Equity and Justice

A Community That Fosters Belonging  

The de Paul School is committed to everyone being known, understood, and liked. We expect each community member – no matter our position or function – to play an active role in creating a sense of belonging for everyone in our school community. This can only be accomplished when we recognize diversity as a cherished quality of our school and our world. Variety makes communities stronger, more interesting, and more insightful. Differences give us a way to understand the world better and to see it through various perspectives, a foundational skill in critical thinking and compassion. By valuing differences, we learn to be wise global citizens, uniting around what we have in common, instead of dividing ourselves through fear or the unknown.

Our school will consistently teach in support of everyone’s dignity and right to equality, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity or expression, appearance, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.

The de Paul School’s vision statement includes the aspiration that our students will be tomorrow’s leaders and healers for our community and beyond. To prepare for these roles, our students need experiences of diversity, inclusion, self-examination, and respectful dialogue. They need to hone their skills in listening and understanding others’ viewpoints and experiences. They need to experience their life-changing capacity for compassion. Along this journey, our school’s Core Values of dignity, respect, restoration, high expectations, and compassion serve as proven guideposts.

Toward that end, we commit to these actions:

Our Personal and Social Success classes will continue to develop peace-making and conflict resolution skills, while creating a safe space for students to make sense of what they are hearing and seeing in their world. Dignity, understanding, affirmation, and security will be emphasized. 
History, Civics, and other courses will increase their connections between their topics and issues of diversity, equity, individuality, and justice. 
As students try to make sense of what they see and hear outside of school, they may say things that offend or hurt others. We will continue to treat these situations as restorative teaching opportunities that deepen compassion for others and strengthen our community.

We will expand upon the excellent work our librarians have done to feature resources which teach about many different aspects of diversity.

Our Board and Administration will expand initiatives which help our families overcome barriers related to accessibility and affordability. 
Faculty and Staff will resume professional development in areas of diversity, inclusion, and understanding.

Members of our Faculty and Staff will participate within community discussion groups and task forces which identify solutions for peace, justice, and equity throughout Metro Louisville.

Peace to Each of You  and All of Us!

The de Paul School Board, Faculty, and Staff