RE Log Spring 2019

18 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2019 A key moment for Ransom Everglades was the board’s approval in the spring of 2018 of a DEI mis- sion statement crafted by the Student Life and Inclusion Committee, which also includes David Duckenfield, Julie Franklin, Wendy Holman, Susan Lampen ’71 , Kinga Lampert, Rudy Prio Touzet ’76 , Scott Srebnick ’83 , Ricky Stokes ’94 and Gary Tie-Shue. Barash Murphy said the DEI statement – “Ransom Everglades is committed to providing students with an outstanding education and promoting the ideals of Honor and Excellence. A culture of inclusion and diversity will encourage students to pursue these ideals in an environment where i) students can be themselves; ii) students are exposed to and challenged by a broad range of perspectives; and iii) students can develop val- ues of respect, integrity, compassion, and a commitment to social responsibility” – has guided the committee’s action since. Last fall, 15 faculty and staff volunteered to partici- pate on a new Task Force for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; the task force’s purpose is to further DEI work on campus. “The understanding that everyone is equally yoked and has a seat at the table is essential to cultural competency for all members of our community,” said Doreen Johnson, a member of the Middle School faculty who is co-chairing the task force with Upper School fac- ulty member Jeannine Lehr. “We have a responsibility to our children and to our community to live our mission.” RE’s student Diversity Council remains active and includes seven student members, and the Upper School includes several student clubs that provide safe spaces for students: the Black Student Association, the Jewish Student Association, the Gender and Sexuality Association and Christian Student Association. In the classroom itself, part of the instructional DNA of RE’s school curriculum is discussion-based learning, known as the Harkness method, which favors inclusion. “The idea is really to have an inclusive discussion where you can say whatever you think in a respectful way around the table,” said Oberstein-Harris, the daugh- ter of a former RE Romance Languages teacher who began serving on RE’s alumni board even before she had completed her studies at Harvard and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “Based on your own BSAToday In its 30th year at Ransom Everglades, the Black Student Association strives to promote black culture and history on campus, help the black community and give black RE students a safe space to share ideas openly. The 2018-19 club is led by president Greg Estime ’19 (seated, third from right), vice president Diego Duckenfield ’20 (seated, second from right), treasurer Maximilian Bolzan ’19 (standing, second from left) and secretary Emilia Decker ’20 (seated, far right). Also pictured: Erica McKinney ’89 (member of inaugural BSA in 1988-89, standing, second from right), Megan Diston ’21 (standing, far right), Kierra Andrews ’20 (standing, third from right) and faculty advisors Danielle Ellis (seated, far left) and Blair Betts (standing, far left). Several members are not pictured.