Respecting Differences Day Examples

4th grade: Library Seminar room

The Fourth grade will view “That’s a Family!” an award -winning documentary about a variety of family constellations and relationships. Children in this film speak candidly about "What it’s like to grow up in a family with parents of different races or religions, divorced parents, a single parent, gay or lesbian parents, adoptive parents or grandparents as guardians." The viewing will be followed by a discussion with fourth grade advisors.

5th grade: Jafari Library

The fifth grade will view the award-winning documentary, “Sticks & Stones”, which addresses the harmful effects of using derogatory language regarding a person’s sexual orientation. After viewing the film, boys the grade will engage in discussions in their advisor groups on this topic. 

Middle School: Ward hall

Middle School students will dialogue with speakers from Speakout, a non-profit organization which "seeks to create a world free of homo-bi-trans-phobia and other forms of prejudice by telling the truths of people’s lives." For many years we have had the opportunity to hear insightful, emotional and powerful stories from members of this organization. I personally look forward to their presentations each year.        

Upper School: MMR

“The story of my coming out” is the topic of this term’s upper school RDD presentation.  A member of our Fenn community will tell a personal story of self -discovery and identity, and engage our students in a discussion that would invite the use of our core values- Courage, honesty, empathy and respect. An important object of this exercise is to underline the fact that we are all important parts of one thread -the human strand. I hope all available upper school faculty will be present to help make this presentation a success.