At Good Shepherd, one of our primary goals has always been to create and sustain a warm and welcoming community. As we continue to work toward this goal, we are pleased to have Ms. May as our Director of Community and Belonging. Formerly referred to as our diversity, equity and inclusion effort, community and belonging focuses on continually strengthening our community and creating an environment where all members feel they belong. Our community and belonging work is derived from our Episcopal Identity, our mission, and our desire to educate the “whole student.” Good Shepherd helps students learn to love their neighbors as themselves and to honor the dignity of every human being.

So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
- Romans 12:5

What can parents expect?

As parents, you can expect opportunities to be involved and walk alongside Good Shepherd and your children in our community and belonging work. We’re especially pleased to welcome you back to campus this school year to participate in-person in our community efforts. Here are some of the ways we will be exploring community and belonging, and encouraging you to participate, throughout the school year:

• Fostering relationships and connections.
   
  • We are inviting all of our families to participate in individual, face-to-face, phone, or Zoom listening sessions with Ms. May. In these sessions, you will be able to share your experiences with community and belonging, excitement for the work, questions, and concerns. Please schedule a time for your family!
    
    Schedule your Family Listening Session HERE
  • At Mini-School Night, your teachers will share the community and belonging work your children will experience in the classroom and how it contributes to learning and education. If other opportunities for community and belonging work arise throughout the school year, teachers will share these opportunities with you.
     
  • Ms. May will be available for questions and conversations at your grade-level Coffee & Conversations with Division Heads.
     
• Enhancing policies, practices, and programs outside the classroom.
   
  • At Good Shepherd, we regularly evaluate our policies and practices across all areas within our community, as we look for new ways to excel. In this spirit, we will continue to evaluate and refine the quality of the Good Shepherd experience through the lenses of admissions, advancement, community outreach, and hiring to ensure our culture and climate foster belonging for all.
     
• Engaging with multiple perspectives.
   
  • We will continue to equip our faculty, staff, and parents with knowledge to spark students’ curiosity and guide students’ learning in age-appropriate ways.  

As the school year progresses, if you have questions or concerns about activities in the classroom, please reach out to your teachers. If you still have questions or concerns after visiting with your child’s teacher, please contact your Division Head or Ms. May.