St. Margaret’s Episcopal School | Cultural Competency News

St. Margaret’s Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month With Narratives, Education and Celebrations

5/26/2023

AAPI Heritage Month celebrates the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States.

Educators and Students Convene at St. Margaret’s for Asian Educators Alliance Conference

4/19/2023

The national conference brought 180 educators and students to San Juan Capistrano for two days of workshops, speakers and community.

TIDE Student Leaders Share Perspectives in Insightful Panel for Parent Community

2/2/2023

The Upper School’s TIDE student leadership group invited parents from all divisions to an insightful, engaging and inspiring discussion of their perspectives and experiences.

St. Margaret’s School Leaders Share Insights on Data and DEI Work at National Conference

1/30/2023

Dr. Graham and Mr. Cota shared their experiences leading St. Margaret’s meaningful use of data in approaching DEI work at the 2nd annual INDEX DEI Conference.

St. Margaret’s Celebrates Lunar New Year With Activities and Education—See the Photos!

1/26/2023

St. Margaret’s celebrated and recognized Lunar New Year this week with activities including Chapel homilies, playground games and educational touchpoints.

Large Tartan Delegation Attends NAIS People of Color Conference to Advance DEI Work

12/7/2022

The Tartan delegation consisted of six Upper School students and 17 adults which included administrators, teachers from every division, school counselors, deans and hosted program leadership.

Educational Leaders From Across the Nation Convene at St. Margaret’s for Professional Development and Collaboration

11/18/2022

St. Margaret’s welcomed nearly 100 educational leaders from around the nation for the Breakthrough Collaborative National Conference, which took place on campus over two days.

St. Margaret’s Welcomes Guest Presenter as Part of Native American Heritage Month

11/8/2022

Ms. Nuñez told students about the Acjachemen people through stories and song, introducing tools, instruments and clothing and even demonstrating the weaving of a basket while presenting.

Grade 6 Students Explore Their Heritage and Enjoy a Feast in Interdisciplinary Unit

10/13/2022

The interdisciplinary project started in 2017, and it's proven to be a popular community-building unit for students to learn more about their family history and the stories of their fellow Tartans.

St. Margaret’s Delegation Attends Pollyanna Conference Focused on DEI Work

9/21/2022

A St. Margaret’s delegation of administration, trustees, faculty, students, alumni and parents together attended the Pollyanna Conference, an interactive day focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

St. Margaret’s Celebrates Nowruz with Traditional Activities, Haft-Seen Arrangements and Treats

3/23/2022

The holiday is also known as the Persian New Year, and the history and traditions of the holiday were shared with the St. Margaret’s community this week.

TIDE and Upper School Affinity Group Lead Student Celebration of Black History Month

2/18/2022

St. Margaret’s Upper School students celebrated Black History Month through a variety of educational touchpoints, fundraisers and more.

Native American Artifacts Exhibit Brings New Cultural Learning Opportunity to Tartans

2/10/2022

The exhibit is an effort to celebrate and honor the Native American people and community, and is a joint collaboration between the Upper School TIDE student leadership group and the Windes family.

St. Margaret’s Celebrates Lunar New Year With Crafts, Games and Educational Opportunities

2/2/2022

The Lunar New Year brought a day of celebration and education in the Lower School and beyond.

Upper School Recognizes International Holocaust Remembrance Day During Chapel

1/28/2022

International Holocaust Remembrance Day was designated for January 27 by The United Nations General Assembly as an annual day of commemoration to honor the victims of the Holocaust.

Language and Culture Week Fills Upper School With Celebrations and Education

1/27/2022

The activities and educational opportunities were organized by the world languages department with contributions from many other members of the St. Margaret’s community.

US Students Nurture Connection, Belonging and Well-Being in New Groups Around Shared Identity

12/13/2021

The optional, student-driven, student-led groups were introduced this fall after a two-year St. Margaret’s innovation strategy design process.

St. Margaret’s TIDE Leadership Group Leads Celebration of Diwali in Upper School

11/4/2021

The Upper School student leadership group celebrated the festive holiday in both Advisory and Chapel.

PHOTOS: Upper School Spanish Classes Celebrate and Participate in Día de los Muertos

10/29/2021

Upper School Spanish classes at St. Margaret’s have long celebrated Día de los Muertos and learned more about the holiday’s significance.

Three Priorities of Focus Continue to Advance DEI at SMES for 2021-2022 Year

10/22/2021

St. Margaret's is moving forward with three priority areas of focus for diversity, equity and inclusion this year in health and well-being, cultural competency and community.

New Upper School Electives Engage Students in Astronomy, Computer Science, U.S. History and More

9/3/2021

Several new electives are offered to Upper School students this year, as the St. Margaret’s curriculum naturally evolves based on student need, student interest and faculty expertise.

Upper School Celebrates Pride Week Through Educational Panels and Fundraisers

4/23/2021

St. Margaret’s Upper School recognized Pride Week this week through fundraising, educational panels and participation in an opt-in National Day of Silence.

SMES Alumnus Leads Grade 6 Students Through Exploration of Native American Spirituality Traditions

4/5/2021

The lesson, led by Brayden Windes '20, touched on impactful topics around Native American spirituality and mindfulness.

St. Margaret’s TIDE Leadership Group Leads Black History Month Celebration

2/26/2021

The activities included a panel discussion with Upper School senior Kaelyn Dunnell and head football coach Kory Minor, moderated by Director of Equity and Inclusion Victor Cota.

St. Margaret’s Marks Lunar New Year With Crafts, Celebrations and Storytelling

2/19/2021

Students celebrated the Lunar New Year last week with fun activities and delicious food to ring in the year of the ox.

‘Let Our Life Be a Lighthouse’ –PTF Parent Up Speaker Steve Pemberton Shares Inspiring Story

1/27/2021

It was a moving presentation that was part a reflection of identity, a call for service and an inspiring personal story of resilience,

Upper School Shifts History Curriculum, Developing New Electives Based on Student Interest

1/22/2021

United States history will move to grade 10 and the Upper School will expand student access to more electives,

St. Margaret’s Students Honor and Reflect on the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

1/15/2021

St. Margaret’s students dedicated time in Chapel this week to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on his work.

Professional Community Devotes In-Service Day to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Symposium

10/30/2020

The symposium was organized by St. Margaret’s 52-member Equity Team, led by Director of Equity and Inclusion Victor Cota.

St. Margaret’s Unveils Updated Core Values Language for School Community

10/16/2020

St. Margaret’s Board of Trustees concluded a year-long review of the school’s guiding principles last week, finalizing and unanimously approving updated language to the school’s Core Values.

Highlander Excerpt: Equity and Inclusion as a St. Margaret’s Core Value

10/15/2020

Equity and Inclusion joined four other St. Margaret’s Core Values —Character, Community, Balance and Breadth, and High Expectations—in the Fall of 2019 to act as a guidepost for the future of St. Margaret's and all Tartans.

PTF Parent Up Speaker Series Begins 2020-2021 With Dr. Dolly Chugh and the Psychology of Good People

10/9/2020

Dr. Chugh discussed growth mindset as a tool to fight bias in presentations to the parent community and the Upper School.

Upper School Dance Students Expressing Pain and Hardship of 2020 Through Performance

10/1/2020

The Upper School dance classes have integrated some of the most difficult topics of 2020, such as social justice and the lasting impact of COVID-19, into the program’s in-person and remote-learning curriculum.

Head Football Coach Kory Minor Shares His Perspective on George Floyd and the Nation’s Summer of Racial Justice Reckoning

9/11/2020

In his role, Coach Minor is willing to use his platform as an educator and coach to share his voice in the conversation and shine a light in a personal way on the experience of racial injustice.

St. Margaret’s Message to Alumni and All Community Members

6/19/2020

Message and Resources on Racial Equity and Antiracism

6/5/2020

A message from Director of Equity and Inclusion Victor Cota.

Message From Head of School Will Moseley

6/1/2020

Grade 2 Students Learn About Immigration and Identity in Library Unit

5/14/2020

Grade 2 students have explored identity, immigration and family traditions in a library unit that led to meaningful discussions with relatives.

Students Examine 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act in New History Class

2/27/2020

Upper School students examined the legislation through creative projects, interactions with notable authors and thought-provoking discussion.

Lower School Students Learning in New Ways With Enrichment Programs During Parent-Teacher Conferences

2/7/2020

The enrichment programming creates new learning avenues for students while also creating time for teachers to meet with parents.

Service-Learning Leaders Share Expertise and Innovations at ISEEN Winter Institute

2/6/2020

The three presented on how several of St. Margaret’s service-learning strategic priorities were implemented.

St. Margaret’s Delegation Attends NAIS People of Color Conference to Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work

12/13/2019

St. Margaret’s had a delegation of 15 professional community members and six students at the 2019 National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference and the adjacent NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Seattle.

St. Margaret’s Honors Native American Heritage Month With Pow Wow Dancing and Education

11/26/2019

The Upper School’s TIDE student leadership group organized an educational and engaging program that recognized Native American Heritage Month across all four divisions.

St. Margaret’s Welcomes Equity and Inclusion Expert for Day of Cultural-Competency Work

11/8/2019

Yvonne Adams led two sessions with St. Margaret’s professional community from all divisions, and also met with student leadership groups and school administrators.

PHOTOS: Tartans Celebrate Diwali With Festive Activities in Lower School and Early Childhood School

10/29/2019

St. Margaret’s celebrated Diwali this week with special activities that educated students on the holiday’s significance in India and around the world.

Grade 6 Students Explore Heritage and Throw a Feast in Interdisciplinary Unit

10/23/2019

The unit built public speaking, geography, reading, writing, research and cultural-competency skills, and also helped new Middle School students get to know one another on a deeper level.

St. Margaret’s Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month With Mariachi Band – See Video and Photos!

10/3/2019

The band’s appearance was organized by students in the Upper School’s Tartan Inclusion and Diversity Education (TIDE) group.

Strategic Plan Year 3 Update: 2018-2019 Achievements and Exciting Next Steps

6/7/2019

Now in its third full year of implementation, the Strategic Plan remains alive as ever and is driven by the engagement and creativity of the professional community.

World Dance Master Class Series Introduces Cultures and Styles

5/10/2019

The classes introduce students to new dance forms and the cultures that inspire them.

PHOTOS: Tartans Celebrate World Languages and Cultures

2/8/2019

The events featured activities and education around the diverse ethnic backgrounds of students, faculty and staff.

St. Margaret’s Delegation Attends Pollyanna Conference Focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

2/7/2019

The goal of the conference is to improve inclusion within schools and the understanding that racial, socioeconomic, religious and sexual diversity enhances all elements of the school.

Healthy State of St. Margaret’s Focusing on Innovation, Student Growth and Wellness

1/25/2019

A detailed presentation spotlighted the school’s finances, academic program, strategic initiatives and school management during the 2019 State of the School Address for parents.

St. Margaret’s Teams Up With Harlem Lacrosse for Skills-Building and Friendship-Building Clinic

1/9/2019

St. Margaret’s girls lacrosse team hosted 28 student-athletes from the Los Angeles chapter of Harlem Lacrosse to campus for a skills-building clinic that forged friendships through the sport.

Large St. Margaret’s Delegation Attends NAIS People of Color Conference

12/7/2018

Faculty, staff and students attended workshops and presentations around cultural-competency work, while Victor Cota and Alex Serna presented at the national conference.

VIDEO: Grade 6 Explores Heritage in Interdisciplinary Unit

10/10/2018

Grade 6 world history and writing students worked on an interdisciplinary “Heritage Cookbook Project” that explored geographical roots and family history and concluded with a multicultural feast using special family recipes.

Service Learning Undergoes Paradigm Shift in Upper School

9/21/2018

Grade 9 students embarked on a revamped service learning requirement in the Upper School this month, designed to deepen empathy, connections and the impact of their service.

St. Margaret’s Has Strong Presence at NAIS People of Color Conference

12/14/2017

In all, nearly 20 members of the St. Margaret's community participated through presenting, planning, facilitating or attending.

Scholar in Residence Rosetta Lee Spends Week at St. Margaret’s to Highlight Cultural Competency

3/17/2017

Rosetta Lee engaged with constituencies across the St. Margaret’s community during her stay, meeting with students, parents, faculty/staff, administrators and the Board of Trustees.

St. Margaret’s Leaders Present at NAIS Conference on Cultural Competency

3/10/2017

The team shared how St. Margaret’s cultural competency work is present in multiple aspects of the Tartan experience.

What’s In A Name? Students Engage in Cultural Competency Skill Building

2/10/2017

Students will have the opportunity to share the story of their names, including the proper pronunciation, as part of Literacy Day.

SMES Develops Cultural Competency Skills with National Diversity Expert

3/31/2016

National diversity expert and thought leader Robert Greene of Jones Consulting spent time with parents, students and administrators during a day-long series of workshops intended to foster understanding around cultural competency.

A Celebration of Culture, Heritage and Traditions

3/17/2016

St. Margaret’s students, faculty and staff came together for a celebration of culture, heritage and traditions during Language and Culture Day. Led by the school’s world language department and Department Chair Marta Austin, Middle and Upper School students participated in various activities supporting the inclusivity of the St. Margaret's community.

Study and Conversations on Cultural Competency

11/5/2015

Much like math, reading and writing, St. Margaret’s educators believe that developing cultural competency in our students is essential for their futures. Last week, St. Margaret’s engaged cultural competency thought-leader Robert Greene to work with Middle and Upper School students, faculty and staff.

Welcome Home, Tartans! SMES Starts 2015-2016 School Year

8/27/2015

“Welcome back and welcome home, Tartans!” Head of School William N. Moseley commenced the 2015-2016 school year with this greeting to new and returning Tartans at the All-School Opening Ceremony on Wednesday. St. Margaret’s kicked off its 36th school year with a total enrollment of 1,246 students, 169 new students, 80 new families and 21 new faculty and staff members.

Students Foster a Safe, Inclusive Community

5/8/2014

By Zack Venable, Grade 11

Led by Upper School student club The Alliance, many Upper School students voluntarily participated in the National Day of Silence last month along with more than 8,000 schools across the country.

TIDE Attends Wildwood School’s 9th Annual Multicultural Symposium

3/18/2014

By Karen Poffenberger, Upper School Art Teacher

Earlier this month, St. Margaret's TIDE members attended Wildwood School’s 9th Annual Multicultural Symposium, a daylong, annual event for grade 7-12 students from across Los Angeles. This year’s symposium included professional and student performances and more than 40 breakout sessions.

St. Margaret’s Commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month

10/10/2013

By Karen Poffenberger, Upper School Arts Teacher and TIDE Advisor

This month marks Hispanic Heritage Month and sees the efforts of St. Margaret's Upper School leadership group TIDE begin to flourish. TIDE (Tartan Inclusivity and Diversity Education) is comprised of 12 Upper School students from a variety of racial and ethnically diverse backgrounds, ages and genders.

Upper School Students Develop Leadership and Build Inclusive School Community

10/10/2013

Nearly 100 Upper School student leaders recently gathered on a Saturday to participate in a day-long leadership development workshop with a focus on building an inclusive school community. Representatives from the five campus leadership groups actively engaged in learning about leadership models and developing skills to shape a campus culture that makes all members of the Upper School community feel welcome.

Cultural Competency News

List of 68 news stories.