DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

“The needs of humankind are universal. Our means of meeting them create the richness and diversity of the planet. The Montessori child should come to relish the texture of that diversity.”
—Dr. Maria Montessori

ON DIVERSITY & EQUITY

At Les Lilas French Bilingual Community School, we wholeheartedly embrace the diverse tapestry of our world. Our unique backgrounds, encompassing culture, race, religion, ethnicity, age, family structures, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds, learning styles, and worldviews, among others, collectively create a vibrant learning environment that is an integral part of nurturing our students on their journey towards global citizenship and maturity.

Our interactions within our school community are guided by core principles of respect, fairness, justice, compassion, peace, and individual accountability. Discrimination has no place here. We consciously acknowledge and treasure the value of diversity in all aspects of our institution, from our hiring practices and admissions processes to our classroom dynamics, professional development, and community engagement.

ON INCLUSIVITY AT LES LILAS

At Les Lilas, we firmly believe that achieving educational excellence necessitates the cultivation of an inclusive and diverse community. Within our classroom environments, we purposefully create the ideal conditions, employ relevant materials, and implement a curriculum that promotes harmony and celebrates diversity. Through our commitment to inclusion and collaboration, we inspire one another to cultivate open-mindedness and foster an appreciation for a multitude of perspectives and ideas.

JEDI COMMITTEE

At Les Lilas, our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (JEDI) Committee is driven by passionate parents who aim to cultivate meaningful dialogue within our entire Les Lilas community. To discover more about the committee, its mission, objectives, upcoming events, and available resources, please visit the dedicated JEDI Committee page.

RESOURCES

RACIAL EQUITY TOOLS GLOSSARY

Click here for a nice mini glossary covering various topics relating to diversity and inclusion work. Definitely worth scrolling through and seeing which words may be completely new to you!

GUIDE TO ALLYSHIP

This is a comprehensive guide on what it means to be an "ally," what it looks like in practice, and what we can all do through our words and actions to support individuals that hold identities different from our own.

"HOW TO TALK TO KIDS ABOUT DIFFICULT SUBJECTS"

This article provides a great breakdown of how to approach potentially dicey topics with your children in order to establish a feeling of confidence and knowledge surrounding those topics. Includes tips based on age group as well!

BRITT HAWTHORNE

Britt Hawthorne is an antiracist educator and author of the book Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide. Take the time to explore their website and find out why they're such a notable name in the DEI field!