Inclusivity @ Hewitt

Hewitt empowers and expects our community members to embrace multiple points of view, to engage others with empathy and integrity, and to champion equity and justice in all areas of our lives.
–Inclusivity Statement approved by the Hewitt Board of Trustees, November 2012

Microaggressions Workshop
Teachers are engaged in ongoing discussions about microaggressions, everyday exchanges involving subtle racism, sexism and heterosexism. Teachers continuously examine and address instances of microaggressions observed in their classrooms. Recognizing microaggressions and brainstorming ways to help students talk through these incidents continue to be an area of focus for the upcoming school year.

From Diversity to Community Conference
Hewitt is part of a contingent of New York City independent schools that sends a delegation to this conference hosted by The Dalton School. A group of eighteen faculty members, administrators, parents, students and alumnae attend. The delegation participates in group discussions on inclusivity and community building and shares best practices.

Diversity Educators Council (DEC)
All administration, faculty and staff are invited to be a part of the Diversity Educators Council at Hewitt. The DEC spearheads all-school inclusivity efforts.

The Hewitt Circle
The Hewitt Circle is comprised of Hewitt families who are interested in supporting inclusivity efforts within the school.  The group is parent-led and plans panel discussions, guest speakers, movie nights and community gatherings for the whole school community.

Setting Goals
The school’s inclusivity efforts are coordinated by Derrick Gay, an educational consultant. Mr. Gay works with members of the Hewitt community to address issues of inclusivity and to set goals for the school.

ACTION Club
A student-run group that organizes activities concerning issues of social justice and equality. The Club plays an instrumental role in planning the school’s TEDxYouth conference each fall and the school’s Diversity in Thought Day each spring. For more information about TEDxYouth Day@Hewitt, visit http://www.tedxyouthathewitt.org/

Diversity in Thought Day
Diversity in Thought Day is an annual event for grades 8-12 that focuses on a particular theme related to inclusivity. Recently, Hewitt hosted Urban Word NYC to facilitate lessons about and performances of spoken work centering on the theme of social justice.