Welcome to a Winter Term recap highlighting how students and faculty are working together to create an inclusive, equitable school experience in the Episcopal tradition of Beloved Community. As we promote social justice and equal opportunities for all, we celebrate the rich diversity of our community and the respect and compassion we derive from our differences. Together, we seek to bring forward what is best in each other. We do so in the spirit of our School Prayer, which asks, "that in all the joys of life we may never forget to be kind. Help us to be unselfish in friendship, thoughtful of those less happy than ourselves, and eager to bear the burdens of others.”
Work from within
As co-chairs of the School’s Faculty Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Council, Pankti Dalal and Tarah Greenidge collaborate with colleagues across the grounds to enhance practices, policies and procedures that will foster equity and inclusivity for adults and students in the community. Learn how the Council formed, their vision for their work, and the inspiration drawn from their peer and friend, the late Omar Brown.
The ABCs of inclusion — defined by psychologist and educator Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum as affirming identity, building community, and cultivating leadership — provide a meaningful framework for SPS students and adults in their efforts to bring forward what is best in themselves, and each other.
Affirming Identity
Black History Month
“The Black History Celebration displayed some of the most amazing talent on campus from our Black faculty and students. I loved the sense of joy and community that was gifted to the audience. Oftentimes, we learn about the suffering of the Black Diaspora and not the joy and liminality of the Black existence. The event made it clear that there is a diversity within the Black existence that has yet to be explored, both in the world and at SPS.” — Student Council Vice President Mikai Spencer ’22
Students were busy during Winter Term as they honored different cultures; addressed challenging topics; celebrated holidays; and joined together for discussion, food and fun.
“During the Winter Term, the SPS LGBTQIA+ Affinity members had the wonderful opportunity to attend a meeting for LGBTQIA+ students from various schools. The evening was spent at Holderness, getting to know students from other schools, sharing stories, and building new friendships. That evening, there was a palpable sense of community and belonging as kids who had never met before laughed and talked together. We shared our stories as queer students at boarding schools and bonded over other shared experiences. There is something incredibly beautiful about being in a room with people who you know will accept you for who you are. The knowledge that you can be your true self without judgment. I’m so thankful to have had the experience of meeting kids who I would have otherwise never met and hearing their stories. As well as the ability to truly let go and be me without hesitation in a group of people who I know will understand me.” — SPS Student Attendee
Bringing in outside voices
The School invited two guests to engage with the community during Black History Month.
The Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune, chief operating officer for the National Council of Churches, preached during Sunday morning chapel on Feb. 20 and delivered a Chapel talk on Feb. 21 before spending the day visiting classes. In her Chapel talk, Rev. Copeland-Tune provided an invitation to faculty and students to grapple with the meaning of justice and consider what it will take for our society to move forward from the pandemic, rather than returning to past behaviors. She called on the community to mirror God’s love for us in our interactions with others.
On Feb. 28, artist, activist and documentary filmmaker Robert Shetterly spent the day on the grounds, where he gave a Chapel talk, visited classes and concluded his visit with a screening of his documentary, “Truth Tellers,” followed by a student-moderated Q&A. Shetterly has painted 255 portraits of Americans who had the moral courage to confront issues of social, environmental and economic justice and his works have been exhibited throughout the U.S.
Before his 18th birthday, Kavuru had launched two companies, both with the greater good in mind. One endeavor, Altrui Foundation — which he co-founded with his sister, Shreya Kavuru ’21 — redistributes medications that would otherwise be discarded by pharmaceutical companies to people in need. A co-leader of the School’s Indian and Hindu Society and Missionary Society, Kavuru finds time to make a positive impact closer to School, too.
