism, imperialism, the Atlantic slave trade, primitivism, and racist ideas continue to impact the ability of current historians to get a clear picture of Pre-Modern African history. They also learned about ancient race relations between Egypt and Nubia, exploring beauty standards from around the world and exploring the social construction of the them. Finally, they investigated how Dahomean and Yoruban religions survive in Afro-Caribbean communities to this day
• Students in AP European History and History of Anti-Semitism went on a field trip to attend the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.
• Lindsay Fitzpatrick’s Upper School English students celebrated Black Women’s History (including LGBTQIA+) every day of the month in their classes. Students received clues and did a few minutes of research to discover a Black icon and competed for both accuracy and speed. There was a “Black Joy” bonus round on the last classes of the last week, where students identified pictures of activists and change makers just smiling and enjoying their lives. They ran for gift cards to Mahogany Books and of course, some bonus points!
• On Friday, February 21, the Black Student Union hosted its annual ‘Black and Beyond: Black Influencers’ Upper School assembly. The assembly featured trivia with categories such as ‘Black Business’ and ‘Firsts but not Lasts’, and winners received prizes. The students ended their presentation by discussing micro aggressions and taking a stand against micro aggressions that they personally faced. Head of School, Caroline Blatti, concluded the program by standing in solidarity with the students and speaking out against micro aggressions.

• On February 4, employees Verna Mayo, Kati Colombat, and Alka Kumar attended a meeting at Roland Park Elementary Middle (RPEMS) to strategize about how to come together as a community against racism, following the racial incident that occurred on Roland Ave in which RPEMS students had a racial slur used against them by an unknown passerby. Following the meeting, RPCS offered faculty members and students the opportunity to create signs for a rally against racism on Roland Ave on Feb 7 at 7:30 a.m., which many RPCS students and employees attended.
• Throughout the month of February, school employees and students participated in Black History Month trivia! Each day, a two-part trivia question was sent to employees, as well as middle and upper school students. Winners of trivia among the employees included Margie McIntosh (top prize), as well as Lindsay Fitzpatrick, Siiri Fowler, Alka Kumar and Dani Kell Steinbach. In the middle school, Ms. Pniewski’s advisory were the winners, and Ms. Nichols’ advisory claimed the prize in the Upper School.

• Lower School had a special morning meeting where they talked about Martin Luther King, Jr. and listened to a historical video about how he came to write his speech. They also discussed service and how it’s connected to MLK. Furthermore, they read books about homelessness, reminding them that it doesn’t always look the way you might think that it does!
• As a Lower School, Hope Bags were created to give to a homeless shelter with a special note from the students.
• On January 14, Black Student Union members read diverse books in the 4 year-old classroom.

• On January 29, Elisha James and Akailah McIntyre led a discussion with all middle school students about Cease Fire Baltimore after watching this TED Talk, standing against violence, considering crime and the reasons for crime. The conversation will continue throughout the year as students work with Mrs. McIntyre and Mrs. James to discuss the criminal justice system.

• Students in Mrs. Bissel’s English 9 Honors wrote poems in response to Claudia Rankine’s Citizen: An American Lyric. The poems focus on individual Black Americans mentioned by Rankine who have died at the hands of the police.
• Below is an overview of what the upper school students have been working on in RED Block:
  • Filmmaking and Change Making: Students in Hanson’s 11^th grade seminar collaborated to produce a documentary about Mitchell’s life and legacy through research, site visits, interviews, and consultation with filmmakers and public figures.
  • Design Thinking and Innovating in Global Health: In Surtees’ class, teams chose an area of pressing concern in health to focus on. They next identified the needs of relevant stakeholders, determined root causes, and examined current solutions landscapes.
  • Installation Art and Social Justice: With Sigler, students explored the contemporary genre of installation art, in which artists use unusual or unexpected media to make a construction designed for a specific space.
  • Model UN: The Art of Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution & Global Citizenship: Khalili’s MUN Red Block students represented constituents, in much the same style as countries in the United Nations and grappled with how they would resolve the crisis of unsafe drinking water in Baltimore City Public Schools.
  • Find Your Voice In Debate: Regale’s class this semester practiced and trained in Lincoln-Douglas styles of debate, held mock debates in class, wrote and delivered opening and closing speeches, gained research skills, and ultimately debated in front of the 8^th grade students and teachers on the place of civil disobedience in a democracy.
  • Exploring the Possibilities of Personalized Medicine – Case Study: Type 1 Diabetes: White’s seminar invited students to investigate and think critically about a chronic disease landscape, using Type 1 Diabetes as a case study. Students also toured a diabetes research lab, heard from individuals who are T1 Diabetics and studied new frontiers of diabetes treatment.
  • Finance and Sustainability: Can Doing Good Also Lead to Doing Well Financially?: Whitman’s seminar examined the role of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing in the current financial landscape. For the final project, each of the four groups was responsible for finding a company that was regarded as socially conscious and financially healthy. The presented their company to a panel of experts and fielded questions about their research.
  • Girls With Impact: Entrepreneurship & Leadership: Metsopoulos’ program, students became the CEO of their own Impact Venture - a business, project, or charity. Through live-online sessions led by a professional business coach and mentored by their classroom Seminar teacher, students came up with their venture idea and began to formulate a business plan, including creating a prototype.
• In AP World History, students are learning about Zanzibar as a trading center, imperialism of South and East Asia, specifically India, China, Japan, and Australia. They are also beginning to examine the Scramble for Africa which focuses on how different African people responded to European actions.
• On January 14, Black Student Union members read diverse books in the 4 year-old classroom.

• On January 13, the Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee of the Board of Trustees convened to discuss the revision of the current board diversity statement and various aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Throughout the month of January, students from RPCS went to Lillie May Carroll Jackson Charter School to make blankets, plush baby toys, and notes to donate to the organization ‘Share Baby’. In these four sessions, they also created signs for Cease Fire Day in Baltimore, which can be found around the school. Students were paired on each of the days as follows: fifth graders with ninth graders, sixth graders with 10^th graders, seventh graders with 11^th graders and 9^th graders with the seniors. Together they formed bonds of sisterhood through community service for MLK Day.
• On January 31, Sarah Rollfinke, Tiana Oguaman, and Akailah McIntyre (members of the Employee Inclusion Council Faculty Task Force), attended a diversity hiring fair of Carney Sandoe in Philadelphia to attempt to recruit more diverse candidates.

• In Mrs. Venick’s second grade class, four Pollyanna lessons were taught focusing on the introduction of geography and the different houses, food and clothing that are found around the world! These lessons were used in preparation to read Rickshaw Girl.
• Fourth grade is focusing on Westward Expansion in Social Studies and Literacy with the two questions, “Who is telling the story?” and “Whose voice is being left out” as a framework for our discussion. They have spent time analyzing John Gast’s painting “American Progress” and the idea of Manifest Destiny, as well as exploring the impact on Native Americans through picture books, discussion, and research!

• In sixth and seventh grade library classes last cycle, students participated in an activity about social identifiers! First, students discussed the difference between the term "identity" and "social identity" under the supervision of Mrs. Fox, the school librarian. They were then asked to work together to match the definitions and examples with the appropriate identifier from a list of social identifiers. Important discussion question came up such as: Why do you think we are talking about social identifiers in library class? How are social identifiers connected to writing, publishing, and reading?  How do your own social identifiers influence your reading choices?

• Mx. de Saint-Felix’s ninth grade history class is examining manifestations of Islamophobia in current American society, investigating Islamic rituals and practices, including the Hajj, and have discussed complicated gender dynamics in Islamic Sharia worldwide. The students are also examining the legacy of Umayyad rule in Spain! Creativity has also sparked as they learn about traditional Japanese art forms, including kabuki, bunraku, noh, calligraphy, enso, haiku, and woodblock prints!
• In another US History class, students have embarked on an in-depth study of the Reconstruction Era using the excellent curriculum developed by Facing History and Ourselves entitled “The Reconstruction Era and the Fragility of Democracy.” Some of the enduring questions which anchor this unit include:
  • The role of the federal government in protecting the rights of individuals.
  • The relationship between force of law and the beliefs of people in determining who belongs in a nation and who doesn’t.
  • The membership and participation of many groups—including African Americans, immigrants, workers, women, and Native Americans—in political and social life.
  • The use and prevention of violence in our society and politics.

• French 5/6 continued to discuss the immigrant experience in France as portrayed in two movies: Inch’Allah Dimanche and Welcome! The students also watched and discussed Les Intouchables, which is based on a true story and deals with issues of class, race and physical ability. The students were encouraged to think about, reflect on and discuss many DEI related subject! Their final presentations included (among others):
  • Les Stéréotypes
  • “Overcoming Alienation and finding one’s identité”
  • The intersection of two worlds
  • “The Struggle between Justice and Morals”
• Four students of Roland Park Country School attended People of Color Conference in Seattle on December 3-6. Upon their return, they presented to students in each division about their journey.
• Members of the Black Student Union (BSU) and White Students Confronting Racism (WSCR) came together to present the importance of the two groups. They shed light on the forms of privilege and oppression the students face in society, as well as the advantages black students at RPCS do not have. The students also wanted to recognize the importance of BSU serving as a safe space to their members and why WSCR is important to serve as allies.

• On December 3-6, the following faculty and staff members attended the People of Color Conference in Seattle: Tori Murrill, program support; Karen Heindenreich, Middle School math teacher; Kim Wilson, library assistant; Beverly Edwards, Lower School librarian; and Akailah McIntyre, Diversity Equity and Inclusion director were those who attended. They then presented to staff about what they learned.
• On December 10, the first Parents of Color Gathering, as requested by parents, was held. Participants engaged in community building activities.
• On December 12, the Parents Diversity Committee meeting that was led by Kristin Tubman, director of global programs at the Boys Latin School where they discussed chapters 1-4 of the book Blindspot.

• Under the direction of the Lower School art teacher, Holly McAslan, first grade students have created character self-portraits! As part of the Pollyanna and art curriculum, students mixed a variety of skin tones discussed in the books “Shades of People” and “The Skin You're In” as well as focusing on brush control.
• Second grade teacher Haley Venick has added new chapter books into her classroom library that features diverse characters! These new series include Mia Mayhem, Jada Jones, and Diary of an Ice Princess.
• “Best Part of Me” poems by the fourth graders in which they celebrated a body part that makes each girl unique were published! These poems were based on the book The Best Part of Me by Wendy Ewald.
• Lower School math teachers Sydney Carter and Becky Stevenson taught STEM by The Numbers, a lesson from Teaching Tolerance, which introduces students to pie charts and percentages. These graphs were applied in the analyses of underrepresented groups of people, based on race and gender, in STEM occupations! Key vocabulary was introduced, such as underrepresented, percent, statistics, and workforce. The class also discussed three reasons why Black men and women, Hispanic men and women, and all women are underrepresented by using words such as power, encouragement, and opportunity!
• The Lower School celebrated World Kindness Day on November 13. As part of the day, students in Haley Venick’s second grade class drew photos depicting different skin colors and representing that no matter the color of our skin, we are all special and unique.  

• Seventh graders in Karen Heidenreich’s class discussed the concepts of how characters in books can be windows and mirrors, in which students can identify with certain characters and gain new insights by interacting with unfamiliar characters. To facilitate their learning, students read Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woods and charted acts of kindness on a graphic organizer. This activity went alongside the lesson from Pollyanna.
• Suzanne Fox, Middle and Upper school librarian, has been working with students interested in learning more about LGBTQ experiences and history. She has taught them how to find books related on the topics they desire to learn! Some books she has spotlighted are Geography Club by Brent Hartinger and Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender, both which highlight the development of identity beyond cisgender.
• Akailah McIntyre visited Ellen’s Krich’s sixth grade classes to discuss the history of slavery and Jim Crow as the students read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. The week before, Verna Mayo visited to discuss the history of the N-Word. All of these concepts are critical to students’ understanding of the context of the novel.

• Erin Crites, our Artist of Residence and friend of Ricky Watson, spoke to a few classes about Clowns Without Borders! She discussed the work she has done in Central and South America as well as Kenya. The focus of the conversations was about life in refugee camps, who the work serves, and the importance of play, creativity, and connection in the midst of recovering from political and natural disasters.
• In Mrs. Colombat’s French 5/6 course, students watched Inch’Allah Dimanche, a French/Algerian film about an Algerian woman who moved to France with her children and her mother-in-law to join her husband in the 1970s as part of the “Regroupment Familial” program. This film explores the difficulties that immigrants face as they try to navigate a new language, a new culture and the stereotypes and preconceived notions all the characters have towards each other.
• The French 3H course memorized and recited Baobab! by Congolese poet Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard for the Birgit Baldwin International Poetry Festival to be held here at school on January 28. They will be doing a personal reflection on the poem and writing their own poem (in January) based on this poem. Erin Hoskins was chosen by the class as a representative!
• On November 18, students from “Project HBCU” visited with the Black Student Union during lunch to discuss the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The students later that evening hosted a movie night, screening the movie “ATL” and offered the opportunity for area independent and public schools to attend.

• On November 26, during our annual all-school Thanksgiving Convocation, Morgan Alexander, Student Diversity Association President, offered a land acknowledgement for the first time, sparking a new RPCS tradition. As part of this land acknowledgement, she noted that RPCS exists on the land of the Piscataway Peoples, Native Americans whose land was forcibly taken from them as a result of colonization.
• The Parents Association and Parent Diversity Association support the start of parent affinity groups, which will begin this month with a group meeting for the parents of students of color. RPCS is the last school of the tri-school to join this effort, and is happy to support those members of our community who are in the minority coming together to be in community with one another. To learn more about the necessity of affinity spaces, please read this or email Akailah McIntyre with any questions.

• For the celebration of Sukkot, a Jewish holiday, a Sukkah was placed on the playground for students to use! In the Sukkah, there were books the children could read during their playtime between October 14-25. This was followed by a presentation from Middle School students to help them learn more about Sukkot and the Sukkah.
• Second grade students began research projects on notable women, including Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo, and Georgia O’ Keefe. They are using either Scratch Jr., iMovie, or Book Creator to make their bibliographies!
• Third grade students were each assigned a “Share Day,” where they could bring in something from home, share pictures, or even ask the class a question for everyone to discuss. Not only did the students speak on why their item is meaningful to them, but they were able to practice public speaking/presentation skills, as well. The Share Day will also prepare the students for their spring activities in which they lead an entire morning meeting!
• “I Am” poems and designed collages are being created by Mrs. Mejibovsky’s fourth graders to focus on attributes that make each of us different and unique. A similar activity was also done with first grade buddies!
• Three Branches and Leaves programs commenced in October. There are now Branches and Leaves for Jewish girls, advised by Heather Samet; students with separated parents, advised by Renee Best; and Brown girls advised by Akailah McIntyre and Sydney Carter. The Jewish girls and Brown girls group meet every two weeks and enjoy visits from Upper School girls to discuss aspects related to their culture!

• The Middle Schoolers created a presentation to help Lower School students learn more about Sukkot and the Sukkah on October 25 (see above).
• Diversity club has begun! Mrs. Akailah McIntyre and Elisha James, advisors of the club, met with students on October 16 to discuss Columbus Day and the importance of honoring Indigenous People.
• Monica Recht’s classes reenacted the Seneca Fall Conventions where they learned the importance of asserting their position on a number of issues that relate to women’s rights and defend their position on those issues.
• Under the direction of student Lauren Blumenfeld, $3,339.15 was raised for the fight against breast cancer on Think Pink Day, nearly three times as much raised in 2018! With the help of Middle School student leaders and faculty, this event was a huge success and 100 percent of the funds will be donated to Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at John Hopkins to support research into funding new treatments and cures for breast cancer.
• Akailah McIntyre spoke to the middle school and upper school on October 17 about appropriate Halloween costumes.
• Under the direction of Ms. Elisha James, there was a ceasefire day at RPCS in support of Baltimore’s Cease Fire Weekend-long event. Each day, the names of victims killed in Baltimore were read, followed by activities to promote peace and awareness within the community.

• Students in Mrs. Vasta and Mrs. Nichols’ Spanish classes read books to Lower School students in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month!
• Students in Level IIIR French are doing a project on typical homes in Francophone countries!
• In Mx. de Saint Felix’s class, ninth grade World History students have been studying how cultures from around the world influence each other for good or ill. During the quarter, they have discussed the important differences between contemporary American and South Asian gender norms and presentations, they critically examined racist and classist beliefs built into the Pre-Modern Indian Caste System, and much more!

• The school created a social media post to commemorate the legacy of Maryland representative and former RPCS parent Elijah Cummings, who passed away on October 17.
• On October 18, the school closed for the National Coalition of Girl’s Schools at The Bryn Mawr School. A number of our very own teachers presented at the event!
• The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the board of trustees held their first meeting on October 23.
• On October 24, two RPCS employees attended an AIMS professional development session to talk about supporting gender non-conforming students.
• An employee inclusion council meeting, which was open to all employees across the school, was held on October 30 to talk about any issues that may be coming up for them.
• Akailah McIntyre and Duncan Booth led a session with staff, including athletics, admissions, communications, maintenance, school store employees, business office, etc. concerning this year’s diversity training to ensure all of the employees on campus are engaging in diversity, equity and inclusion professional development!
• Sara Rollfinke, Dean of Faculty, Tiana Oguaman, English teacher and department chair, and Carolyn Parker, Director of Counseling, attended a hiring for cultural competency event, where they learned about strategies for hiring people who can promote inclusive classrooms!

• Lower School affinity groups begin the first week of October! Details about the groups were communicated to families in last week’s newsletter from Lisa Teeling. All affinity groups will now be referred to as “Branches and Leaves.” This year, we will have Branches and Leaves groups for Brown girls, Jewish girls, and girls with separated parents. Click here to sign your child up! 
• Carlos Duque, who serves as a librarian at Capital City Public Charter School and regularly consults with our Lower School teachers, visited the Lower School on Thursday, Sept 20, 2019. He visited 3s, 4s, second grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade classrooms to observe, work with students, and co-lead the afternoon faculty meeting with Akailah McIntyre, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Carlos will visit RPCS three more times this year, and will work with teachers on reaching their inclusive classroom goals.
• Students in Ms. Mercer’s kindergarten class read the book Princess Hair, in which they discussed the beauty of all different types of hair, including bantu knots, braids, head wraps, and more. Some students shared that they had worn these types of hair styles before, and were excited to discuss their own hair types.
• In Mrs. Soellner’s fifth grade class, students are considering different constellations through a non-western lens. They researched constellations and considered the importance of those constellations through the lenses of other cultures, including indigenous cultures.
• Third grade students are dispelling stereotypes about mathematicians through their “What does a mathematician look like?” board, which is right outside of the third grade classrooms! Students discussed their thoughts about mathematicians, drew photos of mathematicians, and then read a book titled I’m Trying to Love Math. Through this book, they recognized that math is everywhere and that everyone is a mathematician. Teachers then took photos of students and labeled them “What an Actual Mathematician looks like” to remind students that they are all mathematicians!
• Fourth grade students kicked off their “Embracing Our Differences” unit, which focuses of people who are dis/differently abled. Mrs. Mejibovsky highlights that students will engage in dialogue around the texts “Out of My Mind” and “Rules,” and write a series of poems over the coming months about what makes them unique! 

• There are two new affinity groups for students this year in the Middle School: a Black Student Union and Jewish Heritage Club. We also have a Student Diversity Association and Gender and Sexuality Alliance, as we did last year. 
• Akailah McIntyre kicked off the year with a Middle School professional development session in which teachers created goals for their classrooms in regard to considering and teaching about identity, and found resources to support them in their endeavors.
• Mrs. Recht’s classes created skits that discussed the history of native peoples and colonization. Students performed their skits for several captive audiences!
• Beth Venn’s advisory conducted a “get to know you” activity in which they discussed a few of their favorite things as well as their dreams, hopes and goals for the year. As our Director of Learning support, Julie Bierman, routinely notes, students must feel known to feel safe! These activities help our students feel ready and willing to engage in conversations about themselves and others.
• On Saturday, September 21, Middle School teachers Kim Hoffman and Tiana Oguaman, as well as MS/US librarian Suzanne Fox traveled to Dalton School in NYC to learn about their K-8 Racial Literacy Curriculum. They were joined by Assistant Head of School for Academics, Carla Spawn-van Berkum, as well as Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Akailah McIntyre. This trip was an endeavor to continue to support our work to talk about all forms of identity in the K-8 classrooms, including race. 

• Upper School diversity clubs and organizations have kicked off! This year, we are offering the Student Diversity Association, Jewish Heritage Club, Black Student Union, Asian Students Alliance, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, FOCUS, Hispanic Culture Club, and White Students Confronting Racism.
• At a morning meeting on Tuesday, September 17, Upper School students offered an announcement for their peers about what an affinity group is, and will continue to make announcements throughout the year about the groups and their importance. 
• A group of Upper School students and teachers went to go see Ailey II, a diverse dance ensemble that is part of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, at Towson University on Saturday, September 14.
• Students in Megary Sigler’s Fundamentals of Visual Arts (FOVA) class created social justice posters, a continuation of an idea initially sparked by Emily Rohrer. Posters can be found in the art wing and near the grand staircase, and speak out about a range of issues, including trans rights, the Holocaust, domestic violence, body image, and more. Check them out!
• Dr. Cyd Hamilton’s classes are having discussions about similarities and differences. Students grapple with the fact that humans’ DNA only differs by less than 0.01%. What does this mean in terms of the ways that we are all both alike and different, and in terms of the judgements that we make about one another? Do animals also make judgements? Dr. Hamilton notes that these questions led students into a discussion about community level dynamics and mutualism versus antagonistic interactions. Dr. Hamilton has also highlighted great woman scientists as part of her lessons. 

• The Parent Diversity Committee will host its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, October 2 at 6 p.m. in the Trustee Seminar Room. Not able to attend in person? A “zoom” link will be sent out in advance so that you can join virtually! 
• Communication was sent out to all families earlier this week about appropriate Halloween costumes. Please read that email, titled “Halloween Reminder,” and reach out to Akailah McIntyre should you have any questions about your child’s costume. 
• The Offices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Counseling, Learning Support and the Library have teamed up to create a bi-weekly newsletter for teachers! The newsletter features tips for teachers to consider as we continue to work toward centering student voices, experiences, and wellness. 
• The Employee Inclusion Council, a collaborative group that’s open to any employees interested in discussing matters of DEI, will host its second meeting of the year on September 23 at 3:30 p.m. 

In the Lower School…

• Students from Lillie May Carroll Jackson Charter School came to read to students at Brown Girls Rock during their meeting on May 1.
• Akailah McIntyre read to Kindergarten (May 8) and 1st graders (May 3) about how great it is to celebrate different skin colors and hair types through the books “Colors of Us” and “Big Hair Don’t Care.”
• Kindergarten has been doing a great job learning how to discuss differences, likes, and dislikes by practicing their use of appropriate language. They have also been focusing on how all of our differences make us unique. 
• On May 20, upper school student Yuting Xie read to the 3rd grade a book about her Chinese culture and explained many customs.
• On May 15, parents of students in the group “Brown Girls Rock” joined the meeting to read with their students and help them create portraits of themselves. Please come join us on June 3 for our end of year Brown Girls Rock celebration! We welcome any and everyone to attend! Click here to RSVP.

In the Middle School…

• On May 2, the official Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah), Middle School students and employees read the names and ages of victims of the Holocaust from 9 to 11:30 a.m. They did so to honor their lives and pledge that we will stand against hatred, now and moving forward.
• On May 7, Middle School teachers participated in a professional development session with Akailah McIntyre during which they considered their own identities and grappled with how their identities impact their teaching.

In the Upper School…

• On May 1, the official Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) Upper School students and employees read the names and ages of victims of the Holocaust from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They did so to honor their lives and pledge that we will stand against hatred, now and moving forward.
• A few weeks ago, the Black Student Union sent students at Lille May Carroll Jackson School an invitation to submit essays about leadership to win a scholarship. BSU students have reviewed the essays and selected six winners. The students from Lillie May will attend morning meeting on May 21 to be awarded their prizes and will then have lunch with the club afterward.
• At morning meeting on May 9, Brylen Hatcher informed the community that it is mental health awareness month and offered statistics for the community to consider regarding mental health. Furthermore, Julianna Brunn and Rebecca Zipper addressed the student body about another recent synagogue attack in California and violence in Israel and Palestine before leading the students in a moment of silence. Finally, Maria Ferariu gave a presentation about Romania, informing the community of facts about her native country and offering compelling images.
• On May 10, students who identify as Jewish gathered with Ms. Schulz, Jewish Heritage Club advisor, to discuss what they’d like to do next year to have more conversations about Jewish Heritage within our community.
• On May 21, Members of our Black Student Union presented Lille May Carroll Jackson students with scholarships for school supplies after the students were essay winners in the club’s “Funds for Future Leaders” Scholarship.
• On May 15, students who are seeking to form an allyship group met with Lukah Callanan, who works with the non-profit Fusion Group, to talk about what they can do to be better allies for students of color. 
• On May 22, 9th grade students spoke with Ms. Malfa about what empathy looks like, and how to hear other people across lines of difference. The conversation was based on the work of Brene Brown andthis video. Students engaged in one-on-one conversations and were also able to share their thoughts with the larger group.

In the Community…

• June 3 is an open Brown Girls Rock session! We invite any and everyone of all backgrounds to come visit Brown Girls Rock in the Lower School library at 3:10 p.m. Pizza will be served! Please click here if you plan to attend.
• The employee inclusion council held its final meeting of the year on Wednesday, May 8, during which the group, which meets monthly to discuss matters of diversity and inclusion across the school building, reflected on the diversity efforts of the year and considered what they could do next year to further our efforts.
• The parent diversity committee held its final meeting of the year on May 8. They introduced the new committee structure for next year. We will have divisional representatives for the committee. Interested in serving as a representative for your division? Email ParentDiversity@rpcs.org or McIntyreA@rpcs.org.
• May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage month! Upper School students will be reading to Lower School/Pre-K students in honor of the month.
• Rosetta Lee, diversity practitioner, visited RPCS on May 22 and 23. She spoke with faculty about biases and education, with parents about parenting with identity in mind, with middle school teachers about gender inclusivity, and with lower school teachers about the benefits of affinity spaces.
• On May 20, Thobeka Mngambi From St. Stithians College in South Africa visited RPCS to learn more about our math program and diversity and inclusion efforts. We also learned more about the work that her school is doing regarding inclusivity. 
• On May 20, the task forces of our school’s employee inclusion council met with Caroline Blatti to debrief on the work that the council has done this year, including hiring more diverse faculty, working on parent education, and promoting diversity within the student body.

In the Lower School…

• Our Lower School students did a great job performing at Multicultural Night on Sunday, March 31! Dances were performed by Lexy H., Fifi J., Khloe K., Aveon G., Mackenzie B., Sage E., and Milan G. Musical performances were by Sloane M., Morgen K., and Gretchen K. There were representations of many cultures present, and the potluck dinner following the performances featured dishes from India, Africa, France, Ireland and more!
• On Thursday, April 4, Eva L. presented at a Lower School morning meeting about her Korean heritage. She wore a traditional Korean dress and discussed its significance, and dressed a friend in traditional attire as well. Afterward, there were Korean snacks available for students to try!
• On Friday, April 5, the Roses performed a dance in honor of Black women in history for the Lower and Middle school students. The dance featured the voices of students in the Lower School affinity group “Brown Girls Rock.”
• On April 18, Carlos Duque, a lower school librarian and diversity practitioner at Capital City Public Charter School, returned to RPCS for the third time to observe classrooms and consult with teachers. In the afternoon, he co-led a professional development session with Akailah McIntyre about bias and inclusion, in correspondence with the all-faculty read “Blindspot”.
• In fourth grade, as part of their interdisciplinary unit on Westward Expansion, the students designed family memory quilts and wrote an essay which celebrated their cultural traditions, special family trips, and much more! Also, as part of their Responsive Classroom work during Morning Meeting, the fourth graders researched important women from the She Persisted books. Students created visuals to represent each woman’s accomplishments. Finally, students participated in a pre-reading bias activity as they kicked off their adventure/survival unit in fourth grade literacy. Students were asked to analyze a series of statements connected to the novels and a small group/whole group discussion followed. They will revisit these statements at the conclusion of our novels.
• Andrea Davis Pinkney, award-winning children’s author, visited the Lower School on April 26. She read with students and even had conversations about disability awareness.

In the Middle School…

• On Friday, April 5, the Roses performed a dance in honor of Black women in history for the Lower and Middle school students. The dance featured the voices of students in the Lower School affinity group “Brown Girls Rock.”
• On Tuesday, April 19, students in the Middle School diversity club continued conversations about religious diversity, including Sikhism and more.  
• Middle School students could opt to participate in a day of silence on Friday, April 12 to honor members of the LGBTQ community who are silenced in schools. They wore ribbons to indicate their choice.
• On April 25, RPCS hosted a Middle School Student Diversity Conference. Upper School students facilitated groups of Middle School students and there was a panel of independent school alums as well as a performance by Wombwork Productions during which students affirmed their identities. One hundred and eighty students were present from Boys Latin, Loyola Blakefield, St. Paul's School for Boys and St. Paul's School for Girls, Bryn Mawr School, Garrison Forest, McDonogh, Gilman, St. Elizabeths School, Calvert School, RPCS, Maryvale, Baltimore Collegiate, Friends, Park School, and Roland Park Elementary and Middle School. There were 18 Middle School students in attendance from RPCS and two facilitators from the Upper School.

In the Upper School…

• Our Upper School students did a great job performing at Multicultural Night on Sunday, March 31, which was coordinated by our Student Diversity Association (President: Nettsaanett Gray, Vice President: Morgan Alexander)! Gabi Dorsey performed a poem written by Sade Johnson, and Bridget Liu, Sylvia Zhang, Alyson Zhang and Lavinia Wang performed a musical selection. There were representations of many cultures present, and the potluck dinner following the performances featured dishes from India, Africa, France, Ireland and more!
• On April 4, The Black Student Union presented to the student body about important Black leaders, historically and modernly. They discussed forgotten Black inventors and business owners, athletes and musicians who give back to their community, and more. The presentation included trivia and prizes for the student body. There were performances by Chris Robinson and Hannah Andrews. The program ended with a tribute to victims of police brutality. 
• The week of April 8 was Ally Week in the Upper School, hosted by the GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance). Students could opt to wear rainbow ribbons all week to show their support. On Monday, there were beads in everyone’s common spaces to make bracelets throughout the day. On Tuesday, there was a rainbow dress down day with uniform skirts in honor of the LGBTQ flag. On Wednesday, the GSA had a bake sale in the morning. All the proceeds from the bake sale went to the Trevor Project, which works to prevent suicide in the LGBTQ community. On Thursday, there was a Kona Ice truck on campus. On Friday April 12, students could opt to participate in a day of silence to honor members of the LGBTQ community who are silenced in schools. They wore ribbons to indicate their choice.
• On Friday, April 5, 14 students attended a diversity conference at McDonogh School, working in groups with other students to discuss topics related to inclusion.
• Kellan Szpara, RPCS class of 2004, came to speak to upper school members of the GSA about his experience as a transgender man on April 25.
• As part of our leadership program, our ninth grade students began learning about the UN Sustainable Development goals in their Leadership Seminars.  Their discussions about how best to approach the 17 goals led to conversations considering how equity amongst all peoples needs to be one of the main priorities if we are to make headway on these important goals. Other threads of the discussions brought in the importance of recognizing how each of us can find support in the many different communities to which we belong.
• On April 26, all Upper School students watched this video in honor of the 50^th anniversary of our first Black graduate during morning meeting.

In the Community…

• On Tuesday, April 16, Roland Park Country School hosted its annual Holocaust Day of Remembrance Convocation. The program featured Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg from Beth Tfiloh, who gave an empowering speech about how we must come together as a community to continue to combat bigotry and hatred. Caroline Blatti, Head of School, opened the program. Cantor Ann Sacks offered the invocation and performed Ali Malei Rachamim, the Mourner’s Kaddish, and the benediction. Members of the Jewish Heritage club performed the poem “First They Came” and did the candle lighting ceremony, which was introduced by Jewish Heritage Club advisor Sarah Schulz. There was a luncheon following the program.
• Administrators from RPCS (Caroline Blatti, Duncan Booth, Lisa Teeling, Lindsay LaRue, and Akailah McIntyre) visited The Gordon School in Providence, RI on Tuesday, April 23 to learn about their equitable flexible tuition models and their affinity group structure.
• On Sunday, April 28 in the Athletic Complex, RPCS hosted a continuation of the celebration of our first Black graduate, Deborah Williams. The program featured keynote speaker Regina Boone, the unveiling of a celebratory video of 50 years of Black students at RPCS, and a community brunch afterward.

In the Lower School…

• Our librarian, Bev Edwards, has had books by Black authors and books that feature Black characters on display for Black History Month! Students have been able to check out extra books if they check them out!
• Our 2^nd grade got to ride on a real Rickshaw from DC as part of their reading of “Rickshaw Girl” by Mitali Perkins. It is a book about a girl from Bangladesh. As part of their book study, they also created their own Rickshaws!
• Students from the Black student Union read to the 3 and 4-year olds as well as 3^rd and 5^th grades for Black History Month! The 3^rd grade students discussed why we still have the months and also discussed its importance.
• Ms. Edwards has been teaching her students about the sit-ins that began in Greensboro, NC in honor of Black History Month and to help students gain a better understanding of the activism that occurred during the Civil Rights Movement.
• On February 28, our LS faculty continued their discussions about implicit bias by discussing chapters 3 & 4 of the book “Blindspot” with professional development led by Akailah McIntyre. They also had a video chat with Liz Kleinrock (of the Instagram name @teachandtransform) about various strategies to use in the classroom to discuss identity. They ended their professional development session by taking Harvard University’s implicit bias tests, which are designed to help make us more aware of the biases that we all hold. Take one of the tests yourself at implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.

• Seeran Enayet, a George Washington University student whose family is from Bangladesh, came to speak with our second graders about what life is like there! The students asked questions of our guest and saw various items that he has from the country.

• On March 8, the Roses (an upper school dance group) performed a dance in honor of Black women for Black history month (it was rescheduled because of snow). The performance featured the voices of lower school students in our “Brown Girls Rock” lower school affinity group, who narrated the biographies of the women being honored.

In the Middle School…

• Students came to have lunch with Mrs. McIntyre in her office on March 1. It was an opportunity for Mrs. McIntyre to get to know more about the students and vice versa.
• SPARK week will take place at the end of April until May. There are a range of topics that students can choose from in an opportunity to broaden the horizons of learning!
• In honor of Women’s History Month this March, students will be sharing “Did You Know?” facts about women in history during morning meeting.
• Ms. Sigler led students in Black History Month trivia about Black woman artists during morning meeting on Feb 26. She gave descriptions about the various artists to students and then had them look at art work and attempt to guess who the artists of the works were.
• Members of the GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) emailed teachers offering up inclusive ways to address students, such as “friends”, “comrades” and more.

In the Upper School…

• On February 22^nd, 12 students attended McDonogh’s “Sankofa” conference about diversity. They discussed the American Dream, prison system, played the game “Factuality”, and discussed mental illnesses.
• On March 1, students from China gave a presentation about their home countries in an effort to make students more aware of where they come from and show their pride about their homelands.
• Students from the Black student Union read to the 3 and 4-year olds as well as 3^rd and 5^th grades for Black History Month!
• Akailah McIntyre visited Mrs. Hanson’s junior history classes and talked about the history of Blackface and its modern significance. She also had the same conversation with the 9^th grade students.
• In conjunction with their reading, Mrs. Khalil’s class are discussing the origins of African American Vernacular English and its relevancy in texts and modernly.

• On March 8, the Roses performed a dance in honor of Black women for Black history month (it was rescheduled because of snow). The performance featured the voices of lower school students in our “Brown Girls Rock” lower school affinity group, who narrated the biographies of the women being honored.

• On March 6, upper school faculty continued discussions about the book “Blindspot”, which discusses implicit biases that we all hold.

• Seniors won our Black history month trivia challenge! They were the division with the most correct answers to the questions, which were sent daily in the month of February. They were rewarded with pizza on March 8.

In the community…

• On February 19^th, we held a listening session in which parents came and discussed diversity and inclusion initiatives around the school. B on the lookout for communication from the Parent Diversity Committee about standing meetings!
• Multicultural Night will take place at 4 PM on March 31^st! Don’t forget to sign up to audition by clicking here. Click here to bring a potluck dish.

• Our school-wide Black history month trivia has concluded and our first place employee winners were: Alison Keim, Noemie Fiske, Beverly Edwards, Siiri Fowler, Lindsay Fitzpatrick, Emily Rohrer, and Alka Kumar. Congrats!

• April 28 will be a continuation of our celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the first Black alum. There will be a ceremony in the library beginning at 10 AM and a brunch immediately following, which will be $15 per person.

In the Lower School…

• On February 14^th, the lower school had a cultural exchange with 24 Chinese elementary school children attending morning meeting and visiting our 3^rd and 4^th grades with their teachers. The visiting Chinese students performed during morning meeting (singing, playing the piano, and more). RPCS students in Chinese in 5^th grade performed a play for the visitors and RPCS students in Chinese in grades 3&4 sang. 
• On February 15^th, lower school faculty visited Capital City Charter School is Washington, DC to observe classrooms and consider what diversity and inclusive practices look like in their lower grades

In the Middle School…

• Students have been presenting “Did you know?” Black history facts during morning meeting time in honor of Black history month
• On Tuesday, Feb 12, Akailah McIntyre came to talk with students about the concepts of “fair” versus “right” and the lower school affinity group
• On Thursday, Feb 14, Elisha James led middle school students in a conversation about religious diversity during Student Diversity Club. Students talked about different types of religions, their different practices, and more. The conversation will continue at the next Student Diversity Club meeting.
• On Thursday, Feb 7, Akailah McIntyre led a professional development session with middle school faculty in which they discussed pronoun usage and implicit biases (in accordance with our whole-school reading of the book “Blindspot”)
• On Tuesday, February 5^th, some middle school students attended AIMS Making School Safe conference and had discussions about gender inclusivity.

In the Upper School…

• Upper school students have been participating in daily trivia questions for Black history month. The grade with the most correct answers will win a pizza party!
• On February 13^th, Upper School Head Ereni Malfa and Upper School Art teacher Emily Rohrer presented to upper school faculty about their experience at this year’s People of Color Conference, which was in Nashville this past November
• On February 7^th, upper school students viewed the film “Becoming Johanna”, about the experience of a transgender teenager. Afterward, they had discussions about the film in advisories
• On Tuesday, February 5^th, some upper school students attended AIMS Making School Safe conference and had discussions about gender inclusivity.

In the Community…

• On Feb 19 at 6 PM in the Faissler, there will be another parent listening session to discuss diversity and inclusion efforts at the school. Please come to share your thoughts and have community with parents in other divisions! Click here to RSVP.
• On February 15, Alex Myers, a transgender man, came to speak with all faculty to discuss gender inclusivity and identity
• All employees are participating in daily Black history month trivia questions! Top winners will receive gift cards
• Multicultural Night will be on Sunday, March 31!

In the Lower School..

• 4^th and 5^th graders, organized by Ashley Soellner, presented to fellow lower school students during morning meeting on January 18^th about the values that Dr. King embodied and what we can all be doing to continue to embrace those values. Following the presentation, the lower school will be sent weekly challenges that they can complete in order to honor the legacy of MLK!
• In the second week of January, Akailah met with pre-school and lower school teachers to discuss the goals that they have set for their classrooms regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. They discussed what progress the teachers are making and what further support they feel that they need.
• On January 17^th, Akailah McIntyre visited the lower school parent network meeting to discuss the affinity group in the lower school, including what the group currently looks like, how it’s being discussed with students, why we’re doing it, and what are plans are for affinity groups in the future.
• On Thursday, January 17^th, lower school faculty engaged in conversation about chapters 1 & 2 of the book “Blindspot”, our all-school faculty read about the biases that we all hold. We also had conversations about the lower school affinity group and discussed strategies that can be used to discuss the group with students and answer any questions that they might have.
• In the third and fourth weeks of January, Akailah McIntyre and Lisa Teeling talked to all students in the lower school (grouped as K/1, 2/3, 4/5) about the affinity group “Brown Girls Rock”. We did an activity and discussed the difference between what’s “fair” and what’s “right”, with the understanding that even though some things may not always be fair, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t necessarily the right thing to do for some of our students. There were discussions about why we have the group, how students can join and who can join, as well as conversations about affinity groups that students would like to have next year. Students gave many examples of groups that they’d like to have in the future, including groups for students with divorced parents, groups for Jewish students, and more.
• As indicated by Ms. Sims (3^rd grade teacher), during the 3rd^rd grade morning meetings, there is a weekly goal being worked on. Beginning last week, the goals are aligned with the values learned from our Martin Luther King Day presentation. They discuss what the value is and how it applies to our lives at school. Throughout the week, Ms. Sims & Ms. Rosenberg check in on how students are doing with meeting the goal. 3rd^rd grade read “Separate is Never Equal” and discussed the inequalities people of color faced in regards to schooling and how laws were changed to prevent discrimination. They also read “Be Kind”, and wrote in their journals about the message of the story and how one small act of kindness can make a big difference. Ms. Sims and Ms. Rosenberg plan to possibly use puppets to act out a scene or two from this book.

In the Middle School..

• On January 14^th in the middle school faculty meeting, Beth Venn presented on her experience at the People of Color Conference this past November and led faculty through an exercise in which they considered what “inclusion” means.
• In both the Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and the Diversity Club, students had discussions about LGBTQ issues, including representation of LGBTQ students in the media and current issues facing LGBTQ students.
• On January 18^th , Ms. Mayo led students in a conversation about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of activism. Students also completed an activity in which they considered what they wanted to be remembered for.
• Students from Ms. Hoffman’s Middle School Digital Literacy class, Erin Hoskins & Hannah Hochstein, recorded and compiled a video in which faculty and students from all three divisions discussed affinity spaces and why they matter. The video will be presented in various settings, including with lower school teachers and families.
• As indicated by Mrs. Allen, middle and upper school French teacher, 8th grade French is viewing and studying the film Au revoir les enfants by Louis Malle in conjunction with the 8^th grade unit on the Holocaust
• As indicated by Mrs. Hoffman, middle school history teacher, as part of the Human Rights Unit in 8th Grade, RPCS students are connecting with ESOL students at Dumbarton Middle School.  At a class meeting, 8th graders learned who their pen pal was and wrote an introduction letter. RPCS is working with Jill Williams, ESOL Department Chair at DMS to connect students. Our hope is to create a dialog that starts with the written word and ends with face to face meetings. 
• As indicated by Mrs. Hoffman, a cornerstone of the 8th grade Human Rights Unit is the class trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  The trip was Thursday, January 30.  At the museum, students met with a Holocaust survivor, Halina Yasharoff Peabody.  Students have been immersed in learning how, “The Holocaust did not begin with killing; it began with words” by examining the timeline of Nazi propaganda, laws and decrees. Students have been reading “Walls” by Hiltgunt Zassenhaus and discussing the impact of bystanders, collaborators and rescuers.
• At a morning meeting on Friday, February 1^st, Black and Brown students from the middle school were invited to come serve as mentors for students in the “Brown Girls Rock” lower school affinity group. Students in the upper school Black Student Union already serve as mentors for lower school students in the group, and this is a great opportunity for the affinity space to become a whole-school initiative. The group is every day 6 from 3:15-4 PM. Please email Akailah McIntyre (McIntyreA@rpcs.org) if you are interested in your child serving as a mentor. Still not sure why affinity spaces are important at this age? Please click here to read more, or come to our parent listening session on 2/19 at 6 PM in the Faissler Library.
• Students in the Diversity Club were set to discuss diversity among religions on Jan 31. Because 8^th grade students were on the Holocaust fieldtrip, that meeting has been moved to February 14^th. Please encourage your child to attend if they’d like to talk about different religions!

In the Upper School..

• On January 9^th, Upper School Faculty had their 5^th professional development session of the year in which they focused on reflecting on their own personal identities and considering the ways in which those identities influence their teaching practice.
• On February 19^th at 10:30 AM, an assembly will be held in which people from various backgrounds speak about what activism looks like for them. Speakers include non-profit workers, a teacher/writer, and an artist/professor.
• Students from the Black Student Union continue to educate their peers about Kwanzaa. On January 10^th, students presented about the Kwanzaa principle “Ujima”, citing its meaning of “Collective Work & Responsibility”, referencing various organizations with the name, and citing ways that we can demonstrate the principle.
• On Thursday, January 31^st, students in the upper school Student Diversity Association (SDA) presented about modern-day activists and had students consider a cause that they’d like to be activists for. Activists that they highlighted included Emma Gonzalez, Miriam Jordan, Laverne Cox, Deray McKesson, Linda Sarsour, and Xiuhtezcatl Roske-Martinez. Prior to their presentation, SDA students sent a survey to the entire upper school asking questions about activism, including who their favorite activists are, what questions they have about activism, and how they describe activism. Students from SDA also shared those survey results during their presentation.
• As indicated by Mr. Cooper, upper school World Language teacher, for their Arabic III midterm project, students interviewed Johns Hopkins students who grew up in Egypt. They spoke in Arabic about cultural differences between Egypt and America, and their lives as college students. Students recorded the interviews on video, and wrote English subtitles.  
• As indicated by Mr. Jackson, upper school History teacher, Mr. van Kampen (learning specialist) has been speaking with World History students about his experiences of teaching and living in The Democratic Republic of the Congo. He lived there from 2013-16 and taught at an American school in the nation’s capital.  World History classes have been studying European imperialism in Africa – The Scramble for Africa. Mr. van Kampen was able to skillfully explain to the students how the Democratic Republic of the Congo is still, in many ways, feeling the horrific impacts of imperialism even today.
• The following updates are as indicated by Mrs. Parker, Director of Counseling…
• On January 31^st, there was a lunch meeting with Amanda Eby, the Director of Scholar Development at Lillie May Carroll Jackson School, to prepare 13 peer health students to start a series of five social emotional classes for the 5^th grade class at LMCJS on healthy friendships, problem-solving, social media, mindfulness, and body changes.
• On January 29^th, there was a health education training held at RPCS for public, private, and charter school teachers and administrators and included Jabari Lyles, the LGBTQ Affairs Liaison to the Baltimore City Mayor.
• On February 4^th, there will be a free parent event that RPCS is offering in tandem with the conference on the evening of February 4th--The Family Journey: Raising Gender Nonconforming Children. This parent evening event from 7:30-9:30 will be open to all AIMS School families and consists of a documentary screening and then a presentation and q/a with the filmmaker Jonathan Skurnik. 
• On February 5^th, Over 50 students and faculty will attend the Making Schools Safe conference promoting safety and well-being for all LGBTQ students in independent schools.
• On February 7^th, all Upper School students will watch “Becoming Johanna”, another film created by Jonathan Skurknik.

In the Roland Park Country School Community...

• In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, RPCS, in partnership with Lillie May Carroll Jackson School, is participating in a social justice book drive that will benefit head start programs in Baltimore City! As we know, early literacy is vital to students’ academic advancement, and exposure to diverse books at young age makes a tremendous, long-term impact on children’s perspectives and empathy. Please consider donating books by visiting bit.ly/justicebooks. We would like to receive all books at RPCS by January 30^th. Email McIntyreA@rpcs.org with any questions!
• The Parent Diversity Committee’s next Parent Listening session will be held on Tuesday, February 19^th at 6 PM in the Trustee Seminar Room. Please click here to let us know what you’d like to discuss in advance of the session. We look forward to seeing you then and hearing your perspectives on diversity & inclusion at RPCS!
• Thank you to all who donated to our Social Justice Book Drive! Students from RPCS as well as LMCJS came together to read books and build community. We will be donating the books to local YMCA headstart programs.
• On February 19th at 6 PM in the Faissler Library, the Parent Diversity Committee will be hosting the 3^rd parent listening session of the year. Please click here to RSVP if you plan to attend. Childcare and dinner will be provided.
• We will be having Multicultural Night again this year! Please stay tuned for details about the date.
• The author of many articles on affinity spaces, diversity practitioner Rosetta Lee, will be visiting RPCS to talk about affinity spaces and why they’re important to promote inclusivity. Please plan to join us for a parent coffee on May 23^rd at 8 AM!

In the Little Reds…

• In the second week of December, Members of the Black Student Union (Gabi Dorsey, Tavianne Maultsby, Logan Void, Nettsaanett Gray, and Brylen Hatcher) came to talk with the 2s and 4s about Kwanzaa- they read books, sang songs, and did arts and crafts. They’ll come and talk to the 3-year-olds next week!

 In the Lower School…

• On Dec. 6, Lower school teachers had their 3^rd professional development session of the year in which they were provided a binder of resources to get the conversation going about diversity and inclusion related topics with students! Take a look at those resources here. They also set goals about practices they’d like to implement in their classrooms, and got a copy of the book “Blindspot” to read and reflect about the biases that we all hold.
• 4^th grade has an awesome board about the different parts of themselves that they like- including different eye and hair types! They also wrote descriptions about what they love about themselves.
• Do you still have questions about the lower school affinity group for girls of color called “Brown Girls Rock”? If so, Akailah M. will be at the 8 AM Lower School Parent Network meeting on January 17^th to answer any questions that you may have. We will also discuss strategies for explaining the group to your children, and hear from students in upper school about why the group would have been meaningful for them at that age.
• In Ms. McAsian’s first grade art class, students have begun their self-portrait unit! They learn how to draw curly, straight, and braided hair, as well as how to represent texture visually. They discuss the differences in eye, skin, and hair color and read the book “Shades of People."

In the Middle School…

• On Dec. 11, Akailah M. came to talk with Ellen Krich’s 6^th grade English students about Jim Crow laws in conjunction with their reading of “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry”. They looked at examples of household items from the Jim Crow Era in order to grapple with the idea of how such practices became normal. They asked great questions and had wonderful ideas!
• On Dec. 7, Middle School GSA met with Upper School GSA in order to talk through ways that they can continue to work together. One specific initiative that the group continues to push forward on is a gender-neutral bathroom at RPCS. The initiative has been approved and a sign will be placed on the bathroom near the Sinex that states “All Genders”.
• On Dec. 4, Middle School Diversity Club played a great interactive game about different hair types created by 8^th grader Erin Hoskins! There were conversations about products and tools used for different hair types, and discussions about what hair has looked like through different eras.
• On Dec. 10, middle School faculty members had their 2^nd professional development session with Akailah M. on Monday, Dec 10. The session was on “Teaching Black Girls”, and faculty was presented with data about Black students in particular and discussed practices that we can all use to be more inclusive. They also all got a copy of the book “Blindspot” to read and reflect about the biases that we all hold.
• Mrs. Allen’s 6^th grade French students recently completed a study of Francophone countries and regions around the world. Francophone countries are countries where French is the official language of the country. These countries represent people from a variety of backgrounds, complexions, etc.
• In Ancient History, Mrs. Hoffman’s 8^th graders recently completed a unit on Judaism and the Israelites.  The essential question for this unit was “How did early Jews develop and maintain a distinct cultural identity?”.  Students discussed the monotheistic nature of Judaism versus the polytheistic religions of Egyptians and Mesopotamians.  Over the course of the unit, students learned about the unique beginnings of Judaism and the early hardships they faced that shaped their course in history.  In conjunction with this unit, we assigned an article of the week entitled, “The word Jew was not a common insult when I was in school…it is now.” 

In the Upper School…

• On Dec 7, Middle School GSA met with Upper School GSA in order to talk through ways that they can continue to work together. One specific initiative that the group continues to push forward on is a gender-neutral bathroom at RPCS. The initiative has been approved and a sign will be placed on the bathroom near the Sinex that states “All Genders”.
• In the second week of December, Members of the Black Student Union (Gabi Dorsey, Tavianne Maultsby, Logan Void, Nettsaanett Gray, and Brylen Hatcher) came to talk with the 2s and 4s about Kwanzaa- they read books, sang songs, and did arts and crafts. They’ll come and talk to the 3-year-olds next week!
• On Dec. 5, Upper school teachers had a DEI-related PD session led by Carolyn Parker (Director of Counseling), Robin Prescott (math teacher), and Akailah M. about the importance of building relationships with students. Surveys were given to students prior to the session so that teachers were able to consider their opinions about how to best build relationships with them.
• Students in Ms. Rivkin’s ceramics class are creating a range of diverse pieces, including Greek amphorae, Native American wedding vases, and Chinese agateware.
• On Dec 6, students who attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Nashville (Olamide Oyenusi, Logan Void, Amy Eisenberg & Caroline Kleis) presented to upper school students about what they learned. They led them through a series of activities to get them thinking critically about their identities, including a staring exercise, mapping out their own social identifiers and how they feel about them (gender, socioeconomic status, family structure, age, race, etc.) and practicing speaking from the “I” perspective.

In the Lower School...

• Mr. Keiffer Mitchell, grandson of civil rights activist Juanita Jackson Mitchell and father of RPCS 9th grader Kenna Mitchell, came to speak with 5th grade students about his late grandmother, the work she was a champion for, and their relationship.
• 5th grade students in Megary Sigler's art class are working to create hats in honor of civil rights hero Juanita Jackson Mitchell, who was well known for her adornment of them. Those who have finished have their hats displayed outside of the Faissler library. Be sure to check them out!
• On Friday, Nov. 16, our 4th and 5th grade students posed questions to Black alum who visited a lower school morning meeting as part of the celebration of our first Black graduate, Deborah Williams (1968). On the panel was Dr. Tara Bynum, 1998,  Ms. Tanaira Cullens, 2008, and Ms. Sharon Bowie, 1976 (also the first Black teacher at RPCS). From questions about uniforms that were worn when they went to RPCS to questions about if they were treated differently as Black students, the lower schoolers had a lot to say and were excited to learn.
• Our affinity group for students of color, "Brown girls rock", had its first meeting on Nov. 6. Our next meeting will be on Nov. 26 from 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM. At this meeting, students will get their Black Student Union big sister/little sister pairs. They are so excited, and we hope that this pairing will foster mentorship and conversations across divisions.
• Akailah M. came to lead an inclusivity exercise with 3^rd grade students about who we choose to be friends with, why, and how we can start to work toward friendships that go beyond what we can see at face value. Prior to Akailah coming in, Renee Best also spent some time with the students talking about the qualities of a good friendship! Want more books to read more books about unity? Try this book list!
• “Brown girls rock”, our lower school affinity group, had its second meeting! This time, students were paired with girls in the upper school Black Student Union. They colored pictures of Black and Brown characters with the older girls and talked about what they really enjoyed about what makes them unique. It was an affirmative bonding experience!

In the Middle School...

• Students in Monica Recht's class gave speeches as members of the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848. They practiced empathy while embodying the persona, life, and perspectives of women of varying backgrounds of the time
• RPCS will officially host the Baltimore Middle School Diversity Leadership Conference on Friday, April 25, 2019. More details to come
• On Friday, Nov. 16, Middle School students Aylin Metzel and Erin Hoskins facilitated a panel of Black alum who visited during a morning meeting as part of the celebration of our first Black graduate, Deborah Williams (1968). On the panel were Dr. Corrin McBride Hunt, 1999, Ms. Rianna Matthews-Brown, 1997, and Ms. April Fahr, 1991.
• We will host the Baltimore area’s Middle School Student Diversity Leadership Conference on Thursday, April 25! Students from area independent schools will come to RPCS to attend and present at various workshops that relate to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. More details to follow!

In the Upper School...

• 12 students attended a Diversity Leadership Conference on Saturday, November 11. They presented on various diverse topics, such as gender, sexuality and race
• Members of the Black Student Union moderated an upper school panel for the November 16th Celebration of RPCS' first Black alum. They also had a luncheon with the alums and moderated the 5:30 PM reception
• On November 7, Upper School faculty had a professional development session about teaching Black girls
• On November 12, faculty members in the English, History and Arts departments had a professional development session about race and the n-word in teaching, and Science teachers had a session about how diversity & inclusion work applies to science curriculum
• Four students (one from each grade) attended NAIS’ National Student Diversity Leadership Conference. They had conversations about gender, sexuality, race, identity, etc. and considered the questions they should be asking in order to make our school community more inclusive. Students will present what they learned at the conference to the entire upper school body on Thursday, Dec 6. Remind your student to apply to attend next year! Applications will go out in the summer of 2019!
• “Brown girls rock”, our lower school affinity group, had its second meeting! This time, students were paired with girls in the upper school Black Student Union. They colored pictures of Black and Brown characters with the older girls and talked about what they really enjoyed about what makes them unique. It was an affirmative bonding experience!

In the Community…

• There will be another Parent Listening Session on Monday, December 10th at 6 PM in the Faissler Library. Faculty members who are doing work related to Community & Inclusion will be present to hear from parents and speak about all that's happening in our school building!
• Our November 16 celebration of our first Black graduate was a great success! We saw approximately 150 guests attend to honor the legacy of Deborah Williams, 1968. Thank you so much to all who made this event possible!
• Our Dec. 10 Parent Listening Session has been rescheduled until after the new year! More details to follow.
• The employee inclusion council had its final meeting of the year the last week of November. We reflected on the DEI work that has occurred so far this year and considered the specific characteristics of what’s going well with those events so that we can continue strategic momentum into the new year.

In the Lower School...

• On Tuesday, October 16^th our 4^th and 5^th grade students watched this video on building a Sukkah! They had lots of questions for Upper Schooler Julianna Brunn (from the Jewish Heritage Club) about Sukkot and were excited to be able to learn more.
• On Tuesday, October 9^th, 5^th grade learned about Celia Cruz with Upper School students Nia Green and Lauren Fried. They read the book “My name is Celia”. There were conversations about people of different races who speak Spanish, and students learned more about what the word Hispanic means. Not certain what the difference is between terms like Hispanic and Latin American? Click here to learn more!
• In the aftermath of recent hate crimes in our nation, there have been conscious efforts made to have conversations with students about religious diversity. At this past Friday’s whole school morning meeting, the students read books featuring Jewish characters so that our students are minded that members of the Jewish faith are just like the rest of us. 3^rd grade will have a visit from the Jewish Heritage Club this upcoming week.
• Our lower school affinity group for girls of color starts this Tuesday, Nov. 6. Click here if you would like your child to attend.
• Kwame Alexander, Newbery medal winning author, came to visit the lower and middle school students on Nov. 1! They sang songs together and he signed books. It was a great time!
• Akailah McIntyre, Director of Diversity & Inclusion had a conversation with 4^th graders about allyship on Nov. 2! Students learned about words like “upstander” “ally”, and why we should work toward using the word “differently abled” instead of “disabled”.
• Our lower school teachers had their second diversity & inclusion professional development session on Oct. 25. There were discussions about representation of people of color historically and modernly, and about practices that we can put in place in our classrooms to work against normalizing the dominant culture.

In the Middle School...

• 7^th grade student Arianna Carr led our middle school diversity club meeting on Wed. Oct 17 about media bias. Click here to see the video we watched. Questions that you might be able to ask at home are: Where do we get our news from? Do you think that the news we’re getting is written from a specific point of view? What can to broaden the perspectives that we’re exposing ourselves to? Try this website to get a glimpse at news articles being presented in different ways.
• On October 15, Middle School Faculty had their first Professional Development Session with Akailah McIntyre, Director of Diversity and Inclusion. They grappled with a few equity quotes and considered how they might respond to various scenarios that relate to Diversity & Inclusion in regard to students.
• Members of the GSA made an announcement during a morning meeting about Coming Out Day, which was October 11. This is the 30^th Anniversary of the holiday, which encourages people to be open about who they are. Click here to learn why we still celebrate Coming Out Day in 2018.
• On Monday, November 5^th, Garrison Forest School will host a panel on Historically Black College & Universities from 7 PM to 9 PM. Transportation for families to and from RPCS will be provided. Please email Akailah McIntyre at McIntyreA@rpcs.org if you and your child(ren) are interested in attending!
• Students had a “Mix it Up at Lunch!” Day on Oct. 23! Elisha James summarizes the event:  Tuesday, October 23^rd was National Mix It Up Day. Research indicates that during lunch, students often sit with the same group of people. Therefore, students miss the opportunity to learn more about people in their community. Leaders of our Community Council, Student Government Association, Visual and Performing Arts and Athletic Association planned Mix It Up Lunch to encourage members of the community to step out of their comfort zones, and get to know other people. Student leaders created mixed grade-level groups and led those groups in conversations and games during lunch. The Mix It Up Lunch stretched students to embrace peers across grade-levels and as a result, rich conversations were started and the community made stronger. Throughout the remainder of the year, student leaders will plan more Mix It Up Days.
• Kwame Alexander, Newbery medal winning author, came to visit the lower and middle school students on Nov. 1! They sang songs together and he signed books. It was a great time!

In the Upper School…

• On Tuesday, October 16^th our 4^th and 5^th grade students watched this video on building a Sukkah! They had lots of questions for Upper Schooler Julianna Brunn (from the Jewish Heritage Club) about Sukkot and were excited to be able to learn more.
• On Tuesday, October 9^th, 5^th grade learned about Celia Cruz with Upper School students Nia Green and Lauren Fried. They read the book “My name is Celia”. There were conversations about people of different races who speak Spanish, and students learned more about what the word Hispanic means. Not certain what the difference is between terms like Hispanic and Latin American? Click here to learn more!
• Members of the GSA made an announcement during a morning meeting about Coming Out Day, which was October 11. This is the 30^th Anniversary of the holiday, which encourages people to be open about who they are. Click here to learn why we still celebrate Coming Out Day in 2018.
• On Monday, November 5^th, Garrison Forest School will host a panel on Historically Black College & Universities from 7 PM to 9 PM. Transportation for families to and from RPCS will be provided. Please email Akailah McIntyre at McIntyreA@rpcs.org if you and your child(ren) are interested in attending!
• On October 17, Upper School Faculty had their second Professional Development session with Akailah McIntyre, Director of Diversity & Inclusion. They took a look at various images from the Jim Crow Era and talked about what representation of People of Color in the media and our daily lives looks like. They also discussed what we can do in our classrooms to actively work against stereotypical portrayals of People of Color.
• Our upper school Jewish Heritage club plans to write cards to members of the Pittsburgh Community who have been affected by the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting this week, and hosted a tri-school Jewish Heritage Club student conversation to process the tragedy on Nov 2.
• The Student Diversity Association showed this video at a morning meeting to consider Halloween representations and hosted a subsequent lunchtime student conversation. This video was a follow-up to Mrs. McIntyre’s conversation with the students a few weeks before the holiday.

In the Community…

• On October 29, the Parent Diversity Committee will host its first event in the Faissler Library from 6 PM to 8 PM. From 6:00-6:45 PM, there will be an introduction to the Parent Diversity Committee. From 6:45-8:00 PM, there will be discussions about how we can start to view Halloween through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• On November 7 at 6 PM, RPCS will be partnering with parent diversity committees at Bryn Mawr and Gilman to host the game “Factuality”. Attendees will be active participants in the game, which will explore structural inequalities right here in Baltimore! The event will be at Bryn Mawr in the North building. RSVP to parentsassociation@brynmawrschool.org by November 1 to attend!
• Nov. 16 is the 50^th Anniversary of the 1^st Black RPCS graduate! We will host a reception in the Faissler Library at 5:30 PM. RSVP by Nov. 9 by clicking here!
• Our Parent Diversity Committee held its introductory meeting on Oct. 29, including conversations about Halloween representation. We will host a parent listening session on Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. Details to follow!
• On Wed., Nov 7 at 6 PM, the Parent Diversity Committee will host a great tri-school event about structural inequalities in Baltimore at Bryn Mawr School. Participants will play a game in an interactive format. See you there!
• Nov. 16 at 5:30 PM in the Faissler Library is the celebration of our first Black alum! Click here to RSVP if you haven’t yet!

In the Lower School...

• Upper School Students came to Kindergarten to read a book about Hispanic Culture and discuss Hispanic Heritage Month. They will visit K-5 classrooms with Akailah throughout the month. Looking for great books to read with your child at home about Hispanic Heritage? Click here!
• Carlos Duque (a LS librarian in DC) came to lead the first of 7 Culturally Responsive Teaching sessions with LS faculty on Thursday, Sept 20. Teachers watched this TED talk about the dangers of a single story and read articles about micro-aggressions. While here, he & Akailah observed classrooms and met with teachers and faculty members across the school to discuss culturally responsive teaching practices (even with our littlest 2s teachers!).
• 4^th grade students wrote poems about who they are, their hobbies, and what makes them unique. They performed them before an audience, including HOS, Caroline Blatti! Looking for books to read at home that empower girls? Try the “Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls” series or the “She Persisted” series. They are great for K- 5 students!
• Upper school students have continued to visit and read books about Hispanic Heritage with lower school students! By the week of Oct. 8, they will have visited all K-5 classrooms. Looking for books that represent diversity among Latinx people? Try this list of books that contains Afro-Latinx characters.
• Starting this past week and continuing for this coming week, members of the Jewish Heritage Club will be coming to lower school classrooms to read books about Sukkot (though the holiday has already passed -it was Sept 23 to Sept 30 this year- we continue to recognize and remember that learning about all cultures is a year-long activity)!

In the Middle School…

• The Student Diversity Club has its first meeting, led by Akailah McIntyre (the Director of Diversity & Inclusion) and Elisha James! Wondering what diversity-related resources that you can use with your middle schooler at home? Try this video to get their wheels turning about race and perceptions around it. Follow up questions might be: What do you notice in this video? What questions do you have after watching it? What does it make you reconsider? What experiences do you have that you think are shaped by your race, gender, etc.?
• The middle school GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) also held its first meeting (sponsored by Megary Sigler)! It was well-attended and the students are excited to get started. Students introduced the group using the following message: “GSA stands for Gender Sexuality Alliance. This means that we will discuss topics about gender and sexual orientation as well as equality and empowerment of the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) community. And we will also find ways to celebrate the many related awareness days during the year, like Day of Silence and Coming Out Day. The club will be a safe, friendly, and fun space for everyone, no matter how you identify. Attendance will not be taken at the meetings, so everyone can feel safe and comfortable to join in.” Wondering why we’re having a GSA in the middle school? Take a look at this article.
• There was a day full of wonder and learning on October 3 as the middle school spent the day engaging with their all school read, Stella by Starlight. The book discusses an 11-year old girl growing up in the segregated south. Prominent themes that the students learned about were racism, civil rights, community, kindness, and fairness. The 8^th grade team coordinated the day, and it included a workshop about community & intersectionality with Akailah McIntyre, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, to start. Then, students had conversations in small groups about community experiences and worked on community posters. They then had the pleasure of watching a live actress from the Lewis museum portray Civil Rights leader Juanita Jackson Mitchell. Finally, they ended the day with a panel of speakers who talked about what life was like for them under segregation. The panel included Yvette Matthews (MS after-care coordinator), Dr. James Fuller (uncle of Elisha James, Dean of Students), and Janice the Griot (the actress from the Lewis museum). It was a blast!
• Looking for more books about civil rights? Try this book list!

In the Upper School…

• Upper school students came to Kindergarten to read a book about Hispanic Culture! They will visit K-5 classrooms throughout the month.
• Upper School students had their first all-school DEI session with Akailah McIntyre, the Director of Diversity & Inclusion. They had discussions about what it means to speak your truth, and how to begin to move away from the idea that all minorities share the same experiences. Want to extend the conversation with your child at home? Try starting with this video. It discusses the idea that Hispanic people come from various backgrounds and have an array of experiences.
• On Wednesday, September 26, Upper School Faculty had their first DEI Professional Development session of the year! We sparked conversation about various quotes related to diversity & inclusion, and considered how to address DEI-related matters both within and outside of the classroom using scenarios.
• Under the guidance of Lisa Diver, the Semis create bulletin boards representing a musician of the cycle. There has been a specific focus on music by different Hispanic musicians during National Hispanic Awareness Month, and the first group was assigned to do a board reflective of Gloria Estefan.
• Upper school students have continued to come visit and read books about Hispanic Heritage with lower school students! By the week of Oct. 8, they will have visited all K-5 classrooms. Looking for books that represent diversity among Latinx people? Try this list of books that contains Afro-Latinx characters.
• Starting this past week and continuing for this coming week, members of the Jewish Heritage club will be coming to lower school classrooms to read books about Sukkot (though the holiday has already passed -it was Sept 23 to Sept 30 this year- we continue to recognize and remember that learning about all cultures is a year-long activity)!

In the Community…

• The first Employee Inclusion Council meeting happened on Tuesday, Sept 18. 28 teachers and employees from across divisions came together to talk about the needs of our community as it relates to DEI work. The council will designate task forces in the coming month to focus on specific DEI agenda items, and will continue to convene once per month. More to come!
• The Parent Diversity Committee, a collaborative effort between the Parents Association and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, is getting started! It is being chaired by parent Shannell Cockrell. An introductory meeting will be held on Oct. 29 in the Faissler library at 6 PM. Interested in joining the committee? Email parentdiversity@rpcs.org. More details to follow!
• As a branch of the Employee Inclusion Council, we are happy to announce that we have created three task forces to work on specific initiatives related to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. They are: The student task force, the faculty task force, and the community task force. Nine employees, across divisions, are members. They will begin meeting every other week starting this month.