The Middle School recently hosted its annual Diversity Day, facilitated by the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). The program sets aside scheduled classes for the day to engage students in presentations, workshops, and other activities that allow them to explore different cultures, encourage dialogue across differences, and have fun along the way. The goal is to “build community and embrace our diversity,” said Ms. Simone Henry Agblonon, Assistant Director of DEIB (LS/MS).
The day began with guest speaker Dr. Mykee Fowlin, who blended humor, performance art, storytelling, and psychology to share personal stories about identity. Next, students separated into their assigned workshops on topics such as embracing your authentic self led by Dr. Fowlin, baking hamantashen cookies as part of the Jewish holiday of Purim, making rainbow bracelets to celebrate LGBTQIA+ identities, sampling cross-cultural rice preparations, basket weaving, yoga, and sports. There was also an Advisory scavenger hunt, a global dance party, and end-of-day snacks provided by Chef Alex and team, representing different regions of the world. Matilda W. ’32, who especially enjoyed the yoga workshop, said the biggest thing she took away from Diversity Day was “hearing about all the different things that people experience, such as bullying” because of their identity. Sadie L. ’32 said that through this program, she learned that “even if you’re different, you still belong.” Our thoughts exactly!
