Family Diversity @ TPS

With a goal of promoting a more inclusive school community, Family Diversity@TPS plans and orchestrates parent education events and organizes student and parent participation in diversity and equity activities offered around the city. The parent-led group has recently sponsored a Book Group, offering parents the chance to read and process together a specific reading on diversity.

Additionally, the group supports outreach efforts to help all families at The Philadelphia School feel known and included in the life of the school.

If you’d like to be included on the Family Diversity list serve to receive information about the work of the committee and notices of area events, e-mail Lucy Duncan.

Events 2009-2010

October 14, 7:15 p.m., Parent Education Night, speaker Jerry Clark, "An Evening of Reflection, Dialogue, and Renewal: Embracing Diversity at TPS (co-sponsored by TPSA and Family Diversity @ TPS)

October 18, 8 a.m. Philly AIDS Walk

October 29, 7 p.m. TPS Families of Color Affinity Group (in theMultipurpose Room). The group seeks to nurture a safe space for families with children of color to dialogue about their experiences at TPS. We seek to support one another in dealing with issues relevant to our group, promote ongoing communication with the school, and encourage action that addresses our hopes and needs as families of color. For more information, contact either Rosalie or Nazanin (see the parent online directory).

November 16, 7:15 p.m. Potluck and Family Diversity meeting in the Multipurpose Room.

December 10, 7:15 p.m. Let’s Talk Diversity: the TPSA/ Family Diversity Dialogue Group. (in the Multipurpose Room) We chose three on-line readings to discuss for this event: Anna Deavere Smith – Before We All Have a Beer (on the Henry Louis Gates incident); Tim Wise - Off the Deep End: Reflections on Private Clubs, Public Prejudice and Racism 2.0; and Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman - Even Babies Discriminate: a NurtureShock Excerpt.

March 24, 2010, 7 p.m.: Talking with our Children about Race and Racism: A Workshop for the TPS Community. Whole group and breakout sessions were facilitated by Diana Waters and Ellen Murphy of MayaMarc Coaching and Educational Consulting, a multiracial partnership supporting cross-cultural communication and collaboration and promoting the capacity for cultural diversity in American institutions.