This video was originally released on the evening of June 3, 2020.
An Important Video Message from Head of School Lise Charlier
In the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd, and the protests that ensued as citizens have shown up in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement across the country, CSW has struggled with its own understanding of what it means to be committed to racial justice. Over the past few days, we have had challenging moments and conversations. We have also come together to create a path forward. The change does not happen in the acknowledgment of wrongdoing alone, but in the consistent acts that follow and are sustained. We are committed to meeting your expectations and living and embodying the values we so often articulate.
It is important to acknowledge that members of our community, specifically black and brown students and faculty, are often the ones doing the hard work of raising awareness and supporting and taking care of one another and our students. This is a reality, and one of the challenges of a predominantly white institution. We recognize this and acknowledge faculty and staff of color for the important work that they do and the contributions they make to our community. This burden should not fall on them, or on our affinity groups.
It is important to acknowledge that members of our community, specifically black and brown students and faculty, are often the ones doing the hard work of raising awareness and supporting and taking care of one another and our students. This is a reality, and one of the challenges of a predominantly white institution. We recognize this and acknowledge faculty and staff of color for the important work that they do and the contributions they make to our community. This burden should not fall on them, or on our affinity groups.
As an educational institution, it is our responsibility to challenge our students and adult community members to learn and grow. How do we embody the values we articulate? How do our students and adults support one another, do the personal work to be truly anti-racist, and find meaningful ways to contribute to positive change? This must happen in all aspects of our work — in the classroom, in our programming, in our meetings and committees, at the board level, etc. This work is never complete and we must continue to move towards improving as individuals and as a community every day.
Lise Charlier
Head of School
Rosanna Salcedo
Dean of Equity & Inclusion
Lise Charlier
Head of School
Rosanna Salcedo
Dean of Equity & Inclusion
Our Commitments to Action
The following is an evolving list. We will continue to add items here as community conversations continue with the work of a task force.
We commit to:
- Offering new and different forms of support: spaces to express and listen, and spaces in which to work towards change.
- Convening a Racial Equity Task Force to examine our policies, practices, pedagogy, programs, and curricula, and propose any necessary changes to ensure CSW supports the needs of our black and brown students, faculty, and staff.
- Consistent, ongoing cultural competency and racial literacy training for adults across all departments.
- Collecting data that will guide our work towards racial equity at our school. Some of the areas we will examine include: the admissions process; access in all aspects of the school program; the college counseling process; academic advising and support; residential life; health & counseling; and leadership opportunities.
- Engaging in required anti-racist education with our students and adults, through the curriculum, additional programming, and professional development for faculty and staff.
- Sharing resources for how to advance learning and engage in larger movements happening around our country.
- Providing greater access to a wider range of families, with a special focus on recruiting black and African-American students, faculty, and staff.
Resources for Continued Education & Action
CSW Resources
Action Steps We Can All Take for Racial Justice
CSW Library's Anti-Racist Reading List
Video Resources
Before the Conversation: Watch This, Deconstructing White Privilege
How to Talk to Kids about Race
How to Raise a Black Son in America
Online Articles
Resources for Talking about Race, Racism, and Racialized Violence with Kids
10 Tips for Teaching and Talking to Kids about Race
Talking to Children About Racial Bias
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.