June 16, 2020 MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Merion Mercy Community,
The last two weeks have been committed to listening, learning and reflecting as we have read emails and social media posts from current students, their families, and alumnae. I have listened to painful stories and experiences and although it was difficult, as the new Head of School, it is critical that I am fully aware of the anger, hurt and frustration that many of our Black students, as well as other students of color, have experienced during their years at Merion. I respect demands for action and resolution and am eager to partner with those who have offered support. At Merion Mercy, Black Lives Matter, and we believe in creating an inclusive Mercy community where each student is accepted on her own terms for what she brings to our community and has an equitable experience.
Last Tuesday, we hosted a virtual meeting with 160+ alumnae to hear their experiences and ideas related to both COVID-19 and racism, and we continue to reach out to our current Black students to offer our support, love and concern. The faculty, staff, Board of Trustees and I will continue to listen and learn as we now dedicate ourselves to developing and implementing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) plan that will result in the systemic change that Merion students and alumnae deserve. We can and will do better. Our goal is to transform our culture to better live our mission to "Live Mercy, Seek Justice."
Our DEI Plan for Action is guided by the "Immersive Assessment of the Climate of Diversity and Inclusion at Merion Mercy Academy" that was conducted by Brown-Gary Associates (BG) in January 2020. I am grateful for students, faculty, staff, parents and alumnae for participating in this climate study. It was important that your voices be heard by a DEI practitioner from outside our community who could develop recommendations based on a policy and procedure review and focused listening. We are in the process of drafting an executive summary, which we will share this summer.
There are a number of pillars in our DEI Plan for Action which we will develop and implement this school year and beyond. We will actively seek input from students, parents and alumnae as we move forward in this important work, and we are committed to working with a DEI practitioner to guide us. I'd like to share major initiatives included in our DEI Plan for Action:
The last few weeks have been pivotal times in our nation's history. We understand the urgency of this moment and the opportunity to dismantle systems of oppression. We have been on a path to expand our DEI work since August; now we must accelerate change—and we will.
While we have much to accomplish, our work on DEI is a central part of our larger strategic planning process in order to strengthen our school for years to come. The overall goal is to continue to listen, educate and bring meaningful change to become part of the solution that aligns with our mission to live mercy and seek justice. Please visit our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website page for more information, continued updates, and dates for future meetings, including a follow up Alumnae Association meeting in early July to continue the conversation on DEI.
We continue to welcome your ideas and partnership as we carry out this mission of mercy at a time when mercy is what is needed the most.
Grateful for your support and participation,
Laura Farrell Head of School 511 Montgomery Avenue • Merion Station • PA • 19066 |