Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
ESD's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Approved by Episcopal Identity Committee of the Board, January 6, 2022. Approved by the Board of Directors, January 13, 2022.
The Board, in partnership with the school’s executive leadership, has worked to reaffirm our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at The Episcopal School of Dallas.
ESD Manifesto |
This commitment is not new; it is an ongoing effort that was embodied in formal commitments made by the school in 1996, 2005, and 2015. Diversity, equity, and inclusion at ESD are defined as follows: Diversity: Casting as wide a net as possible to attract and retain the best and most spirited people to work, teach, and learn at ESD so as to enrich our community through their variety of talents and perspectives. Equity: Ensuring that all members of our community have the tools and the environment they need to succeed and be the best version of themselves. Inclusion: Ensuring that every person at ESD feels a sense of being an integral part of our community and that they have their place within our broader school culture. |
The goal of the Board in this work is to help the school achieve a fuller expression of its Episcopal Identity as grounded in the gospels and the teachings of Jesus, and to achieve its mission of igniting lives of purpose through the development of an educated conscience. In the baptismal covenant of the Episcopal Church, the faithful are called to “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” The commitments made herein are a further articulation of that call. Our Founding Rector and Headmaster, The Reverend Canon Stephen B. Swann, often proclaimed, “Every child is made in the image of a loving God,” to remind students, faculty, and staff of their roles in embracing and shepherding all in our community.
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The children attending our school now will leave the relative shelter of ESD soon and live their most productive and fulfilling years at mid‐century. In order to be ready for that world they will need an understanding of the joy, strength, and value of diverse perspectives necessary to succeed in an increasingly diverse community. By having our work guided by these commitments, we believe each of our students will be better prepared to successfully live a life of purpose. Therefore, the Board reaffirms our commitment, which includes a continuing effort to fulfill the following objectives:
In order to achieve these objectives, we have asked the school administration to ensure that ESD will continually:
The Board understands that we live in a highly politicized world with many sources of information and misinformation. In some circumstances, this can lead to misconceptions about the school's direction. To address potential misconceptions, we note specifically that our commitment and objectives are:
Since we are a community with a variety of perspectives on these issues, it is imperative that all community members communicate with each other in accordance with the principles of honor, respect, and integrity. Our Code of Conduct states: “We take pride in making a commitment to these higher ideals and hold each other accountable when we fall short.” |
ESD’s Long-Standing Commitment to Diversity
1996 |
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The Board stated that “the commitment of ESD to diversity is long‐standing” and approved the following Statement on Diversity: “The Episcopal School of Dallas believes that diversity in our school community enhances the quality of the education that ESD provides. Diversity fosters development of critical thinking which welcomes alternative points of view and is sensitive to the interests, traditions and concerns of others. The ESD community acknowledges and values the diversity that exists in our ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, the languages we speak, our genders and ages, the traditions we observe, the structures of our families, our financial and educational resources, and the special needs we may have. In our recruitment practices for students and their families, faculty, staff, and those serving on the board, we strive to create a diverse school community whose members embrace the Mission Statement of the Episcopal School of Dallas.” |
2005 |
The Board reiterated the school’s commitment to DEI and approved a series of “long‐range diversity goals” which included:
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2015 |
The Board reiterated its commitment to diversity with the following Statement on Diversity and Inclusion: “The ESD community is committed to creating, maintaining, and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment as it prepares young women and men for lives of intellectual discovery, integrity, and purpose. We believe that diversity in our school community enhances the quality of the education that ESD provides and is essential to the development of well‐rounded people in the twenty‐first century. The Episcopal School of Dallas values diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background.” |
Divisional Programming
In honor of Yom HaShoah, which translates from the Hebrew language as “day of remembrance,” eighth-graders lead a special service to remember the Holocaust. Students volunteer to be a part of the service, reading blackout poems they wrote as part of their study of the event, lighting six candles and placing traditional Jewish rocks on the altar in honor of the six million lives lost. |
Student Diversity Leadership Conference
Several students attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN. Along with other high-school students from across the US, they explored ways to self-reflect, form allies, and build community. |
Jewish friends shared their Hannukah traditions like the menorah with classmates. |
Students across divisions celebrated Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This traditional Mexican holiday celebrates and remembers loved ones who have passed away. Middle School students created an or altar in remembrance of notable Latino figures as part of a lesson on Spanish history. |
In celebration of Sukkot, the Jewish festival of the harvest, the Jewish Student Union built a sukkah outside the dining commons and invited all students inside to celebrate as a community. |
Latinos Unidos students visited the Consulate General of Mexico, where they learned about foreign policy, statistics, and unity. |
Students learned about the Chinese New Year and the year of the pig in their classes. |
Middle School advisories worked together to highlight ways in which ESD can become No Place for Hate.
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Members of the ESD community were invited to the Interfaith Passover Seder, hosted by the Jewish Student Union. The Seder is a feast that includes reading, telling stories, eating special foods, singing, and other Passover traditions. Members of the JSU helped retell the story of the Exodus from slavery to freedom and invited participants to reflect on how we might be advocates of justice for all in our world today. Learn more about the Passover celebration.
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How We Learn From Each Other
Affinity Groups |
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An affinity group is a group of people who share a similar identity. You must be able to speak from the "I" perspective. Ex: I am a member of this group. These affinity groups offer a place for dialogue, reflection, and support within our community. Black Student Union: |
Alliance Groups |
While affinity groups are made up of students who share similar identities, alliance groups are made up of students of all identities working towards a common goal. You can speak from a "we" perspective. Ex: Although I might not experience that personally, we are in supportive of your right to feel that way. Asian Student Union: |
Alumni Involvement |
Our student Affinity and Alliance Groups are a great way for alumni to stay connected with ESD. Alumni are encouraged to participate, visit, and engage with our current students to provide wisdom and experience. Alumni interested in participating in ESD's current Affinity and Alliance Groups should contact Dr. Elizabeth Goatley for more information. |
Campfire Program |
“Sitting around the campfire, being able to see and converse with everyone on equal footing ... inclusivity is what I want for everyone.” - The Reverend Canon Stephen B. Swann, ESD Founding Rector and Headmaster Created to model the sense of community created at ESD's very first class held in 1974, our Campfire Program is designed to guide new and current students and families through both a successful transition into ESD and a fulfilling experience throughout their time here. Although it does not replace the advisory program in which every student participates, the program offers onboarding into the ESD community, social and academic guidance, and Campfire-family specific events. To learn more about the Campfire Program, here. |
Professional Development |
Our faculty and staff are committed to making ESD a safe and inclusive space for all. To this end, all faculty and staff participate in regular diversity focused professional developments led by our Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on topics such as cultural sensitivity, religious diversity, race and the impact of racism, and more. |
Regional and National Student and Educator Conferences |
Students and faculty/staff often travel with Diversity and Inclusion Coordinators to several conferences and events throughout the year, such as The Texas Women's Foundation Annual Luncheon, Student Diversity Conference, SMU Women's Symposium, People of Color Conference, and other local diversity-focused conferences. |
Elizabeth GoatleyDirector of Diversity and Inclusion |
We want all students, faculty, and staff to know that we are one body, one school, regardless of our differences. |