A Message from Kojo Clarke, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Reflection and self-awareness continue to be at the heart of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) efforts. Employee professional development, a schoolwide self-assessment, our parent task force work and national conferences have provided the opportunity to recognize and overcome personal and institutional blindspots.

Jerry Craft, author of the award-winning graphic novel, New Kid, and father of NCCS alumni, Jay ’13 and Aren ’15, was recently invited to join faculty and staff during a professional development workshop where he shared reflections of his family's time at NCCS and made suggestions for improvement. Also, a cross-section of constituents from our school community participated in a series of seven conversations looking at various facets of our operations through the lens of inclusivity and multiculturalism as part of our Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) initiative. And finally, this week a cohort of six educators and six Upper School students will represent the school at the annual People of Color Conference (PoCC) and The Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC). Organized by the National Association of Independent Schools, PoCC is a space to support educators of color and white allies in independent schools, while SDLC fosters belonging by focusing on self-reflection, forming allies, and building community among students.

From Head of Early Childhood: Transforming 'Doubt' into 'Do'

by Beth O'Brien

"People are opting out of vital conversations about diversity and inclusivity because they fear looking wrong, saying something wrong, or being wrong. Choosing our own comfort over hard conversations is the epitome of privilege, and it corrodes trust and moves us away from meaningful and lasting change." ~ Brene Brown, Dare to Lead

Last May, I took a photo of this image. It spoke so powerfully to me about my current mindset in regard to diversity and inclusion conversations. For so long, doubt plagued me. Doubt about my ability. Doubt about saying the wrong thing. Doubt about thinking in my role that I needed to know how to do it all perfectly. Basically, I felt everything author Brene Brown so honestly and poignantly captures in the quote above. So I wrote DOUBT and crossed out the ‘UBT’ and I began the work. Read more.

Upper School Student Finds Pollyanna Conference "Life-Changing"

by Penelope Arredondo, Ninth Grade Student

At Country School, where each student is taught to be a risk taker and treat others the way they want to be treated, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (DEI) is at the center of the community. Country School has always felt like a family to me, and as I have become older, I have started to ask myself why this is the case. The answer is inclusion. Read more.

Parents' Association President-Elect Reflects on Personal Growth

by Jen Kline, P'25, P'27

I’m not going to lie. When Kojo Clarke, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, asked me to submit a reflection for the DEI newsletter, I was apprehensive. I questioned not only his choice of me as messenger, but whether I had the inner strength to write about something so personal. Because let’s be honest, to truly do this type of work, you have to be brave. You have to allow yourself to be completely vulnerable. You have to be able to admit what you don’t know. This can be scary, intimidating and uncomfortable. But as I’ve learned through my involvement in the Parent DEI Task Force, it doesn’t have to be. Before I tell you more about the task force and my experience with it, let me first tell you why I decided to join. Read more.

Alumnus Reminisces About Country School Experience

by Jay Craft '13

To this day, it feels as though I have spent the majority of my life at Country School. I may have moved on through high school, college, and now into the workforce, but I have never remained anywhere for as long as at NCCS. I have such fond memories of the wonderful faculty and staff; events like Deal Days and the Frogtown Fair; field trips to Nantucket and Yellowstone, and best of all, half-day Wednesdays!

During my time at NCCS, I was fortunate enough to have several faculty and staff work closely with me to further my goals and aspirations. Not only did these teachers express interest in my growth and development, but they consciously contributed to my success and encouraged me to pursue opportunities I once thought to be out of reach. Had I not attended NCCS, I am certain I would not have the determination and work ethic that I pride myself on today. Read more.