Barrie School - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity Statement

Diversity is one of Barrie School's fundamental core values. We honor and celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and embrace each person’s beliefs, experiences, values, and perspectives in support of our inclusive and welcoming community. Barrie School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring and other school-administered programs.

Barrie School’s student body reflects the cultural and economic diversity of our region. Many students live in Silver Spring and surrounding communities, while others commute from Washington DC and various neighborhoods throughout the greater DC area.

2023-24 Initiatives

The Summit for Social Justice - April 22, 2024

Middle School Workshops

Equity vs. Equality
Allyship: Embracing Diversity in a World of -isms and -phobias

Equity vs. Equality

Allyship: Embracing Diversity in a World of -isms and -phobias

Upper School Workshops

Unscripted: Unpacking Masculinity through the Power of Storytelling

LGBTQIA+ Workshop

Mind Matters, Every Day!

Research shows that the current generation of high schoolers across the nation is the most diverse in history, and that mental well-being in youth has been on a steady decline. Having spaces that support inclusion and belonging is critical to one’s development and mental health. Through interactive case-based examples and large group discussion with its participants, this workshop will explore strategies to enhance mental well-being and emotional resilience. The environmental impacts of academics, social media, and peer relationships on mental health in youth will also be reviewed.

Where are all the Doctors? Beyond Legislative Solutions to Dobbs

Stonewalled: What's Race Got to Do with It?

Mixed Age Workshops

Identity Icebergs

Food Justice and the Environment

Youth Empowerment and Advocacy

Students in this session will split into groups and talk about issues in their communities that they would like to see addressed. Students will select 2–3 issues and propose how and why they would like to see the issue addressed. They will learn more about how to create change in local government and take on positions of leadership, as well as the importance of a racial equity & social justice framework.

Social Media and Advocacy in a Polarized Age

Do political social media posts actually help to get legislation passed? Does posting a black square actually raise awareness? Can social media actually effect change? This workshop seeks to engage with these and other questions central to the Information Age. Within an hour, we’ll learn about the ways that social media has helped and hurt important national and global causes. At the same time, we’ll also learn ways to leverage social media as a force for good.

Memory, Art, and Everyday Life

In this workshop, we will use artwork to express the details of the places we spend time. First, we will look at several art pieces that show different everyday life environments, from Haiti, to Nigeria, to rural Pennsylvania. We'll learn a bit about the artists and their journeys to fame. Next, we will explore memories of places that are familiar to us through quiet, reflective journaling. Students will then have the opportunity to create a piece of art about one of those places. They'll be challenged to convey not just what it looks like, but the sounds, smells, and feel of the place. They can draw, paint, or collage, use mixed media; their choice. Finally, we will share the art pieces with our group in order to celebrate the diversity among our remembered environments.

Campus Cleanup and Preventing the Tragedy of the Commons

In his 2001 essay, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” ecologist Garrett Hardin notes that “we can never do nothing” when it comes to protecting our natural resources. Taking up that call to action, to do something, we will spend time together cleaning up our campus so that we can prevent the tragedy of the commons — the destruction of our environment — from taking place at Barrie School.

"The Digest"

“Dig into DEI”

A new initiative out of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, this provides an opportunity for Barrie School adults (parents and stepparents, guardians and caregivers) to come together for food and fellowship, with each month discussing a new book—or film, or podcast of note—that centers on an idea, story, or topic central to the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion both at Barrie School and beyond.

DEI Resources

Talking to your children about race and racial incidents

Phrases and Comments to aid in conversation about race that is from a social justice perspective.
100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child to Advance Racial Justice
Experts in child psychology explain How Parents Can Begin Conversations About Racial Violence and Police Brutality
Table Talk Guide from ADL.org that specifically provides context and discussion questions related to the current events around George Floyd that can help you structure a conversation. Suitable for Grade 5 and above. May be a bit too complicated for younger children, but could be adapted.
A Story of one Kindergarten Teacher's Work at Addressing Race and Racism throughout a School Year

Racism and Health

Talking to Children about Racism: The Time is Now, written by pediatricians Dr. Heard-Garris and Dr. Dougé

The Child Mind Institute: Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News

Center for Racial Justice in Education: Resources for Talking about Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids

Colorlines: The Dos and Dont’s of Talking to Kids About White Supremacy

Safe Space Radio: Talking to White Kids about Race and Racism

Resource list by Grade Level from the Oakland Public Library: Talking to Kids About Racism and Justice

Books for All Ages

A List of 31 Children's Books that support conversations about race, racism, and resistance.
Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children's Books
Resources for a Time Such as This
Bibliography of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Books with International Standard Book Number (ISBN), and separated by age groups: Toddler, Primary, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Professional

Rainbow Families

Barrie named "Best Private School, 3rd year in a row!

Washington Blade Magazine awarded Barrie "Best Private School" in the publication's 2023 Best of LGBTQ DC contest for the third year in a row. The Washington Blade, an award-winning news source with a large following in print and online, has been covering the LGBT community since 1969.

Contact Us!

We're happy to answer any questions you may have.

Denny Gonzalez

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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