Diversity celebrates our students’ varied backgrounds which give strength and depth to our community of learners. Inclusion is how we recognize and respect all differences. We seek to cultivate a culture that welcomes these values because we believe they lead to more innovation, engagement and discoveries. We want to guide our children to understand and celebrate differences today so that they can become ambassadors of acceptance, kindness and equality tomorrow. To that end, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee will support the Darien Public Schools district goals and plans toward equity. We hope to provide constructive resources, peer touchpoints and positive opportunities for the Tokeneke parent community, in collaboration with Tokeneke staff, to further these goals. We want everyone to feel respected and valued for their unique perspectives and welcome ideas toward building an inclusive community. 

Resources:
From the NPR article, “Why All Parents Should Talk with Their Kids About Social Identity:” Differences like class, skin color, gender and religion don’t have to divide us, but ignoring them won’t unite us either. Conversation is key, Sesame Workshop argues in this new report to building your children’s own positive sense of identity – along with a healthy respect for everyone else’s.” You can read the full article here.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson opens with the line, “There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you.” Click here to listen to this children’s book about embracing differences read by the author.

If you have a helpful resource or idea to share, or if you’d like to volunteer for a cultural share, please reach out to ptotokenekedi@gmail.com.