Belonging at Sanford

Ted and I also talked at length about our ongoing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. This was no surprise to this group, as diversity has been a core pillar of our strategic conversations since we began drafting our current strategic plan in 2017.
 
After hearing about the programs that our board DEI Committee and DEI Director Jamy Haughey had planned for students, parents, teachers, and alumni this year, Board Secretary Kathy Nachbar leaned forward to share her thoughts. Kathy is an alumni parent. She and her husband Ken, a former Sanford trustee, have long been Sanford champions. While she is not verbose, Kathy is one of the wisest and most thoughtful trustees with whom I’ve worked during my 18 years as a head of school. She reminds me of the EF Hutton ads from my childhood, which stated “When EF Hutton talks, people listen.” Same with Kathy Nachbar.
 
Kathy shared with our board committee that it was 30 years ago that her family chose Sanford for their sons Brian ’08 and Michael ’05. One of the key deciding factors in the Nachbars' decision was their feeling that among area schools, Sanford offered the most diverse and welcoming environment for families. Kathy went on to say that she is proud that our school continues to embrace DEI values and that we do the work necessary to maintain those core values and principles.
 
Wow! As a school leader, I’m not sure if I’ve ever been more proud. The ringing endorsement from a Sanford stalwart—who has known our school community for three decades—was a shot of confidence this head needed to hear. We are doing good work in DEI. Work that reflects who Sanford is, who we were in the past, and who we will be in the future.
 
I know that DEI makes some members of our community uncomfortable. Some feel that talking about diversity or race or differences divides and weakens our community. Others are concerned some sort of political agenda is attached to DEI.

Whether we want to admit it to ourselves or not, our country has a complex relationship and history around race and diversity.
 
By embracing DEI conversations and facilitating the exploration of tough issues, Sanford is preparing students to inherit a complex world. These experiences will empower our graduates to approach life after Sanford with skills and knowledge that will help them work and live with all types of people.
 
If you would like to experience one of our 2021–2022 DEI programs, please join us in the du Pont Library, on Tuesday, October 26th, at 6:00 PM, for a workshop presented by Chap Equity Founder Dr. Sandra Chapman on Children’s Development of Difference. Dr. Chapman led a parent workshop several weeks ago. Following that event, we received positive feedback from several parents, including Lisa Martin, who shared: ​​“I was pleased to find Dr. Chapman's talk relaxed and enjoyable. It wasn't a ‘lecture.’ It was a discussion, even though she happened to be behind a podium. She was casual and funny, everyone was at ease, and I walked away feeling that I had learned some positive information and had fun chatting with new friends.”
 
Sanford is a school where all students and families belong. I’m grateful our school is part of your journey and that you are part of our Sanford community.