Continuing to Work Toward a More Equitable Society
Roughly 250 members of our community joined us on the WES soccer field last Saturday, to march for racial justice and show support for Black lives. The demonstration was organized by local high school students, many of whom are WES alumni. The rally’s speakers reflected on being Black in America, as well as their experiences with racism within their communities and schools. We then marched down Little Falls Parkway to Arlington Road and circled back to finish at WES.
The protest was very well-organized and a testament to the gifts and talents of our alums. Many members of the WES Family, including both current and past parents and faculty, attended this high-energy event. I was incredibly proud to see our alumni and other young adults use their confidence, passion, and leadership skills to promote positive change.
The rally was also evidence of how much work we still have left to do in creating a more equitable society. In my last newsletter I shared about our faculty’s professional development work over the summer in this area, and now I am pleased to announce that Courtney Clark will join the administrative team as our new director of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She will continue to teach a few art classes as she transitions into her new role.
Courtney and Dr. Dibinga will collaborate with the administrative team and faculty in our efforts to ensure our curriculum reflects multiple perspectives as well as content centered on respecting and embracing differences and acting against bias and injustice. She will coordinate the Faculty and Parent Diversity Committees, and help us maintain a focus on recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retaining faculty and professional staff who reflect and support a diverse and inclusive school community.
Courtney has demonstrated tremendous passion, knowledge, and skills in this area through her work on the Faculty Diversity Committee, and we are excited to have her in her new role.