Cultural Competency & Inclusion

In accordance with our mission, core beliefs, and strategic plan, we seek to foster and affirm a diverse and inclusive community at Savannah Country Day School.  Members of this community reflect varied and multi-faceted backgrounds and identities and acknowledge these differences with sensitivity and respect.  This community is critical to nurturing a sense of belonging in each student and inspiring lifelong intellectual and personal growth in all.
Lower School

Lower School students participate in monthly initiatives focused on cultural awareness, self-awareness and empathy. The 3rd-5th grade students put on an annual multi-cultural potluck. Students experience various food tastings, cultural traditions, games, and more.

Middle School

Student Diversity Club: Middle School is an opportune place for students to foster and engage in dialogue related to Cultural Competency and Inclusion. This important dialogue brings awareness to issues in the Middle School and provides solutions and strategies to navigate these issues. 

Upper School

Our Upper School club, Students Celebrating Diversity, brings awareness to the larger SCDS community. Every year we send a cohort of students to the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference. Students Celebrating Diversity adhere to the following goals:

We educate ourselves and the greater community; create an environment that welcomes open and honest dialogues among everyone; emphasize empathy, tolerance, and acceptance; and work toward ending macro and microaggressions.

Meet the Cultural Competency & Inclusion Team

Mrs. Karen Brown

Director of Cultural Competency and Inclusion
B.A., Howard University

Dr. Julia López Fuentes

Upper School History Teacher & Upper School Coordinator for Cultural Competency & Inclusion
PhD, Emory University
M.A., Mount Holyoke College
B.A., History & French, Mount Holyoke College

Mr. David Nash

Middle School Counselor, English Teacher
M.A., School Counseling, Lamar University
M.A., Elementary Education, Florida Atlantic University
B.A., Political Science, University of Miami
AS, Culinary Arts, Johnson & Wales

Ms. Mary Barron

LS Learning Support, LS Cultural Competency & Inclusion Coordinator & Head Varsity Cheer Coach
M.Ed., Leadership & Curriculum Design, Wilmington University
B.A., Elementary Education, Drew University

Ms. Jennifer Sams

Little School Teacher, Little School Cultural Competency and Inclusion Coordinator
B.A., Psychology, Albany State University

Cultural Competency and Inclusion News

Exploring Hispanic-American Scientists & Doctors

Eighth grade science celebrated National Hispanic Heritage month with a deep dive into contributions from our Hispanic-American community in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students researched historical figures and created PowerPoint presentations highlighting the impact from individuals such as Dr. Deborah Berebichez, Dr. Franklin Diaz, Dr. Helen Rodríguez-Trías and Dr. Luis Alvarez.

Hispanic Heritage Month in the Lower School

To commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, students in first through fourth grade Spanish class got their passports and plane tickets ready to “travel” to the Spanish-speaking countries of the world. They spent time exploring the countries' different cultures and traditions, while learning about the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.