Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) at ISKL provides an opportunity for our community to reflect on our status as a fully inclusive school by serving our entire student population’s academic, social, emotional, and development needs.
From April 12 – 16, 2021, High School students celebrated ISW by taking part in discussions and activities that develop a greater awareness and acceptance of different genders, cultures, races, and abilities. Here is what the students did for each day of Inclusive Schools Week:
On Monday, students visited the library, where many novels were on display to promote the principles of inclusion, such as the rights of women and girls, ability and disability, gender identity, second and third culture teens, African-American perspectives, and issues of ethnic conflict and cooperation. Library intern and student Sebastian L. (’21), also interviewed Life-Centered Education faculty member Vanessa Weber about what inclusivity means for the library and her recommended reading list of inclusive-themed books.
On Tuesday, students watched films from the Inclusive Film Festival, including a special video on Down Syndrome by student Aisha J. (’22), and learned about respecting differences of opinion, listening respectfully without interrupting, avoiding assumptions or generalizations, and giving everyone a chance to speak.
On Wednesday, students took part in a webinar session with Professor Simran Singh titled “Representation Matters: Moving Beyond Tokenism and into Inclusion.” Professor Simran Singh has been recognized among TIME Magazine’s 16 people fighting for a more equal America and called in from New York City to speak to ISKL students on diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and anti-racism. He shared his story of growing up as a “turban-wearing, brown-skinned, beard-loving Sikh” in South Texas and the effects of representation on one’s upbringing.
For Thursday, students took part in ‘Random Acts of Kindness’, such as writing a note, an email, or on the canteen tagboard to share words of gratitude to fellow students.
And by the end of the week on Friday, the Tri-M Music Honor Society performed at the canteen during lunch! Students also showed their support and appreciation for those with Down Syndrome in the event ‘Rock your Socks’ by wearing colorful and mismatched socks to school.
With such an international community present here in ISKL, it was truly an amazing opportunity for High School students to celebrate ISKL’s diversity while discussing how one can increase equity and inclusion throughout the community as well as recognizing people of different abilities.
