“But still we must be humble and root out the prejudices lurking in our heart. We must not suppress those traits which can help us in our teaching. We must check those inner attitudes and characteristics of adults that can hinder our understanding of the child.”
GRS Statement on Equity
GRS will urgently seek equity by translating emergent needs into ongoing action.
Equity in our learning community at GRS means that all members with marginalized identities will have access to the resources and support they need to thrive, per their own definition of thriving. In order to thrive in community, all students, staff, and families must feel safe and supported, an essential element of an equitable learning environment.
GRS acknowledges that systems of oppression both benefit students with privileged identities and harm students with marginalized identities. These marginalized identities include racial identity; religious identity; ethnic identity; nationality; physical, emotional, developmental, and/or intellectual ability; neurodiversity; sex and/or gender identity; sexual and/or relational orientation; familial status; socio-economic status; immigration status; emergent language status; personal and/or intergenerational trauma history; and educational needs.
Equity action at GRS enhances our Montessori learning environment.
EQUITY PRIORITIES
GRS prioritizes accountability from an equity lens.
GRS centers the experiences of community members with marginalized identities that are not centered under White supremacy culture. White supremacy culture is an often invisible set of norms, values, tendencies, expectations, emphases, focuses of attention, practices, processes, and products that perpetuate the idea that whiteness is superior.
GRS works to dismantle White supremacy culture in its many expressions, work which is the responsibility of members of the dominant culture.
The entire GRS community rigorously examines our present systems for areas of inequity.
Staff Spotlights
Do you have a Staff or Faculty member in mind to spotlight? Submit a recommendation to communications via the Communication form to highlight someone who is new, returning, or just doing a really great job! Submit today!
Student Spotlight
If you want to highlight a current GRS student, a group of students and their achievements at Great River School, or an alumni, click HERE to fill out the form.
GRS Affinity Group
Affinity groups are spaces created for people to connect based on shared identities, ideologies, or interests. The creation of these spaces are important in cultivating community and belonging. Today, there are several such affinity groups that provide safe spaces for our students.
Upper Adol. BIPOC
Lower Adol. BIPOC
Elementary BIPOC
GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance)
BIPOC GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance)
SAM (Students Against Misogyny)
Celebrate WEI all September 2024
Month-long observances:
Hispanic Heritage Month
National Guide Dog Month
Suicide Prevention Month
Important September DE&I calendar dates:
Sept. 2
Labor Day
Sept. 5
Int’l Day of Charity
Sept. 10
World Suicide Prevention Day
Sept. 10
Grandparents’ Day
Sept. 11
Patriot Day (U.S.A.)
Sept. 15
Int’l Day of Democracy
Sept. 16
Mexican Independence Day
Sept. 18
International Equal Pay Day
Sept. 21
International Day of Peace
Sept. 21
World Gratitude Day
Sept. 22
American Business Women’s Day
Sept. 26
HR Appreciation Day
Sept. 27
Nat’l Native American Day
Sept. 30
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Canada)
We are on Native land [Miní Sóta Makhóčhe], land from which Dakota [Dakhóta Oyáte] people were forcibly removed. This land carries the stories of the Dakota people, of their struggles for survival and identity, and of their resilience and wisdom.~ Colleen Bell
Links
Race Equity Glossary
https://www.mneep.org/word/
American Montessori Society | DEI in Montessori: Quality of Program implementation (Part 1)
American Montessori Society | DEI in Montessori (Part 2)
Anti-bias, Anti-racist (ABAR) Certificate Program | https://learn.amshq.org/abar-certificate
What to know about the Term BIPOC | https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-to-know-about-the-term-bipoc
Mental Health Minnesota | BIPOC Mental Health month
BIPOC Therapist information | https://www.counselingpsychology.org/availability-bipoc-therapists/