Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Rawson Saunders

Rawson Saunders School values the beautiful diversity of our community and of our world, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical ability, family composition, religion, or national origin. In addition, Rawson Saunders seeks to provide a superior education to students of all socio-economic backgrounds. Rawson Saunders is strongly committed to a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and belonging environment which honors the uniqueness of each individual's background, values, and point of view.

Meaningful action...

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is integral to our school's mission, practices, curriculum, culture, and vision for the future. In Fall 2020, Rawson Saunders formally established an impactful, engaging, continuous, and sustainable DEIB professional development program for all faculty and staff.

A parent/guardian group—the Rawson Saunders Family Alliance for a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Belonging Community—is for families who are interested in learning about and participating in DEIB efforts at home and at the school. The RS Family Alliance is an invaluable partner in fostering a whole-school culture of inclusivity.

Learn more about our faculty/staff and family learning spaces below.

Joining the conversation...

DEIB Learning Spaces

We anticipate our learning space groups to develop and expand over time to address additional essential issues and to meet the growing needs of our community.

For Faculty and Staff

Professional Development for DEIB in the Classroom and Beyond
White Anti-Racist Group for Faculty/Staff

Professional Development for DEIB in the Classroom and Beyond

DEIB professional development for faculty/staff is consistent and continual and includes workshops, facilitated discussions, readings and viewings, department strategizing, opportunities for personal growth, establishing best practices, and achieving actionable goals for expanding awareness and addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion both in the academic curriculum and also social/emotionally for all students. By developing a deeper understanding of the role of representation in the curriculum, content, and materials used, teachers are actively building more equitable and inclusive environments in their individual classrooms and within the larger school culture.

White Anti-Racist Group for Faculty/Staff

This is an ongoing learning space for white faculty/staff to explore and examine their white identity, the central role of whiteness in systemic racism, concepts of implicit bias, "white fragility," and "white guilt," and to develop anti-racist practices both at Rawson Saunders and in one's personal life. It is an environment for "unpacking" these difficult issues and to actively work through feelings of discomfort. The group is separate from the school's professional development program and any involvement, while encouraged by the school, is by personal choice. The goals of the group are to:

Better understand white biases, white complicity in structural racism, and white cultural dominance in our institutions
Establish a white anti-racist faculty/staff community network
Find meaningful ways to be active collaborators in racial justice
Share resources and tools for people interested in anti-racist and social justice work

For Families

RS Family Alliance for a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Belonging Community
White Anti-Racist Group for Parents/Guardians

RS Family Alliance for a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Belonging Community

The Rawson Saunders Family Alliance for a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Belonging Community was initiated by a group of parent leaders with the goal of partnering with the school and fellow families to build awareness of DEIB issues and to entrust that the whole school environment is safe and welcoming for all. The mission of the RS Family Alliance is rooted in the understanding that the most influential change starts at home. By offering supportive opportunities for families to engage in these crucial but sometimes challenging issues, the RS Family Alliance aims to encourage families to initiate important conversations with their children and foster efforts to establish a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.

White Anti-Racist Group for Parents/Guardians

This is an ongoing learning space for white parents/guardians to explore and examine their white identity, the central role of whiteness in systemic racism, concepts of implicit bias, "white fragility," and "white guilt," and to develop anti-racist practices in one's family and personal life. It is an environment for "unpacking" these difficult issues and to actively work through feelings of discomfort. The group is entirely run by parent/guardians and while supported by the school, it is not school sponsored. The goals of the group are to:

Better understand white biases, white complicity in structural racism, and white cultural dominance in our institutions
Establish a white anti-racist family community network
Find meaningful ways to be active collaborators in racial justice
Share resources and tools for others interested in anti-racist and social justice work