DEIB - Eton School

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DEIB Committee

Committee Purpose Statement

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) committee at Eton School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment where all members of our school community feel valued, respected, and empowered. Our committee works collaboratively to address and dismantle systemic barriers, promote diversity, celebrate differences, and ensure that every individual feels a strong sense of belonging. Through our policies and initiatives, we strive to create a safe and nurturing educational environment that embraces the unique identities and experiences of all students, families, faculty, staff, and board members. Policies outlined herein do not supersede any information, policies, or procedures outlined in the Eton School Employee Handbook.

Member Photos and Subcommittee

Shared Language

To communicate most effectively with each other about DEIB, it is important to have a shared understanding of common acronyms, terms, and definitions.

Term	Definition
ABAR	Acronym for Anti-bias and Anti-racist
Ableism	Beliefs and practices that devalue and discriminate people based on their ability
Anti-bias	Actively working against biases
Anti-racist	Actively working against racism
Belonging	The feeling of being seen, heard, and valued for your authentic self
BIPOC	Acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Body Neutrality	A movement that encourages a person to accept their physical body as it is, even on the days that they may not love, or feel positive about their body and/or abilities
Body Positivity	A movement that encourages everyone to have positive feelings and love for their body every day, no matter what it does or what it looks like
Colonization	Establishing control over a place and/or people
Critical Race Theory (CRT)	The examination of how race and racism have influenced social systems and institutions in America
Decolonization	Active resistance to colonial powers
Discrimination	The unfair treatment of a person or people based on an aspect of their identity
Diversity	Representation of a variety of different identites, including race, ethnicty, religion, gender identity, physical ability, neurodivergence, etc.)
Dominant Culture	A culture established as standard for an entire group of people
Environmental Justice	Fair treatment of all people in the implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, practices, and policies
Equality	Offering the same treatment, access, and opportunity to all people with no consideration to the specific needs of people or groups of people
Equity	Offering fair treatment, access, and opportunity to all people, while working to eliminate specific barriers for a person or group of people
Ethnicity	The identity of a group of people based on cultural characteristics (ie language, ancestry, ritual, etc.)
Fat Acceptance	A movement that seeks to normalize larger bodies and helps promote size inclusivity
Gender Expression	The way people externally communicate their gender identity to others
Gender Identity	A person's innermost concept of self as male, female, both, or neither. Unrelated to biological sex or sexual orientation
Gender Role	Set of expectations and behaviors assigned to females and males by society
Implicit bias	Unconscious and unintentional attitudes or stereotypes that can affect a person's actions
Inclusion	The act of creating environments in which everyone feels welcomed and respected
Intersectionality	The way in which social identities such as gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and class intersect to create unique dynamics and effects in regards to power and privilege
Marginalized	A person or group of people regarded with little or no importance that has a lesser amount of power
Micro-aggression	Subtle and often unintentional insults or actions against people that belong to marginalized groups
Model Minority	Harmful stereotype of Asian Americans that characterizes them as universally successful and high achieving
Neurodivergent	A difference in neurological function from what is considered typical
Nonbinary	A person that does not identify with a specific gender
Privilege	Advantages given to a person or group of people that have identities that match those of the dominant culture
Race	The identity of a group of people based on physical characteristics, especially skin color
Racism	The belief that race is a determinant of superiority
Sexual Orientation	Identity that corresponds with the gender(s) that a person is attracted to
Social Construct	An idea that has been created by society
Social Identity	The collection of physical, cultural, and social characteristics that tie a person to different social identity groups
Social Justice	Creating and sustaining equality in society, including opportunities, rights, and treatment
Socioeconomic Class	Hierarchy based on fiscal wealth and social class
Stereotype	A common and shared belief about a person or group of people that is not based on fact
System	A number of different pieces that work together to acheive a common purpose
Systemic	Relating to the entirety of a system
Transgender	A person whose gender identity is not the same as the gender they were assigned at birth
White Fragility	A defensive reaction by white people in response to racism
White Guilt	Feelings of shame or remorse held by white people in response to racism
White Supremacy	Belief that the white race is superior to all other races

Eton Community Education Archives

DEIB Speakers

Talking about Race & Racism with Ijeoma Oluo (Recording)

Seattle resident Ijeoma Oluo (ee-joh-mah oh-loo-oh), writer, speaker, internet yeller, and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, So You Want to Talk About Race, headlined the virtual Eton Community Education webinar on 28 April 2022.

In So You Want to Talk About Race, Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to “model minorities” and how race and racism infect almost every aspect of American life. During this event, she will discuss this bestselling work to guide our community toward having more honest conversations about race and racism.

It's Not Your Imagination, Kids are Different Today with Jenn Cort (Recording)

The first speaker for Eton Community Education was Jen Cort who spent almost two hours with our community on the evening of 28 October 2021. In her excellent presentation, she provided research and information regarding how children are different today and took the time to answer questions. She also provided consent for us to record the presentation and to share it, which is what we are doing here.

One Book

2022-2023 One Book

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she’s the only Indian American student, and home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand why she’s conflicted—they only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma, although their names are linked—Reha means “star” and Punam means “moon”—but they are a universe apart.

Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick.

Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can’t stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She’ll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma’s life.

About the Author: Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in Massachusetts, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor-winning novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of novels and picture books, fiction and nonfiction, in prose and poetry. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, she lives outside Boston with her family. Visit her at rajanilarocca.com.

Watch the video below to learn more about our One Book and the culminating event with the author.

2021-2022 One Book

Eton One Read: So You Want to Talk About Race?

In So You Want to Talk About Race, the title of each chapter serves as a question—from Is it really about race? toTalking is great, but what else can I do? These questions come up in our lives, and we may wonder how to respond to them. In her book, Oluo takes you on a journey through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to “model minorities” and how race and racism infect almost every aspect of American life. She encourages readers to invest in self-assessment, to be open to challenges, and she offers guidance for starting and continuing difficult conversations in addressing race and racism.

The DEIB committee chose her as a speaker and this book to help guide us as a community towards having more honest conversations about race and racism. We have purchased copies of her book for every staff member and have a few extra copies for the school library for parents/guardians to check out. Watch the book-talk video below from our Teacher Librarian, Poppy Louthan, to learn more about the book as part of our first Eton One Read: How One Book Becomes Many. Then read the book and watch for conversation starters and more in your upcoming Community Connections.

Juneteenth

Podcasts

Community Partnerships

“The Bellevue Diversity Advisory Network is made up of a diverse group of 21 members who provide counsel to the city on how to better reach, serve, communicate and collaborate with Bellevue’s diverse communities.”

“Bridging Legacies Across Campuses (BLAC) is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and supporting diversity in educational settings. Through collaborative partnerships and a commitment to equity and belonging, BLAC aims to empower students and educators alike, facilitating meaningful dialogues and actionable change within our communities.”

Eastside Pathways, a collective of public and private organizations on the Eastside serving children, is a member of StriveTogether, a national network of 70 community partnerships that use the principle of Collective Impact framework as the way to effect deep, long-lasting systemic change to support local education systems. The approach is based on individual responsibility and collective accountability, using data to drive actions and decision-making and focusing on continuous improvement. (http://eastsidepathways.org/collective-impact/)

POCIS Northwest strive to connect, empower and strengthen the BIPOC members of our schools and our regional independent school community by providing opportunities and programming for education, growth, and engagement.

POCIS Northwest offers our member schools resources and programming to support their DEI goals that enhance the student experience in learning, engagement, and connection.

POCIS Northwest's aim is to:

Promote dialogue among educators, students, and families of color in our schools
Provide learning opportunities for our member schools’ broader communities
Build community and belonging in our schools
Help to attract more families of color to our member schools

Vision: A safer, more informed and equitable community for the queer population on the Eastside.

Values

Integrity: How we act toward others is consistent with our mission and our principles. It is the essence of who we are and what drives us – with unwavering honesty and respect.

Authenticity: We come to each discussion, interaction and relationship with an open, honest sense of self, and expect our partners to do the same. We embrace transparency in our communications and operations, and we foster genuine relationships with our communities, partners and supporters. As a guiding principle, we are humble in our learning, adaptive in our approaches and inclusive while providing sincere support.

Inclusivity: We foster all voices that come from a place of love and celebrate diversity to not only include but embrace and honor the sacred lived experiences of our community. Through action and listening, we ensure that all are represented.

Adaptability: While serving the needs of our 2SLGBTQIA+ & BIPOC communities, we are dedicated to remaining flexible, open to change and resilient in the face of evolving needs and challenges. With the use of innovation and continuous improvement, we navigate shifting circumstances while staying true to our mission and values. This ensures we can effectively address the ever-changing landscape of queer rights and their well-being, while remaining rooted in our core principles.

Professional Development

Professional Development 2024-2025

Eton School nurtures a passion for lifelong learning in all of its community members. This includes faculty and staff! This year there are multiple opportunities planned for DEIB-centered professional development. These opportunities include:

Summer Read

All staff members were encouraged to read one of five DEIB-focused books over the summer. During fall in-service, staff met in groups led by DEIB Committee members to discuss the books and enrich learning by sharing their different perspectives and experiences.

Book Choices:

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong

Same but Different by Holly Robinson Peete

Subtle Acts of Exclusion by Tiffany Jana & Michael Baran

Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick

POCIS Equity & Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series

Dr. Gholdy Muhammad
9 October, 5:00 p.m.

Dr. Muhammad works with teachers and young people across the United States and South Africa in best practices in equity, anti-racism, and culturally & historically responsive instruction. She is the author of the best-selling book, Cultivating Genius: An Equity Model for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy.

Elena Aguilar
23 April, 5:00 p.m.

Elena Aguilar has worked in education since 1994. Her years of teaching, coaching, and leading teams in the Oakland, CA public schools deeply inform the eight books she’s written and the trainings she designs and facilitates. Elena is committed to creating equitable schools and organizations where everyone thrives.

POCIS BIPOC Voices Fall Summit

Liz Kleinrock
15 October

Liz is a Korean, Jewish, queer, transracial adoptee, antibias and antiracist nationally recognized educator, author, and consultant. She works in classrooms of many kinds and is also an antibias antiracist facilitator and consultant for schools, organizations, and companies across the country. She received Learning for Justice's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in 2019 delivered a TED Talk called "Education Everywhere" on building foundations of equity with young learners. She is also the author of Start Here Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community

Eton One Book Discussion: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidst

4 November 4:00 p.m., 14 February 9:00 a.m.

As we dive into our One Book, we invite community members, employees and parents/guardians alike, to talk about it. Join a book discussion to share perspectives and enhance learning.

Using Play to Manage Behavior in Educational Environments with Cary Hamilton

6 December

Play therapist Cary Hamilton returns to Eton School this fall to host both a Parent Education Breakfast and all faculty professional development session on 6 December. Cary is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and Child-Parent Relational Therapist, qualifications that demonstrate her intense passion for working with children and families to improve their emotional and behavioral regulation. She provides effective solutions for a host of life challenges.

Recognizing and Disrupting Microaggressions with Rosetta Lee

28 March

Since 2004 Rosetta has been a diversity speaker and trainer on a variety of issues, including cross cultural communication, identity development, prejudice reduction and coalition building, gender and sexuality diversity, facilitation skills, bullying in schools, and gender bias in the classroom.

Professional Development Archives

2023-2024

2023-2024

2023-2024 Staff DEIB Professional Development

Eton School nurtures a passion for lifelong learning in all of its community members. This includes faculty and staff! This year there are multiple opportunities planned for DEIB-centered professional development. These opportunities include:

2023 Summer Read (August 2023)

All staff members were encouraged to read one of five DEIB-focused books over the summer. During fall in-service, staff met in groups led by DEIB Committee members to discuss the books and enrich learning by sharing their different perspectives and experiences.

Book Choices:

For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts: A Love Letter to Women of Color by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez, a 2023-2024 Equity and Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series presenter
Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide by Britt Hawthorne
Seattle from the Margins: Exclusion, Erasure, and the Making of a Pacific Coast City by Dr. Megan Asaka, a 2023-2024 Equity and Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series presenter
The Sea in Winter by Christine Day
Viral Justice: How to Grow the World We Want by Ruha Benjamin, a 2023-2024 Equity and Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series presenter

Building a Language Affirming School Culture (August 2023)

All staff members participated in this workshop that highlighted the importance of affirming identity through language by pronouncing names correctly and honoring personal pronouns, and how doing so increases feelings of belonging.

Equity & Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series (5 October 2023; 8 February 2024; 13 March 2024; 23 May 2024)

The purpose of this series is to raise awareness, challenge ourselves, deepen understanding, and empower communities to advance their efforts to actively recreate systems into equitable, inclusive, and antiracist institutions. The program invites 4-5 speakers throughout the academic year, providing access to recognized authors and speakers who engage participants in complex topics through dialogue and cross-cultural communication.

Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) Fall Educators Conference: Activating Cultures of Belonging (13 October 2023)

The focus of this conference is how educators can activate and foster a sense of belonging in every individual within their institutions. Supporting neurodiverse learners, centering mental health and wellness, and cultivating diverse and equitable environments are the three main pathways for learning.

American Montessori Society (AMS) Traveling Symposium (14 October 2023)

This symposium presents a series of workshops and spotlights that focus on current practice and Maria Montessori’s philosophy. Workshops offered include A Montessori Model of Inclusion, Working with Students with Neurodiversities, and Anti-racist Work in Schools Serving Majority of White Students.

BIPOC Voices (20 October 2023 and TBD)

BIPOC Voices is a program, created by POCIS Seattle, that brings together educators of color (teachers, school counselors, and administrators) working in its member schools for fall and spring summits. Through BIPOC Voices summits, educators share ideas, offer support and encouragement, and discuss ways that independent schools can implement the ideas and approaches shared by guest speakers and other leaders in DEI-related work.

Lighthouse Building Virtual Sessions with A Queer Endeavor (2 November 2023 and 1 February 2024

The goal of these two virtual sessions (fall and winter) is to center concepts that can be walked up through all grade-levels at Eton—identity and community – and position attendees as “lighthouses” of knowledge within the community.

Connection Before Correction: Neuroscience, Post-COVID Trauma, & Regulation in Educational Settings (9 November 2023)

Pre-elementary and Lower Elementary staff will attend this workshop with Dr. Cary Hamilton to deepen the skills necessary to support neurodivergent students.

Executive Functioning (9 November 2023)

Upper Elementary and Middle School staff will attend this workshop with Ben Wahl from Ryther to deepen the skills necessary to support neurodivergent students.

Creating a Brave Space (29 March and TBD)

Montessorian and antiracist educator Britt Hawthorne will provide a daylong in-person workshop, along with two virtual critical checkpoint sessions, for all staff that will examine educator bias, analyze current classroom materials for stereotypes and stigmas, and deepen understanding of racial identity development.

We believe in the worth and dignity of all people.

We learn, reflect, grow, and effect change through dialogue, education, and action.

We foster a community that acts with compassion, embraces discomfort, thinks critically, questions norms, and welcomes the world’s multiple perspectives.

We use our voices, challenge ourselves and others, and stand up for ourselves and others against injustice.

We champion, cultivate, and celebrate all members of our community so that we all participate as our full authentic selves, and thereby become stronger in our shared diversity.

DEIB Calendar