“Do I belong?” is a question students often grapple with when deciding on a school community to join. For some students, this is a question that they’ve asked themselves countless times during their lives regardless of situational context. This session will explore what we can do in schools to ensure all students feel as though they belong in their respective communities. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice have become the focal points for many of our efforts around creating a culture of acceptance and celebrating difference in independent schools. The goal should be to take it a step further, however, to implement policies and practices that intentionally support ALL students. This session will explore some of the ways in which one school has centered belonging, and attendees are encouraged to share examples of what is working at their schools in an effort to advance DEIJ&B efforts within our respective communities.

Ray Cross, St. Andrew's School (RI)

Alexandra McMullen, St. Andrew's School (RI)

Stephanie Morin, St. Andrew's School (RI)