Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Community

Diversity Statement

We affirm that a diverse community of students, faculty, administration, staff, trustees, and alumni is essential to who we are as a school. We respect and value diversity, which includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, family structure, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background, as the basis for fostering a strong sense of self, community, and global understanding.

GSB is mission-driven to be an inclusive, multicultural community that respects individual differences, inspires commitment to one another, and prepares students for the colleges, workplaces, and neighborhoods of their futures.

Recognizing that diversity is essential for creating an environment that is conducive to excellence in education, GSB fosters and supports meaningful diversity throughout our school and community by deepening our students' understanding of differences in race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual identity, ability, age and socioeconomic status.

We believe a school community should reflect a variety of ethnic, racial, economic, religious and social circumstances; all are fundamental to a 21st century education. Among its core values, Gill affirms that a diverse learning community of students, faculty, administration, trustees, alumni and staff is an essential element to who we are as a school.

Beginning with the early childhood program and culminating in the Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School, GSB students respect and value individual differences, seeing them as the basis for fostering a strong sense of self, community, and global understanding.

Tracey Goodson Barrett

Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Student Internship Coordinator; 9th-Grade Seminar

908-234-1611, Ext. 202
tbarrett@gsbschool.org

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Community (DEIC) Action Plan

In response to the continuing racial heartache that is befalling our nation, Gill St. Bernard’s School openly embraces and accepts its responsibility for resetting curriculum, programs, policies, and practices as the basis for long-term, comprehensive, and sustainable change. In collaboration with the broader GSB community, including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, senior administration, and the board of trustees, we are intentionally listening to and learning from all voices, including those who have been marginalized and often unheard. Aligned with the school’s 2019-2024 Strategic Plan, we created the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community (DEIC) Action Plan to serve as a guiding framework for improving and enhancing the racial, ethnic, and multicultural climate in our school and in creating an authentically inclusive anti-racist community.
 

Read the full action plan

 

Black Student Union Podcast

Black Knights Black History Podcast

Guiding Principles

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment and that we move beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

Diversity is a reality created by individuals and groups from a broad spectrum of demographic and philosophical differences.

It is important to support and protect diversity because by valuing individuals and groups free from prejudice, we foster a climate where equity and mutual respect are intrinsic. "Diversity" means more than just acknowledging and/or tolerating difference.

Diversity is a set of conscious practices that involve:

  • Understanding and appreciating interdependence of humanity, cultures, and the natural environment;
  • Practicing mutual respect for qualities and experiences that are different from our own;
  • Understanding that diversity includes not only ways of being but also ways of knowing; and
  • Building alliances across differences so that we can work together to build a more supportive community.

Diversity includes knowing how to relate to those qualities and conditions that are different from our own and outside the groups to which we belong, yet are present in other individuals and groups.

These include but are not limited to age, ethnicity, class, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual identity, as well as religious status, gender expression, educational background, geographical location, income, marital status, parental status, and work experiences.

Finally, we acknowledge that categories of difference are not always fixed but also can be fluid, we respect individual rights to self-identification, and we recognize that no one culture is intrinsically superior to another.

Student & Community Engagement

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Community News

GSB Students

On October 21, 2023, Gill St. Bernard's School hosted 105 students and faculty from 12 independent schools for the fourth annual Middle School Equity and Inclusion Summit. The event, themed "Creating Space for Authentic Voices at the Intersection of Technology, Culture, & Identity," provided students with the tools and resources to be change agents in their school communities, particularly as they navigate the digital age. 

Read More about GSB Hosts Fourth Annual Middle School Equity and Inclusion Summit 
GSA Co-Founder Visits Club

The Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club welcomed a virtual visitor at its last meeting to help plan the upcoming Student Forum about identity and expression. Jack Riccardo-Wood '17, GSA’s co-founder, Zoomed into Thursday’s meeting to offer guidance for the April 15 community-wide event.

Read More about GSA Co-Founder Visits Club
Culture Night Unites GSB

A Bahamian Junkanoo Parade kicked off our Third Annual Culture Night last Thursday, followed by something for everyone – South African Jerusalema dance lessons, Italian cooking tips, Henna art demonstrations, and even a talk about the Greek evil eye. More than 50 families celebrated the many heritages at GSB through virtual presentations of food, music, and discussions highlighting countries and traditions from around the world.

Read More about Culture Night Unites GSB
A Song in My Heart

During a virtual visit with TAHIRA – a talented storyteller, musician, and poet who shared her heartfelt Freedom Stories – our Lower School students shimmied and waved their hands to inspiring spirituals, clearly enjoying this lively celebration of Black History Month.

Read More about A Song in My Heart
Dream Big

The list of Max Siegel's achievements is long and impressive: the first African American to graduate Notre Dame Law School with honors, a nationally renowned sports and entertainment executive, and owner of Revolution Racing, a NASCAR race team.

Read More about Dream Big
Dreams of a Better World

Seventh grade poets shared their vision for a brighter future in Ms. Tuohy's English class recently. Their works – influenced by civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., and writer Langston Hughes – explored themes of hope and change, inspired by a national poetry challenge from kid's book writer Kwame Alexander.

Read More about Dreams of a Better World

GSB Students Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Broader Community Connections

The diversity of our community is matched by our emphasis on multicultural education and our ongoing focus on the lived experience of our community members inside and outside the walls of the school. At GSB, we are aware that we live in a global community and that contributions to our society have come from every corner of the globe and every strata of society.

Middle School Equity and Inclusion Summit

Hosted by GSB, this conference brings together seventh and eighth grade independent and public-school students to engage in discussions centered on inclusion and belonging in their schools. The conference aims to help student leaders become agents of change in their communities.

Alumni of Color Network

In partnership with the Director of Alumni Affairs, the Alumni of Color Network provides an additional space for our alumni to connect with each other across interests, professions, and graduation class, as well as to stay connected to the current student community.

Links to Diversity Resources

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Community Team

Tracey Goodson Barrett

Tracey Goodson Barrett

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; 9th-Grade Seminar
Candace Pryor Brown

Candace Pryor Brown

Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Upper School History
Manuel Hercules

Manuel Hercules

Chair, Math Department; NJ SEEDS Liaison
Camille Bonds

Camille Bonds

Digital Communications and Technology Specialist, Upper School Computer Science
Monique  Brown

Monique Brown

Middle School Spanish Instructor, Middle School DEIC Coordinator