Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)

Belonging Begins Here

If a child does not feel affirmed, valued, and safe, what is the impact on their ability to thrive at school? This question is at the base of our Community and Belonging work. At West End Day School, we believe that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are fundamental to creating an environment where every student can thrive. We are committed to fostering a community where each individual is recognized, celebrated, and affirmed for who they are. We believe there is a difference between feeling included and truly feeling like you belong. To belong is to feel valued, heard, and seen–a principle that lies at the heart of everything we do.

Our unwavering goal is to continue to foster and sustain a sense of BELONGING for every child and family at WEDS.

Belonging has become a central focus of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEIB) efforts. We are dedicated to ensuring that every student and family feels a true sense of belonging at WEDS and sees themselves reflected in their learning environment. Our commitment drives us to continuously evaluate and evolve our curriculum and programming, always with the goal of making sure every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

Community and Belonging at WEDS

Inside the Classroom

A weekly, dedicated social justice class
Regular discussions connected to the media and current events
Weekly affinity and educational groups (Community and Belonging Group, Ally Group, Identity Group, Women’s Group, etc.)
Visual representations and affirmations of people around the school and in the curriculum/library to ensure all students can “see oneself” reflected in our teachings
Ongoing auditing of curriculum to ensure all groups are represented and history is being accurately portrayed
Fostering and supporting discussions and questions generated by students

In Our Greater Community

Community and Belonging Committee made up of staff and board members meeting monthly
Regular professional development and trainings for staff
All-school celebrations and assemblies that highlight cultural and familial traditions from WEDS families and around the world
Ongoing support for staff to feel confident in addressing questions and concerns that come up in each classroom
A dedicated Community and Belonging Leader to oversee programming and implementation of current and new curriculum, run weekly and topical groups, and engage with WEDS community

Code of Conduct

At West End Day School we believe that:

All students, regardless of who they are, deserve a welcoming and challenging learning environment that supports them and their unique learning styles.
It’s important to celebrate the differences that shape our community members’ individual and collective identities so we may continue to grow and learn together.
All children deserve a flexible atmosphere where positive behaviors and engagement with our community are celebrated.
Our learning environment should represent all of our students and incorporate topics of race, socio-economic status, family composition, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical differences, disability, national and ethnic origin, and similarly recognized categories.
It’s important to elevate students’ voices and promote conversations that are inclusive and respectful of others.
Discrimination of any form based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, and/or socio-economic status will not be tolerated.
Respect is a cornerstone of our community.

See What We're Doing

Showing Our Unequivocal Support for Transgender People

On Tuesday, April 1, we honored International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). While we may not always know if members of our community identify as transgender or are exploring their gender identity, celebrating TDOV sends a powerful message: Everyone belongs here.

Exploring Purim Traditions

West End Day School once again had the honor and joy of celebrating Purim—a holiday that reminds us of the power of bravery, kindness, and standing up for what’s right.

A Wonder-filled Assembly

Our two oldest classes had the incredible honor of meeting with Dina Zuckerberg and Naomi Levinshtein from the myFace Wonder Project. This powerful program, inspired by the beloved book Wonder by R.J. Palacio, aims to promote acceptance and understanding of people with craniofacial differences.

We Will Always Celebrate Black History

This February, West End Day School proudly celebrated Black History Month with intention, reflection, and community. In a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts face increasing resistance, it’s more important than ever for us to stand by our values and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive, compassionate environment for all.

Welcome, Year of the Snake!

Our students learned all about the Hindu festival of lights—the most important Hindu holiday. We were so lucky to have a WEDS parent visit us to share the history of the celebration, her role in making Diwali a public school holiday in New York City, and her own personal Diwali traditions!

Celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights

WEDS Celebrates Pride

We kicked off the month celebrating during our annual school-wide Pride Celebration run by the student council. Students came together to create a beautiful “Stronger Together” mural, learn the history and importance of Pride and enjoy music, crafts and celebrating on our roof.

Challah Making

The WEDS community came together to make challah with the guidance and recipe of one of our WEDS parents. Students gathered in our gym to mix, knead and braid their very own bread. While the bread was rising, we learned the rich history, tradition and significance of challah.

Empowering Dreams: A Reflection on MLK Day at WEDS

To celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., our students engaged in an array of classroom experiences that showcased the enduring relevance of his teachings, inspiring our children to dream boldly and contribute to a world of equality and justice!

Pollyanna Racial Literacy Curriculum Parent/Guardian Companion Guide

This Parent/Guardian Companion Guide provides an overview of each unit featured in the curriculum and recommends questions and conversation starters to help you and your child discuss race, culture, and identity at home. It also provides suggestions for reading and viewing material to enhance racial literacy.