Next week our High School students will be celebrating Inclusive Schools WeekTM (ISW) and participating in activities designed to raise awareness about the importance of accepting people for who they are and celebrating the wonderful differences that make each of us unique. ISW also provides an opportunity for each of us to reflect on our status as a fully inclusive school. Serving the academic, social, emotional, and development needs of our entire student population makes ISKL different from many other schools. It is a difference that enriches all our lives beyond measure, makes us a stronger school, and creates a community where we all belong.
We believe that schools have a moral responsibility to cultivate communities such as ours that support individuals and nurture and value their identities and differences. Our focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) is an essential component of our inclusion learning journey and we are committed to creating a safe and courageous school culture through reflection and learning about the value of DEIJ, challenging biases, and taking action against discrimination. This year, ISKL has been intentional in addressing DEIJ through data collection to understand the insights and perspectives of our community. We have been focusing on DEIJ school-wide – in our curriculum, teaching and learning, systems, and culture. Our students have been and will continue to be engaged in this process as well. This is a learning journey for us all and we will keep on reflecting, discussing, and moving forwards together.
Touching base as a community is particularly important, especially when SOPs still prevent parents from being on campus and I welcome the opportunity to connect with parents on Tuesday (April 13) at our monthly “Optional Conversation with HoS”. This is an informal session (Zoom details below) to chat and share ideas. All parents are welcome to join me.
Next week also heralds the start of Ramadan, and I wish all our families observing this important occasion, Selamat Berpuasa.
In partnership,
Rami Madani
Head of School
