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Dear WSNO Community,
The social movement for change surrounding police brutality in the death of George Floyd and far too many other innocent victims has been at the forefront of our nation. This moment in history is long overdue, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
One of the most important things we have to cleave to right now is each other. Community is something WSNO works hard to cultivate, and it all starts with a search for a more holistic way of educating our children. That is just the beginning. We also hold in common a wish that this education we’re investing in makes the world better. Our faculty and staff work daily to put these ideals into practice in the classroom, but it’s your child who takes what they learn and carries that out into the world.
We take our responsibility of educating your child to heart. That is why we remain committed to having difficult conversations about transformation, inclusion, and equity. We are spending more time than ever asking ourselves:
How do I participate, consciously or unconsciously, in systemic racism?
What meaningful actions will I take in service to the leadership and agency of people of color?
Where are the possibilities for me to prioritize racial justice in my work to further Waldorf education?
Aside from the work we’re doing here within our own school, Association of Waldorf Schools of North America’s (AWSNA) - the accreditation body for Waldorf schools - has adopted a Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. AWSNA and all member schools, including WSNO, have committed to strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion. Advancing these principles is one of the guiding forces behind AWSNA’s strategic priorities.
Waldorf Education is all about nurturing the change we want to see in the world. Many of you have already begun to foster change by taking up the work of social justice within our community. We invite you to join us in elevating our school's commitment to making the future better and brighter. You can start by exploring the links below that are meant to open the door to more conversation. Let’s do this together.
In Partnership,
Joseph E. Peychaud Head of School
LEARN MORE:
Find out what proactive steps we are taking within our school to address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
RESOURCES
Talking to Kids About Racism and Justice: a list for parents, caregivers & educators
This CNN guide breaks down how to present information to different ages in a developmentally appropriate way, acknowledging differences in how families from diverse racial backgrounds will need to speak to children accordingly.
Practical parent-centered advice from a father about how to help children move through difficult emotions that are brought up by the protests.
Check here if your young children are confused or scared about the protests taking place because they equate them with anger and loud noises.
This resource is for parents who are ready to take a deeper look at their family culture.
A podcast episode from Third Space that goes a little deeper, focusing on parents who want to learn how to talk about race.
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