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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB)

At McGillis, we are committed to being an equitable school and creating an equitable world. We want our school to be a place where every child and adult can be themselves, where they belong and feel included. 

Nothing is more important to us than helping every individual feel seen, heard, and valued.

One of the reasons we joined McGillis is because we wanted to join an existing conversation on anti-racism, rather than start it."Candace Chow

DEIB at McGillis

2018

Conducted NAIS Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) Survey with our community

2018

McGillis faculty attended NAIS People of Color Conference

2019

McGillis Board of Trustees adopted new Diversity and Inclusion Statement

2019

Faculty and Board attend professional development sessions led by DEI Committee and Alison Park from Blink Consulting on identity, cultural competency, implicit bias, white privilege, and anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy

2020

The Learning Center opens to serve the needs of children with language-based learning differences

2020

Faculty and staff read and discussed So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

2020

Board implemented annual DEI training/education

2021

Faculty and staff professional development centered around equity for entire school year

2021

McGillis parents attended “How to Raise an Anti-racist Child” workshop

2021

Middle School students participated in NWAIS Student Diversity Leadership Retreat

2022

Board DEIB Committee created Anti-racist Statement, complete with action items

2022

Launched two affinity groups: one for parents/guardians of BIPOC children and parents/guardians of white ally students; one for families with LGBTQ+ children

McGillis DEIB FAQ's

Community Conversations: Dive into DEIB

When we talk about belonging versus fitting in, let’s remember:

  • Inclusive spaces means creating a space where more people have the opportunity to feel like they belong.
  • Fitting in takes a lot of energy from the individual. Belonging may take special effort from the community, but it requires a lot less energy from the individual.
  • The people who create the norms of a group/environment have the responsibility to consider who feels they belong & who is simply fitting in.
Read More about Community Conversations: Dive into DEIB
Tikkun Olam One Story at a Time: Author Kelly Yang

The McGillis School's Tikkun Olam One Story at a Time Author Series focuses on the work and stories of authors of diverse backgrounds and experiences. During the 2021/2022 school year, students will meet Kelly Yang, Kekla Magoon and Saadia Faruqi, as their share their books and personal journeys as authors of color.

Read More about Tikkun Olam One Story at a Time: Author Kelly Yang