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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At AISG, our diversity strengthens us and provides a strong knowledge base from which we can learn from each other. It is our collective goal and responsibility to tackle injustice in all its forms. We strive to be the community our mission demands: welcoming, inclusive, and accounting for all visible and non-visible identities including but not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, language, religion or other beliefs, gender expression, sexual orientation, cognitive and physical differences, and age.
Inclusion is about removing barriers to learning and considering these barriers from multiple perspectives: “barriers to learning may be found in the way schools are organized and resources, their cultures, and policies, the approaches to teaching and learning, the physical aspects or buildings and the ways in which individuals within the school community interact on a daily basis.”Learning Diversity in Inclusion IB Programmes, 2016
We work to be an inclusive culture that supports each individual by actively empowering our diverse community through an asset-based mindset that focuses on identifying opportunities and positive outcomes. By creating an inclusive culture, we aim to ensure that all have a sense of belonging, are engaged in their learning and growth, and are valued, self-actualized members of our community. We believe that those who feel valued and engaged will confidently advocate for themselves and others, make a difference, and contribute to shaping their communities.
DEI is not a thing we do but the foundation of who we are. All our policies are explicitly linked and built from our aims and beliefs of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Here are some examples of policies that highlight our commitment to DEI:
Our strategic DEI initiatives
SHARED VISION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
- Outline and review impacts of DEI and Inclusion Policy on admissions, student enrollment, hiring/staffing, communications, budgeting, and professional development.
- Ensure policies are reviewed in each of these areas to see which policies need to be amended or modified to represent our diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning community.
- Explore opportunities to develop middle leaders to lead the DEI initiative within school phases.
DEVELOPMENT OF DEI AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING
We Aim To...
- Bring different identities together to build intercultural understanding.
- Continue to question and challenge our own biases and privileges, and use our experiences to empower our community.
- Foster relationships amongst all stakeholders which promote open, honest reflection and dialogue.
- Develop a healthy and positive school culture by providing the conditions necessary for every member of our community to feel seen, heard, treated equitably, and safe.
- Promote antiracism and gender equity; support our LGBTQIA+ community; celebrate multilingual and multiethnic learners; identify and eliminate discrimination and systematic oppression; and deepen our organizational learning around diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
- Provide equitable access for those with cognitive and physical differences.
- Create an environment that is inclusive and dynamic to meet the needs of our community.
How we hold ourselves accountable
Caregiver Responsibilities
- Bring concerns to the school in a timely manner and follow appropriate communication channels outlined in the School Handbook.
- Work collaboratively with the school to create a strong caregiver-school partnership to support our students.
- Support student development by reinforcing the Inclusion Policy.
- Advocate for self and others.
- Understand that learning is a process, and that success may look different for different people.
- Respect and address individuals with their preferred pronouns and names.
- Respect the rights and privacy of our community members.
Faculty Responsibilities
- Provide multiple ways for learners to demonstrate their learning.
- Create and offer choice.
- Teach the value of agency and support the development of individual advocacy.
- Develop, promote, and advocate for diversity, inclusion, and antiracism in curricular development, lessons, and learning experiences.
- Create a classroom environment that reflects the learners and our learning community.
- Advocate for self and others. Understand that learning is a process, and that success may look different for different people.
- Respect and address individuals with their preferred pronouns and names.
- Ensure the rights and privacy of our community members.
Administration Responsibilities
- Provide training for faculty and staff so that they can best support our community.
- Equitably and consistently enforce policies and procedures.
- Aim to hire diverse faculty and staff.
- Consistently use pathways and systems for faculty to access pertinent information about the needs of the students.
- Use inclusive terminology in communications.
- Advocate for self and others.
- Understand that learning is a process, and that success may look different for different people.
- Respect and address individuals with their preferred pronouns and names.
- Ensure the rights and privacy of our community members.
Student Responsibilities
- Advocate for self and others.
- Be open to learning about different cultures and identities.
- Use inclusive language.
- Understand that learning is a process, and that success may look different for different people.
- Respect and address individuals with their preferred pronouns and names.
- Ensure the rights and privacy of our community members.