About

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Palmer Trinity School embraces the Episcopal Church's commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice and equity. As such, we strive to respect the dignity of every human being, embracing how we differ from one another while also affirming our shared humanity.

In embracing our diversity, we step away from blind judgment and deepen our understanding of the world around us. In emphasizing our common humanity, we remind ourselves that shared purpose is essential for building community. Together, these tenets push us to act with patience, compassion, and integrity as we develop our students into well-informed, thinking, empathetic global citizens who will lead with love.

Truly exploring our individual and shared humanity requires a culture of inclusion, where all members of our community feel safe, seen, and respected regarding all aspects of their identity. Developing a culture of inclusion requires oversight and intentionality, which is why the school has appointed a DEI Team of coordinators to build and manage curricula, awareness campaigns, affinity groups, and resources in response to the ever-changing needs of our dynamic community. The current scope of these initiatives is detailed below. In addition, we invite students and parents to reach out to our DEI coordinators to ask for additional support and articulate emerging needs.

Mosaic is an inclusivity curriculum integrated into the Advisory program in grades 6th through 12th, which aims to raise awareness of and affirmation of identity by discussing diversity and inclusion. The goal of Mosaic is to promote the holistic safety of each individual in our educational community through a series of age-appropriate and relevant lesson plans that are co-created by both faculty and student leaders. Teams of advisors and student facilitators from our Diversity Peer Educator Program run these lessons. Discussion and reflection on topics promote a deeper understanding of the multiple dimensions of human diversity, foster a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusivity in our school community, and launch global citizens.

Palmer Trinity observes a series of awareness months throughout the year through Instagram posts, email blasts, posters, and convocations. Please visit the Resource Board by going behind the password at MyPTS login for the DEI Mosaic Schedule, DEI Awareness Month Schedule and the DEI Convocation Schedule.

Student Organizations and Leadership Initiatives

Except for the Diversity Peer Educator Program, students have founded and run all of the following organizations and initiatives (with support from the Student Activities Director and the individual organization's faculty sponsor).

List of 5 items.

Black Student Union
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The Black Student Union (BSU) is an affinity group for Black students and their allies.
Upper School Social Justice Club
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Founded by students in the 2020-2021 school year, the Upper School Social Justice Club meets monthly to discuss topics of interest to its members. Club members also host lunchtime awareness campaigns and explore other options for civic engagement.
Pride Coalition
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The Pride Coalition is an affinity group for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their allies.
Student Diversity Leadership Conference
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Ran by the NAIS, the SDLC is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of upper school student leaders (grades 9-12) from across the U.S. and abroad. SDLC focuses on self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community. Led by a diverse team of trained adult and peer facilitators, participating students develop cross-cultural communication skills, design effective strategies for social justice practice through dialogue and the arts, and learn the foundations of allyship and networking principles. In addition to large group sessions, SDLC "family groups" and "home groups" allow dialogue and sharing in smaller units. PTS applies for the SDLC lottery every year and sends six students to the conference if selected. In January, students who attend present speeches on their experiences to the student body. Interested students can apply for the conference in May and receive notification in September.
Diversity Peer Educator Program
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Over 70 students strong, the Diversity Peer Educator Program provides students with the opportunity to lead by teaching lessons and facilitating discussions through Mosaic (the DEI curriculum runs through PTS's advisory program). Student facilitators receive training in advance of each lesson and are supported in their work by the DEI coordinators and the faculty advisors to which they are assigned. Interested students can apply to serve as facilitators in May and receive notification shortly afterward.

- Aldo Regalado
  
  DEI Co-Coordinator

Palmer Trinity School's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion runs through its recently published Strategic Plan 2027, which insists that “our students must take their place in an increasingly diverse society prepared to embrace, respect, and understand all perspectives” as “global citizens and compassionate leaders in an ever-changing world.” This vision grows out of the school’s Episcopal Mission and Philosophy, which commits us to “providing a supportive, inclusive environment for students … with a range of academic interests” and “diverse ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.”

The strategic initiatives related to Community most clearly articulate the school’s DEI direction going forward by committing to “utilize data from the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Audit to ensure the quality of school life” and to “implement feedback from the Belonging Survey to refine the Mosaic program.”