8--Parent+Diversity+Interview

Parent Diversity Interview on Monday, December 5th with Paula Simon, Jennifer Mera and Valerie Achoa

Believes that Community Sevice, Service Learning, Diversity and Parent Engagement is core to King.

__**Strengths**__

__**Weaknesses**__ __**Threats**__
 * As a community that students practice self-respect. Shared that the US enforces responsive decision making.
 * Bobby Walker a true asset to the King community. Engages parents and fosters a cross sharing of information. Makes parent community feel welcome.
 * Bobby Walker, upstanding man who accepts the challenges of race education.
 * MS Advisory groups actively engaged in service learning, diversity and outreach. Leadership from the top in place.
 * Curriculum is not reflective of diversity. Disconnect with global studies and feel that Global Studies must fall under Community Affairs Office. That this should be a shared vision.
 * Financial Aid is connected to achieving diversity in Lower School. Feel there is some skewed bias of what and how our few students of color in the Lower school are accepted.
 * Community feeling not reflective of new mission statement. Reference to the McDonough School in Maryland, whose statement speaks of "we". Feel we don't live the "we" thing. Mission statement not inclusive; should speak of "our" commitment
 * Admissions sentiment that it is hard to find good talent. Perception that we don't actively seek families of color and provide the arena to attract. Feel that we only accept those that can pay.
 * Lower school - multicultural opportunities not in place. Sense a resistance from faculty to go beyond their respective duties. Lack of history in the lower school.
 * Lower School lacks vision to to celebrate differences across the spectrum
 * Holiday Concerts, although getting better does not embrace diversity.
 * Classrooms do not reflect diversity
 * Lack of faculty of color in Lower School and Upper School. Only one Division Head of Color.
 * Retention of faculty of color in the Upper School
 * Textbooks and media center not diverse across the divisions

__**Opportunities**__
 * Referred to invitation to Cambodian Dancers to Upper School. Parents were asked last minute to host 30 plus dancers for several days. Lack of communication to fulfill this request. As a result guests felt they were not welcome. When it was time for dancers to leave, they were left in front of the middle school for two hours for a ride to airport. Feel we don't "walk the walk". Parents felt used and embarrassed.
 * Diversity events not sent out equally ie, academics and sports
 * Message of inclusion not personalized. Who do we really want to be? Who are we? Perception of what's in place needs clarity and commitment

Added comments from Paula Simon on December 7th, 2011
 * Start to catch up and establish a cross purpose. Infuse academics with the intent of achieving diversity
 * Top down commitment
 * Professional assessment of the community
 * Faculty training
 * Fix the negative perceptions

"In the future that King teaches civility and respect and diversity awareness. One class in each division. Then all the work of the Diversity Committee and Service Learning groups, all the special events and speakers and movies that are brought to King would have context in the curriculum. The students would be learning civility and respect for all at a deeper level;required just like sports."