Faith & Service > Diversity & Inclusion
Celebrating Our Similarities and Differences
Saint Mark’s is a place where people of all faiths, traditions and background are welcomed, and where every person’s dignity is respected. We believe that honoring diversity means embracing both the visible and invisible differences among individuals including but not limited to; race, culture, religion, socioeconomic status, physical ability, family composition, sex, sexual orientation or gender orientation. Diversity and inclusion are essential to a well-rounded education that promotes intellectual curiosity, academic excellence and moral growth.
We offer students an opportunity to know a better world …
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Shaping critical thinkers
By challenging students in this way, we help them grow into leaders who think critically, collaborate effectively and value others.
As an Episcopal school, we focus on the Christian tradition, but we also celebrate the Jewish tradition, Native American spirituality, the lived experience of persons with disabilities, the lived experience of veterans, Hispanic Heritage Month, and African American History month.
Cultural Celebrations
Throughout the year, Saint Mark’s hosts special celebrations for different cultures. These events can take place campus-wide, in the classroom or can be guest speakers in Chapel.
Holiday Traditions around the World
In 1st grade, students go around the world on a six-week mini-unit for social studies. Students learn about sixteen different countries, their holiday traditions and culture. They research and follow a National Geographic series on the countries. Map location, flag, climate, traditional cuisine, and language are studied. They even design and decorate a doll based on traditional clothing. This culminates in a student showcase with performances of holiday songs and shared traditional foods from their countries.
Day of the Dead
Our Middle School students learn how this observance ties in with concepts belonging to the human condition such as life and death and honoring those who have come before us. In our Spanish class, students construct Ofrendas (shadow boxes) in remembrance of a family member who has passed away, displaying mementos and pictures of that person. Students reflect with happiness and gratitude for time shared with their loved ones. Saint Mark’s embraces this Spanish tradition as a wonderful way to learn about your own family history while gaining knowledge about a different culture.
Diversity Committee
The Diversity Committee’s mission is to bring people together to communicate and collaborate in initiatives and events that support an environment of diversity and inclusion. The Diversity Committee includes teachers, faculty, students and parents.
Mix it Up Day
Mix it Up Day is a nationwide initiative to encourage middle school students to meet new people. Saint Mark’s marks the day by dividing our sixth – eighth graders into teams that competed in a Jeopardy-style game during lunch. These “mixed up” groups had to work together to answer questions in different categories.
France to Chinese New Year
At Saint Mark’s we embrace and celebrate all cultures! From France to Chinese New Year, we decorate, share in traditional foods, learn new words in these languages and play trivia games too!
