Schools
New Canaan Country School Sends Cohort to Diversity Conferences
Students, faculty and staff traveled to Nashville to learn how schools can be more inclusive communities
Six New Canaan Country School ninth graders traveled to Nashville, TN for the annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) Nov. 28 through Dec. 1. This year marks the 25th anniversary of this multi-racial, multicultural student gathering which focuses on self-reflection and building community.
The event was attended by a total of 1,600 ninth through twelfth graders who traveled from all over the country to attend the conference, titled “Listening for the Grace Note: Finding Harmony Amid Cacophony,” as a nod to the country music capital and host city. Students heard from Lisa Ling, a well-known CNN producer and Christian Picciolini, an anti-racism activist. They also worked with trained facilitators to learn cross-cultural communication skills, and spent time in affinity groups brainstorming ways to improve their school communities.
“SDLC helped our students develop and lift their own voices,” said Upper School Latin teacher Hannah Liu, a trip chaperone. “It was a powerful experience for them to meet other students who had similar backgrounds and experiences.”
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“I came away learning when to share my story, when to listen and when to speak up for others,” said ninth grader Ellie Walker of Darien.
In addition to the students, 10 members of the faculty and staff attended the People of Color conference which ran alongside SDLC. The adults participated in leadership and professional development activities and networking sessions for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.
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Both groups will share reflections of their experiences with the Country School community and discuss how to bring about a more inclusive community.
“We want to bring back the engaging activities we learned at SDLC to our school,” said Sydney Osinloye of Norwalk.
Ninth grade participants included Cody Comyns of New Canaan, Anthony Crossman of Stamford, Mason Pratt of Trumbull, Sydney Osinloye, Ella Schoonmaker of Darien and Ellie Walker.
Faculty and staff participants included: Upper School math teacher Jordan Alper, second grade teacher Emily Anglund, fifth grade teacher Andrew Bevan, Advancement Assistant Renee Bornstein, Athletic Co-Director Stefan Borowski, School Psychologist Nora Goddard, sixth grade teacher Brooke Kelly, Upper School Latin teacher Hannah Liu, Kindergarten teacher Jessica McKinney and Spanish teacher Glenn Rodriguez.
New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent, day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9. Located on a 75-acre campus in New Canaan, the school provides transportation to families living throughout the region. For more information, please visit the school’s website: www.countryschool.net.
