Diversity Statement

Guided by the Quaker belief in the light within each person, we seek to create an engaged and diverse community of people from different backgrounds, identities, beliefs, and circumstances.

We value the shared wisdom that individual and cultural differences and perspectives bring, and we strive to build a community in which each person belongs, is known, and is valued.

We believe that learning and playing in a diverse school community enriches our shared experience and prepares our students for lives of purpose in a diverse world.

FSP Statement on Anti-racism

Query:

How do our lives speak as educators, seekers, mentors, and colleagues in our work of responding to injustice? How do we transform reflection into the concrete action needed to dismantle systemic racism? How do we sustain an active and vigilant engagement with the work of anti-racism, seeking to enable a community more open to all, more aware of its complicity in racism, and more equitable in its practices?

The work of dismantling racism is ongoing and cannot be satisfied with statements of intent. Asking ourselves how the Friends School of Portland community is working to become an anti-racist institution is a critical query that must guide real and daily change in ourselves, our policies, and our practices. As a Friends school dedicated to testimonies of equality, peace, and integrity, we are, at each moment, called to answer to injustice. As a predominantly white institution of privilege, the work of dismantling white supremacy is our work. We must shine a light on the systemic racial inequalities which exist in our world as well as on the biases we carry within ourselves

We commit to an ongoing cycle of inquiry-reflection-action that will move us forward in our work toward diversity, equity, and inclusion, but also toward active anti-racism — in our teaching and learning, in our policies and practices, and in our culture and community. We call on our community to join us in this difficult, necessary, transformative work.

Racial Justice Accountability Group

This is a mixed-constituency, multi-racial group that meets with the head of school regularly throughout the school year. Clerked by the head of school, the mission of the R.J.A.G. is to keep channels of communication open between administration, parents, and teachers when it comes to areas of progress, areas of block, incidents or discouragements, signs of hope, need for further study, and ideas for change. Examples of topics discussed could include: ways of talking to your child about race in an age-appropriate way, or facing a moment where a racial microaggression happened with your child present and you didn't know what to do.

Parents interested in joining should reach out to Head of School, Sara Primo, directly.