Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion

A commitment to a diverse and inclusive community that recognizes, values, and celebrates the unique identity of every student.

DEI AT GAYNOR

Valuing Every Identity, Empowering Every Student.

Stephen Gaynor School believes that the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our mission and the success and well-being of every student. The values of diversity, equity, and inclusion are integrated throughout all aspects of our program to ensure every student feels a sense of belonging and demonstrates respect for the world around them. We recognize, value, and celebrate many types of diversity including neurodiversity, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, sexual orientation, family composition, language, and gender identity and expression.

A Culture of Belonging.

We believe that a diverse and inclusive community benefits every student. Our faculty and staff understand that a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is an ongoing process of learning from new perspectives and experiences, while unlearning previously held beliefs and assumptions.

As a school, we are committed to the following:
  • Engaging in robust professional development opportunities to support adult learning and growth
  • Promoting affinity spaces for students, employees and families to gather in community and foster belonging
  • Regularly seeking opportunities to develop key relational skills such as active listening, perspective-taking, vulnerability and empathy to build an inclusive community.
  • Performing ongoing curriculum review and development to ensure that our curriculum is culturally responsive and reflective of our community.
  • Partnering with parents and caregivers to create authentic cultural, religious and other celebrations and experiences for students and families.
Led by Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Stella Heyliger-Mulatu, this work advances Gaynor’s mission to ensure that every student experiences belonging, respect, and the opportunity to thrive.

LIVING OUR MISSION

How We Actively Build
an Inclusive Community.

Curriculum: Inclusive By Design

Gaynor educators recognize the crucial importance of creating an inclusive and culturally responsive curriculum. Curriculum development is an ongoing process as we strive to reflect the diversity of our community and provide students with opportunities to learn about the world beyond our campus.

Our DEI curriculum spans all age groups (Purple - Blue) and is designed to develop the critical thinking and social emotional skills necessary to engage with our diverse and increasingly interconnected world.

The curriculum is built upon the following pillars:

Affinity Groups for Students, Parents, and Employees

We believe that providing time and space for students to gather in affinity groups strengthens our community as a whole by offering students who hold historically marginalized identities the opportunity to share experiences, learn from and about one another, and celebrate what makes them unique. Affinity groups are empowering spaces that develop students’ healthy self-image and sense of belonging.

Intermediate Division

  • Students of Color
  • Jewish
  • LGBTQIA+

Upper Division

  • Students of Color
  • Jewish
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Neurodivergent
  • Banana Splits

Parent Affinity Groups

  • Parents & Caregivers of Color
  • Jewish
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Families Formed Through Adoption

Employee Affinity Groups

  • BIPOC
  • Jewish
  • LGBTQIA+

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Stephen Gaynor School honors the Indigenous People of the Lenape Tribe who lived on these lands before us. We recognize the forced displacement of the Indigenous People of Manhattan during colonization.

This acknowledgment is meant to:
  • Recognize our school building stands on the very land once inhabited by the Lenape people
  • Show respect and appreciation for the Lenape people
  • Reflect on the past events that have impacted all Indigenous Peoples
  • Honor their place in and continued contribution to the shared story of America
  • Celebrate the commitment and accomplishments of the Indigenous People toward sustainability and thoughtful protection of our planet
The above statement was crafted by the students and faculty in Stephen Gaynor School’s Blue Cluster.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Our Community is Special.

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