A Message from Evergreen School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Dear Evergreen Community, 

We are shocked, angry, and heartbroken about the death of innocent Black lives at the hands of police officers. The killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery and the devastating impact of COVID-19 on Black communities are just the latest egregious examples of police brutality, systemic racism, and racial disparities in the United States. When we see Amy Cooper call the police and pretend she is being attacked by a Black man, it supports the misconception that Black men are guilty of violence and criminal activity.  These misconceptions and countless others continue to provide scaffolding every day for a racist system from which only some of us benefit. It is particularly important for non-Black people, to call out racism when they witness it and take action to effect change.  We stand with our Black and Brown students, parents, teachers, and community members in acknowledging the systemic racism that persists in our country and insisting that we must dismantle the systems that enable it to persist. 

At Evergreen we believe that schools should be places where students and their teachers are seen, heard, and safe; where conversations around race and racism regularly occur; and where an anti-racist community is nurtured through ongoing professional learning for all staff, parent education, and community discussion. Evergreen’s Mission and Values stress our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In 2018, the Board of Trustees revised Evergreen’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement, which reads in part: 

At Evergreen, we strive to intentionally embed the values of diversity, inclusion, and equity throughout our programs and daily life. Our classroom curriculum places special emphasis on the exploration of culture with the express purpose of celebrating the heritage, dignity, and worth of each child. Students develop their sense of self and expand their social worlds through an inclusive Montessori curriculum that provides a broad perspective on the diversity of human experience. Moreover, we actively empower students to identify and reject bias, prejudice, and inequity. As they take these critical steps towards appreciating the complexity and interconnectedness of the world around us, their capacities for kindness, compassion, and empathy grow. (Read the full statement here.)

We are fully committed to this statement. As part of our ongoing work in diversity, equity, and inclusion, we formed a DEI Committee composed of trustees, parents, faculty, staff, and the Head of School in Fall 2019. The purpose of our Committee is to develop and promote strategies and best practices in the realms of racial, social, and gender diversity. Our commitment to DEI does not end with diversity. Creating an environment, which is equitable and inclusive—and allows our children to grow fully into their best selves—requires unwavering dedication, reflection, deliberate planning and action, and ongoing accountability. As parents, educators, and community members, we know that the steps we take today are the first of an ongoing journey together to make Evergreen School even more inclusive, equitable, and safe for all children.

 

In Solidarity,

Kate Greene, President Board of Trustees and Evergreen School DEI Committee 

Tesfa Alexander, Parent

Michelle Black, Trustee

Katie Conlon, Trustee and Parent

John DeMarchi, Head of School

Andrea Dickerson, Trustee and Alumnus Parent 

Felicia Hatziyannis, Elementary Teacher and Parent

Adrienne Henck, Former Trustee

Tanya Palacio, Trustee and Parent

Dan Rosenthal, Trustee

Kimberly Sandridge, Primary Teacher and Parent

Kara Stegeman, Director of Admissions