DEIB

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Laurel School, the fulfillment of our mission: "To inspire each girl to fulfill her promise and to better the world" requires that we respect and fully honor each member of our community.

DEIB at Laurel serves as a resource to the community for training, social and cultural programming and inclusive educational approaches. We strive to promote equity and justice.

An Inclusive and Equitable School Community

A K-12 school for girls with a coed Early Childhood, Laurel School is proud to be an inclusive and equitable school. We know communities are stronger when its members represent a variety of experiences and backgrounds. We are committed to embracing students whose individuality will enrich our learning environment. We seek to hire faculty and staff members who will bring their unique skills and perspectives to Laurel School.

Laurel's DEIB Curriculum

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Early Childhood School (Early Learners-Prekindergarten)

Children have a DEIB Curriculum that is taught monthly by a co-director of DEIB. The following topics are discussed through books and activities in a developmentally appropriate way: human rights, social identity, social justice, race, racism/anti-racism, gender, religion, disabilities and socioeconomics. By introducing these topics in Early Childhood, we normalize conversations about difference and diversity that children will continue to learn more about as they grow.
Primary School (Kindergarten-Grade 5)

Children have a DEIB Curriculum that is taught monthly by a co-director of DEIB. The following topics are discussed through books and activities in a developmentally appropriate way: human rights, social identity, social justice, race, racism/anti-racism, gender, religion, disabilities and socioeconomics. By learning about and discussing these topics, we normalize conversations about difference and diversity that children will continue to learn more about as they grow.
Middle School (Grades 6-8)

In the context of classroom discussions, literature and theme studies teachers, Middle School students continue to examine human rights, social identity, social justice, race, racism/anti-racism, gender, religion, disabilities and socioeconomics. In addition, Advisory serves a smaller space to learn about and discuss DEIB.
Upper School (Grades 9-12)

DEIB in the Upper School is part of the 9-12 Seminar. DEIB in Seminar looks at diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging with a global lens. It asks girls to recognize how and why they have certain beliefs and then asks them to be open to learn about others who do not. Topics of discussion include but are not limited to identity, intersectionality, implicit bias, race, racism and gentrification.
Facing History and Ourselves

Facing History and Ourselves
Facing History and Ourselves (FHAO) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of civil and human rights abuses and genocide through education. Laurel has been deeply involved in FHAO since 2008. In 2016, we became part of the Northeastern Ohio network of FHAO schools, giving us access to more shared professional opportunities for our faculty. Laurel is a partner school in the Facing History Innovative Schools Network as well as the Northeast Ohio network and the FHAO curriculum is woven into Grades 7-12.

In Middle School, Humanities include topics such as a focus on human experiences in imperialism, World War I, and the Chicago World's Fair in Seventh Grade and Reconstruction, Civil Rights, and the fragility of democracy in the Eighth Grade call on students to identify sources of injustice. Research and class projects encourage girls to engage in broader community discussions on these topics.

In the Upper School, courses that draw on Facing History lessons and materials include required classes in English and history, seminars and electives. Facing History resources are used in semester-long courses that focus on such subjects as South African history, genocide, feminism, Pan-Asian studies, and urban American culture since the 1920s. In these classes, students must confront challenging topics, such as prejudice, discrimination and violence.

DEIB Student Groups

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Asian Culture Society (Upper School)

The Asian Culture Society educates the school community about the diversity of customs, foods and daily life across the continent. Members try different cuisines, watch movies and shows from and about Asian countries, and promote cultural awareness.
Black Student Union (BSU) (Upper School)

The BSU’s mission is to promote discussion and dialogue between all students at Laurel. We hope to create a safe space for all BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) and to discuss nationwide current events, historical events, and any contemporary issues within our school regarding the Black community.
DEIB Scholars (Upper School)

DEIB Scholars is open to rising Tenth and Eleventh Grade Students. The application process involves completing an online application and personal interview.
True to the definition of diversity, “A range of different things, a variety,” our DEIB Scholars represent the many voices, ideas and faces of Laurel School.

Students who apply to be a DEIB Scholar come from our entire community; participation is open not only to conservative or liberal, religious or nonreligious. All voices can find a place in this important work.

As a DEIB Scholar, students actively engage in the work of equity, social justice and inclusion; develop leadership skills; and apply those skills both within and outside of the Laurel community.
Jewish Culture Club (Upper School)

Mission: To educate students on Jewish culture, current events happening in Israel and around the globe and the diversity of culture within the Jewish religion. We welcome people of all religions and backgrounds.
L.E.A.F. Laurel’s Environmental Action for the Future (Upper School)

Do you want to be a changemaker for the future of our planet’s health? Join LEAF! Help to make the Laurel campus more sustainable. Educate the Laurel community and beyond in fun and creative ways. Learn how you can live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Laurel Christian Fellowship (Upper School)

Mission: A space for people to share their own opinions and listen to the opinions of others with a Christian-based lens.
Linked@Laurel (Primary & Middle Schools)

Established in 2013, Linked@Laurel, an affinity group that promotes cultural awareness for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) at Laurel, provides a supportive and welcoming space in which girls spend time with other girls and teachers who share their racial identity. Students may discuss and explore books and share stories about their experiences, hobbies, families and cultures. Research suggests such groups are essential for young children in strengthening racial identity when they are in the minority of a school population. Participating in Linked@Laurel is a choice each girl makes for herself with input from her family.
Muslim Student Association (Upper School)

A community for Muslim students at Laurel to gather and support each other in Islam. The club will host a space for talks, prayers and Islamic activities. All students are welcome if they are interested in learning more about the Islamic faith.
Prism (Upper School)

Mission: To provide acceptance of LGBT+ and respect for difference in identity, orientation and presentation and to raise awareness and support for LGBT+ issues.

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On Gender

Laurel School is proud of our long-standing tradition of raising up the voices of girls and women and educating our students to fulfill their promise and better the world. Within this environment, designed for the education of girls, we value and respect the safety of all members of our community, no matter their gender identity, and expect all our constituents to respect the school’s history, values and mission. Should a current Laurel student begin to question their gender identity and/or identify as other than female, we will continue to support that student as a member of the Laurel School community and work with the student and the student’s family to determine if Laurel continues to be the right setting for that student.
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Meet the Co-Directors of DEIB

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Candace Maiden

Interim Director of the Middle School and Co-Director of DEIB

Bio
Candace Maiden earned a B.A. from The Ohio State University, an M.A. in Counseling at Dallas Baptist University, a Master in Teaching at Liberty University, and a graduate certificate in Diversity and Equity in the Workplace from University of South Florida Muma College of Business.

After three years of teaching at Laurel, Ms. Maiden was the recipient of The Virginia Beidler Neff Award in 2020. In 2022, Ms. Maiden was recognized as a Woman of Professional Excellence with the YWCA. Ms. Maiden is the facilitator of the Black/African American Families of Laurel Affinity Group, Linked @ Laurel, and is the proud mother of a Laurel Kindergartener.

Candace can be reached by emailing her at cMaiden@LaurelSchool.org or DEIB@LaurelSchool.org.