A Message from Marist School Leadership
At Marist School, we continue to take sure and resolute steps forward in our work to build and nurture an inclusive community. The many activities of the 2022-2023 academic year are emblematic of our significant progress. The details outlined below represent the most recent steps we have taken to cultivate and further a welcoming community of respect. We have built upon our work from preceding years, and we have made great strides on new initiatives.
We often look to Society of Mary Founder Jean-Claude Colin for wisdom to fulfill our school’s mission to form the whole person in the image of Christ. Fr. Colin believed that “Marist schools [are] platforms for forming good citizens, and by that the school not only teaches justice, but also acts justly.” We avow to live up to those words every day and that will ensure we continue to celebrate the dignity and God-given blessings of every person we are fortunate to serve on our campus.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Bill Rowland, S.M., President
Mr. Kevin Mullally, Principal
Highlights from 2022-2023:
Strengthening our Students’ Capacity for Empathy
Enhancing Cultural Competency for Faculty & Staff
Strengthening Our Students’ Capacity for Empathy
Empathy is essential to an inclusive community that values and respects the uniqueness of each of its members. Marist School intentionally weaves into its educational offerings myriad opportunities and experiences that help students build their capacity for empathy, which will be a critical skill for them to possess to be the compassionate servant leaders they are called to be.
Marist is No Place for Hate
In February 2023, Marist’s Director of Inclusion & Diversity Mr. Aaron Hill joined 10 students to attend the 22nd annual ADL Southeast No Place for Hate Summit, which seeks to inspire students to become leaders, helps them learn to practice effective allyship, and provides them with the tools and skills necessary to combat hatred in their own lives, schools, and communities. Attending the summit gives students a chance to hear from respected guest speakers and offers them the opportunity to gather with peers from other schools to amplify one another’s voices collectively take a stance against hate. Marist’s attendees brought their experience back to campus to lead fellow classmates in reaffirming Marist School’s “No Place for Hate” status.
This spring, Mr. Hill was recognized by ADL Southeast as an Educator Changemaker, making a difference by addressing bias and working to foster an inclusive and equitable community at Marist. Commenting on this honor, Elizabeth McCall ’24 said, "Mr. Hill has been a great example of change within our school.”
Since his arrival at Marist in 2022, Mr. Hill has been a proponent for equity and belonging and a strong advocate for Marist students. He shared his perspective in an article that ran in a recent issue of the Society of Mary’s Today’s Marists publication and that has been shared throughout the worldwide Marist network. He commented, “We must begin, then, by loving ourselves as God loves us, and in turn we begin to love others as God loves them.”
Student Diversity Leadership Conference
With 18 community members in attendance, Marist School was well represented last fall at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference (POCC) for faculty and staff and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in San Antonio, Texas. The students and faculty joined others from across the nation to learn, collaborate, and support one another’s efforts to build and sustain inclusive school communities that provide safe spaces to learn and grow. Student attendees, many of whom are members of Marist’s Student Diversity Leadership Council, had the opportunity to share their experiences with the entire faculty and staff upon returning as well as with their peers. The SDLC gave students a glimpse of the world they will enter when they graduate from Marist and helped further their knowledge of how they can be compassionate leaders when called upon to serve. The POCC further helped to further enhance the cultural competency of Marist faculty and staff.
Affinity Groups
Affinity groups provide students a safe space to gather with others like them to discuss relevant issues, process their experiences, and be themselves comfortably to enhance personal growth and connection to their identity.
- Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Affinity Group – Marist’s new AAPI club will fully launch at the start of the 2023-2024 academic year. Marist personal and academic counselor Ms. Isabella Tsui, who moderates the club, assembled a core group this spring.
- Black Student Alliance – In its third year, this club provides a space of belonging for Black students where they can share experiences and build education and awareness opportunities for fellow classmates to learn about Black culture across the diaspora.
- Latin American Studies Culture Club – Moderated by Marist social studies teacher Mr. José Gregory, this club educates the Marist community about Latin America’s people and culture and empowers members through collaborative activities.
- Mosaic Diversity Club – Marist’s oldest affinity group, this club welcomes members who want to learn about ways to celebrate the diversity in the Marist community. Members are especially attuned to issues of justice, equality, and peace.
These affinity groups hosted multiple activities throughout the school year for all students to celebrate the blessings of diversity at Marist School.
Middle School Assembly on Belonging
Every step along the way, Marist helps students come to understand the elements that create community and give everyone in it a strong sense of belonging. In November, Foundations students (7th and 8th graders) participated in an assembly to discuss ways they can be inclusive with their fellow classmates and worked through scenarios to help them understand what it means to be a good friend.
Amplifying Awareness and Directing Discussions
In working to form the teenagers in our care in the image of Christ, there are inescapable bumps in the road that become moments to teach and elevate the focus on empathy. This year, Marist initiated classroom discussions during advisory and homeroom in response to an instance where a student used derogatory speech toward another student. Marist empowered students to respond strongly and swiftly if they witness demeaning behavior, hate speech, and microaggressions. Similarly, Marist administrators reaffirmed the pledge to do the same while enforcing and strengthening the policies in the Parent/Student Handbook. The conversations are ongoing, but the work is being done to build and maintain an inclusive community of belonging and respect.
By our baptism, we are members of Christ’s body and sharers in his mission. Imitating Christ, we must care for all members of our communities, honoring each person as unique, sacred, and created in the image of God.”
- Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Enhancing Cultural Competency for Faculty & Staff
With knowledge gleaned from the Intercultural Development Inventory we undertook during the 2021-2022 school year, Marist School continues to seek growth opportunities for our faculty and staff in order to move us forward as a community along the continuum of cross-cultural competence. Several new initiatives during this school year are helping us to continue this essential work.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights Affiliate Partner Program
Marist School has signed on for a three-year program as an affiliate partner of the National Center or Civil and Human Rights. As such, we now have access to a wide variety of programming and events for students as well as professional development for faculty and staff.
People of Color Conference
While several Marist students attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas last fall, a handful of faculty and staff members attended the People of Color Conference (POCC) sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools. The POCC helped to further enhance the cultural competency of Marist faculty and staff. According to Campus Minister Maureen Pasteris, “I was able to connect with other educators with similar goals in praxis in how to best advocate for our students and foster a sense of belonging for all at Marist School.”
Professional Development on Microaggressions
For the initial professional development of the school year, faculty and staff participated in a session on implicit biases and micro- and macro-aggressions in the workplace. Facilitated by A.C.T. Consulting LLC practitioners Erin Beacham and Perri D. Chandler, the session was eye-opening as well as encouraging as we grasped the subtle ways that careless interactions and unknowing stereotypes can undermine our pursuit to build a school community of respect.
Implicit Bias Training for Academic Council
Mr. Aaron Hill, Marist’s director of inclusion and diversity, provided training for the Academic Council on implicit bias. He described the types of bias and how these learned assumptions can cause quick judgments of people and situations and affect attitudes and behaviors in both positive and negative ways. Unconscious bias can hinder decision-making, impact team dynamics and leadership styles, and limit company diversity. Since the department chairs on the Academic Council are directly involved with hiring new faculty, it is important for them to be aware of their own implicit biases to take steps to mitigate their effects; ultimately, that can help Marist work toward a more diverse and inclusive workplace environment.
Celebrating the Blessings of Diversity on Our Campus
In many ways, the Marist School community has found opportunities to celebrate the diversity on our campus and the shared humanity in all of us.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Combining forces, the Latin American Studies Culture Club, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, and the Office of Inclusion and Diversity led the Marist community in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month with a Block Party, special morning prayers, a display case decorated with items symbolic of Hispanic culture, as well as with Hispanic foods, music, and dance to bring the culture to life.
MLK Day and Black History Month
Marist School recognized Martin Luther King, Jr., Day this year with a stirring multimedia presentation called “At the Table with Dr. King”. The assembly featured stirring live music and recitations of Dr. King’s speeches and letters, all of which challenged us to assume responsibility to build community around us, discover what contributions we can make with our own unique gifts, and accept God’s calling for each of us. Marist students left the assembly with the instruction: “Go out and receive your call.” Marist observed Black History Month with a colorfully decorated display case detailing the evolution of Black hair throughout history and many teachers decorated their classroom doors with notable Black figures from American history.
Women’s History Month
In recognition of Women’s History Month, Marist hosted its first Real Talk Girls Conference featuring guest speakers and table discussions aimed at inspiring students to bond with and uplift each other on their journey of growth and discovery.
Share the Journey
The Share the Journey Club leads our school community in showcasing the often-arduous path of refugees and migrants worldwide. These students answer Pope Francis’ call to encounter and walk in support and solidarity with refugees and migrants, raising awareness through the annual Marist Goes Global Fair and the Share the Journey Pilgrimage. Both events highlight Marist connections with the global community, helping our students to envision the responsibility they have to be compassionate servant leaders.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The United States observes Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month each May, so in May 2023 Marist took the opportunity to launch a new affinity group that will recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on our nation’s history, culture, and achievements. The newly formed AAPI Club got a running start laying its foundation so the club can flourish at the onset of the next school year.
All these activities and more help Marist students build empathy for those around them and those from diverse cultures across the world. This mind-expanding perspective will help them lead and serve wherever they are in the world.
A Marist education should aim to help the students confront social injustices such as racism, sexism, and intolerance. A Marist student should learn to collaborate with other men and women of good will no matter their creed, race, or social standing to help build communities where the dignity of the person is manifested.”
- #216, Standards and Expectations of a Marist Education: U.S. Province Schools and Sponsored Schools
Ongoing Inclusion & Diversity Efforts
Office of Inclusion & Diversity
The addition of Mr. Aaron Hill as Marist’s director of inclusion and diversity has provided new perspectives and added accountability to our school’s efforts in this area. He has assembled a dedicated team of assistants including José Gregory, Carol Rivera, Sarah Conn, and Maureen Pasteris, and together they help ensure that Marist stays firmly focused on our efforts to build a community of respect and belonging.
Diversity Advisory Council and Student Diversity Leadership Council
We continue to seek guidance and perspective from our Diversity Advisory Council, which meets monthly to discuss the school’s inclusion and diversity initiatives, offer feedback on programs, and collaborate on issues or incidents that threaten the school’s inclusive environment. The members of the Diversity Advisory Council provide a listening ear and an objective eye on school happenings and also consult regularly with the Student Diversity Leadership Council.
Piloting Advanced Placement African American Studies Course
Beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, Marist School will be among the first schools to offer the new Advanced Placement African American Studies course, allowing students to explore the vital contributions and experiences of African Americans.
Employee Recruitment
Marist continues to augment our nationwide efforts to recruit diverse faculty and staff by attending teacher of color recruitment fairs and visiting historically Black colleges and universities. We continually seek faith-filled candidates to join us in our communal pursuit of excellence to educate young people in the image of Christ.
Helen Bawak Wamey ’22 Memorial Award
Marist has a new award that recognizes a student for exceptional kindness, empathy, and hospitality and for promoting diversity and inclusivity through extending outreach and welcome to all members of the Marist School community. The first recipient of the Helen Bawak Wamey ’22 Memorial Award is O'Keefe McKinney '23.
Looking Forward
The work we do at Marist School to build a community of inclusion and belonging is essential to the fulfillment of our school’s mission to form students in the image of Christ. We model ourselves on Mary, Jesus’ first disciple, and learn from her how acceptance and inclusion can unite us in a community characterized by ardent love of neighbor.
It is Marist’s special joy to learn from Mary how to be present to many different groups in the school and local community.”
-#214, Standards and Expectations of a Marist Education: U.S. Province Schools and Sponsored Schools
We look forward to providing future updates on the work we’re doing in this important area. To share ideas and feedback with us, please email info@marist.com.