Cultural Competency & Inclusion

On Monday, May 16, AAPI and SCD students led a presentation for first graders on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), an integral part of the American cultural mosaic encompassing a wide range of diversity. Following the presentation, students created their very own Rangoli, an art form originating in India, using multi-colored sand and stencils. It was a fun cross-divisional learning opportunity for all!

Saturday’s Multicultural Festival was a great success! Families enjoyed cuisines from around the world, student presentations and activities that represent some of the many cultures of our students. Thank you to everyone who came out for this fantastic event!

The recent Horizons Book Club meeting was an afternoon full of activities—an educational construction tour of the new STEM building, a story about building things together, and a collaborative tower-building activity. Thank you to Upper School students Maya King '23 and Phil-Isabelle Ajayi '23 for volunteering!

The Book Club is a great way for Country Day students to continue to engage with Horizons students throughout the school year.

As part of this year’s Schmidt Lecture Series, we were pleased to welcome Mr. Mark Mathabane, author of the sensational autobiography Kaffir Boy. The story of his struggle to survive under the oppressive system of apartheid in South Africa — and subsequently escaping it — was eye-opening and inspiring to all who attended. Thank you to Mr. Mathabane for speaking to our students and our school community!

As part of Black History Month, members of our Upper School community invited Judge John E. "Pancho" Morse Jr. ’76, the first African American to attend and graduate from Country Day, to speak to Middle and Upper School about his experience as a Black student in the throes of desegregation. Starting at Country Day in high school, he recounted that not a single person looked like him; nonetheless, he went on to make lifelong friendships, relationships and connections that would carry through his personal and professional life. He has fond memories of both athletics and academics at Country Day, noting that his senior project with the late Judge Oliver turned into a lasting mentorship. In addition, he recounted a memory of former Headmaster Tom Triol’s game predictions and concluded his talk with well-wishes for our basketball players in that evening's playoff game.

“There’s a driving force behind everything I have done, and I think it’s because there was not a whole lot that was expected of me,” shared Judge Morse. “I was told many times that I wasn’t going to do that, or be this, or succeed. And that’s the one thing you dare not tell me — what I can’t do. And if you tell me I can’t do it, I’m going to find some kind of way to get it done.

“So, be who you are. And if you are comfortable with who you are, don’t let anyone or anything change that. Because as the change agent that you are, you have to be the individual that you are. Be the best that you can be, whatever it is.”

Thank you to Judge Morse for stopping by today to reflect, connect, and share your important story with us.