Time for Community
CHANGE celebrates Ally Week 2021!
In December, CHANGE (the Middle School’s GSA) hosted this year’s Ally Week. The week-long charity event aims to raise money for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, an organization that supports New Yorkers with HIV/AIDS by providing testing, legal advocacy and counseling. This year, CHANGE raised $572.72 through the sale of rainbow bracelets, Griffin masks and hot chocolate to students, faculty and other Grace community members. Ally Week culminated in Rainbow Tag Day, where students of all identities could wear their rainbow bracelets in solidarity with LGBTQ+ rights.
Grace Goes Green(er):
Sustainability is central to our mission. This year Grace added new ways for students, families, faculty and staff alike to learn about sustainability.
This year, we rejoined New York City’s composting program. This partnership was incorporated into the Early Childhood and Lower School divisions, creating a learning opportunity for our youngest students. During Lower School and Early Childhood assemblies in the fall, Dean of Faculty Kim Chaloner introduced students to the basics of composting. The presentation covered topics like the impact of food waste and tips on how we can turn organic waste into a valuable resource.
At the High School, we welcomed the Columbia Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory to the Lab Day program. Guests taught a special elective course about the Hudson River’s ecosystem.
Amongst our parent, faculty and student Green Teams, there have been ongoing discussions about ways to make Grace even greener. As part of their work, they hope to host events this spring.
Food & Justice:
On November 4, the Office of Community Engagement hosted their fall diversity event: Food & Justice.
Exploring the intersection of the food industry and social justice, the evening provided a venue for community members to learn about sustainable practices they could adopt in their own lives, how communities of color are impacted by different elements of food production and how the culinary industry is changing in the face of the climate crisis.
The program featured presentations by faculty and staff and was headlined by a panel discussion featuring Grace parents Barbara Sibley and King Phojanakong, and alumni parent Jason Silbeck.
National Coming Out Day
On October 15, High School students and faculty members gathered to celebrate the 33rd Annual National Coming Out Day. The national observance not only commemorates the historic 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, but also honors the coming out journey of every LGBTQ+ individual, whether they choose to share their identities or not.
With Spectrum, the High School LGBTQ+ affinity group, at the helm, attendees were briefed on two of the group’s biggest goals: To be an inclusive and welcoming space for Grace’s LGBTQ+ students and allies and to further Grace’s commitment to value and cherish each student’s individuality.
Ongoing OCE Discussion Spaces
The OCE regularly hosts discussion spaces for students, faculty and families and this fall saw the return of in-person programming! One of this year’s offerings is the Diversity Book Club (open to adult members of the Grace community), which meets every two months to discuss contemporary and noteworthy novels and collections of poetry. This year’s titles include “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner and the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Postcolonial Love Poem” by Natalie Diaz. Dean of Community Life Kim Chaloner has also been leading parent workshops on sustainability and antiracism and hosting discussion groups for faculty and staff members. Additionally, the Diversity Council, a group open to all members of the community, meets quarterly to discuss important issues related to building an inclusive community at Grace.
Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids:
Throughout the year, the Office of Community Engagement has provided a workshop series for parents entitled “Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids.” Organized by division, events have provided a forum for families to discuss topics affecting students in independent school communities, and learn from some of the top experts in fields related to student health and well-being.