About
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
Norfolk Collegiate is a diverse community who respects individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, natural origin, culture, sexual orientation, disability and socioeconomic status. We view the family as the primary source of traditions and values for children. However, we acknowledge the responsibility of educational institutions to create learning environments that prepare students to be successful in this global society.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice (DEIJ) Initiative
In August 2020, Collegiate launched our multi-year comprehensive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Initiative in response to issues first raised by African American alumni, as a demonstration of the school’s commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive learning community. We are dedicated to being an actively anti-racist institution that creates a safe environment and sense of belonging for all students, families, faculty and staff. The initiative will guide students, faculty and staff and the community to a more thoughtful understanding of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and justice and how this contributes to the school’s significance and success in the 21st century.
The initiative will focus on five core areas:
The initiative will focus on five core areas:
- Student experience and education
- Family experience and education
- Curriculum
- Community engagement
- Hiring practices
- DEIJ Steering Committee comprised of Board of Trustee members
- Assistant Head of School for Advancement
- Working groups comprised of the Collegiate community, including trustees, alumni, parents, faculty and staff.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Initiatives
Norfolk Collegiate's Head of School and Board of Trustees Chair detail the school's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice initiatives since the summer of 2020.
List of 5 items.
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Curriculum & Instruction
- The Board, senior leadership and faculty have completed a DEIJ training session.
- The school will be offering the Assessment of Inclusion and Multiculturalism survey provided by the National Association of Independent School. This will be a follow-up to the version offered in 2016. This survey will help inform the work of each of the five committees all of which is seeking additional information about various constituent perspectives focusing on experiences to include students, alumni, parents and the broader community. These will be launched later this spring.
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Employee Experience
- Revamped employee hiring materials and attended a diversity hiring conference.
- Exploring affinity and mentoring groups for employees through the Diversity Network.
- Attending career fairs at our local colleges and universities, including Norfolk State University and Hampton University.
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External Engagement
- Greater inclusivity and diversity in marketing and communication messages.
- Hold Legacy of Diversity fund solicitation in the spring.
- Partner with and sponsor events with the Urban League of Hampton Roads and the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian Awards.
- Committee on Trustees is actively seeking diverse candidates from the community.
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Family Experience
- Board member outreach to welcome all new families.
- Held in-person and extended online meetings with families to better address re-enrollment or financial aid issues.
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Student Experience
- Upper school students attended facilitation training to prepare for leading discussions after a talk by Alvin Irby, award-winning educator, comedian and author.
- Middle school students attended the VCIC Prejudice Awareness Summit and have created a student-led club to continue this work in the middle school.
- Lower school students have age-appropriate DEIJ activities and topics incorporated into classes and assemblies.
Steering Committee Roles & Responsibilities
- Ensure the mission of the school is at the forefront of all decisions made in support of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice initiatives
- Ensure all formal communications regarding the initiative align with the vision and mission of Norfolk Collegiate
- Review data and reports assessing diversity, equity and inclusion indicators at Norfolk Collegiate
- Identify action steps for meeting each major goal for their core area in coordination with the working groups
- Prioritize action steps for core areas according to logistical, tactical, and budgetary factors affecting the institution, and clearly communicate such priorities to the working groups
- Provide guidance regarding budgetary matters related to implementation of core areas
- Monitor the progress of the entire diversity, equity, inclusion and justice process and of individual working groups, including the implementation of identified goals and objectives
- Coordinate activities between the working groups
- Respond promptly and openly to requests for advice, assistance, and support from the working groups
- Meet as a committee as needed, but at least quarterly each academic year
- Report progress on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice progress to Board of Trustees
Working Groups Roles & Responsibilities
- Ensure that the mission of the school is at the forefront of all decisions made in support of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice initiatives
- Review data and reports assessing diversity, equity and inclusion indicators relevant to core area
- In conjunction with the steering committee, identify the major goals for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in each of the five core areas
- Identify action steps for meeting each major goal for each core area in coordination with the steering committee
- Act as guides and advocates for core areas throughout the implementation process
- Provide a broad K-Grade 12 perspective on implementation measures and offer feedback to the steering committee regarding potential benefits and challenges of various measures presented in support of core areas
- Meet as a committee as needed, but at least quarterly each academic year
- Seek open communication with the steering committee and seek advice, assistance and support from administration as warranted throughout the process
DEIJ Programming
Norfolk Collegiate actively participates in faculty and staff, and student programming to celebrate the diversity of our world and our community. Click the links below to read about some of the programming and guest speakers who have joined our community throughout the year.
List of 2 items.
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Assessment of Inclusivity & Multiculturalism (AIM)
During the 2015-16 academic year, Norfolk Collegiate's community engaged in a strategic planning process focused on our collective aspirations for our students and our school.
The outcome of this work was six, strategic imperatives, one being well-being and community. The purpose of this imperative is to cultivate a climate of personal integrity and well-being that engenders socially conscious thinking and respectful relationships. -
Partnerships
