Dear O'Connell Family,
As we close out the first few weeks of the academic year here at Bishop O'Connell, we want to share with you our ongoing efforts to intentionally look inward and move forward in the areas of diversity and equity in our school community.
Beginning in the early days of June, a committee of faculty and staff members worked together discussing and guiding the conversation about race and equity in our O'Connell community. This group also hosted more than 20 listening sessions that included approximately 100 community members—students, parents, alumni, teachers and staff members. These sessions served as a springboard to an ongoing conversation of how we can improve our practices to serve the needs of our students and our community.
Naming a Director of Diversity, Equity and Unity – Through our work this summer, we quickly recognized the importance of an appointed leader in place at the administrative level, whose primary focus is to advance the growth within this critical arena, so as to ensure that we are living up to the promise of our mission for all of our students and our community, regardless of their ethnicity and background. To that end, we are thrilled to announce that English Department Chair, Brittany Davis, has agreed to undertake this broad challenge as Bishop O'Connell's inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity and Unity.
In this role, Mrs. Davis has been engaging all of us while leading a number of initiatives that will help ensure that we are purposeful and intentional in addressing and advancing this intrinsically pro-life conversation, so that we can be truly focused on the dignity of every person.
Establishing a Diversity, Equity and Unity Council – Mrs. Davis has formed a more formal faculty and staff Diversity, Equity and Unity (DEU) Council made up of members from a cross section of academic and programmatic departments (including counseling, student life, athletics and more). Members of this group serve as the liaisons between the faculty/staff and the Council and are responsible for relaying questions, concerns, and ideas to the Council, as well as sharing information from the Council back to this community. More importantly, they serve as an accountability partner regarding the implementation of equitable, inclusive practices from academics to social/emotional and mental health issues.
Soon to Come - Student DEU Council – The DEU Council is working to create a partner committee made up of elected students who will meet with them on a regular basis to stay current on student perspectives on current programs and practices, and ideas for positive changes.
Communicating Our Initiatives – The DEU Council is planning a monthly Diversity, Equity and Unity Newsletter to share information and upcoming events with the community. Be on the look-out for this. In addition, we've established a presence on the school website, where we will be sharing resources and more information. Please visit the webpage at bishopoconnell.org/DEU to find out more.
We would like to leave you with our commitment statement, which is the foundation for this work and for all the work that we do here at Bishop O'Connell:
Our Commitment as a School Community to Diversity, Equity and Unity:
We at Bishop O'Connell High School are committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and compassionate community grounded in a culture of integrity and equity.
We recognize and value the unique God-given qualities and characteristics of each individual in our community.
Students, faculty and staff are called on to listen more deeply to the experiences of others and to respond with resolve to live up to our Catholic mission, respecting the inherent dignity of the human person.
In Christ,
Bill Crittenberger, Head of School
Carl Patton, Principal
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BISHOP O'CONNELL HIGH SCHOOL
6600 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA 22213 • (703) 237-1400