January 18, 2019
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Taft is a complex place. We have 606 students, 129 faculty members, and, of course, parents and guardians. Each of these individuals contribute to the whole of the community. Our challenge, all the time and every day, is to take this group of individuals — honoring what they each bring to the community and what is important to each of them — and create a coherent and functional community.
On the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this is an appropriate time for us to reflect on the
Taft Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
. A committee of faculty members spent considerable time last year developing this statement and it contains important sensibilities about how Taft does the work of honoring individuals and creating community. Of particular note is the portion of the statement that reads , “
community members commit to participate in and support ongoing equity and inclusion programming through curricular and co-curricular offerings, professional development, residential life, and local and global partnerships.” The activities during and around Martin Luther King Jr. Day — World Fest, discussions of case studies, and speaker
Dr. Christopher Petrella from the
Anti-Racism Center
at American University
— are part of our work to continually grow and improve as a community, to be more inclusive, and to encourage our community members to be themselves and contribute fully to the community.
Consider the final line of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement: “While at Taft and beyond, community members commit to affirm and honor the lived experiences of others, to willingly challenge inherited beliefs and ideologies, and consequently learn, grow, and serve.” What we learn on Martin Luther King Jr. Day is no different than the work of creating a safe and functional community for all, every day of the year. We appreciate your support of all of our students and the goals and values of our community.
As ever, if you have questions or feedback about any of this, please let me know. Thank you for being part of this good work of aiding these adolescents grow into successful adults. Have a great day.
All the best,
