DEI

Task Force and Goals

DEI In Action

In the summer of 2020, Sierra Canyon administrators established the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force in order to further our understanding of the national conversation on racism and strengthen our commitment to anti-bias curriculum, programming, and professional development for the benefit of our students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Goals

 
  • Define areas in daily school life where faculty, staff, students, and parents need more awareness, understanding, and engagement in order to advance the DEI mission and present proposals for change to the Head of School. (Ongoing)

  • Foster a community grounded in equity and inclusion where people of all diverse backgrounds and identities are valued by creating supportive and inclusive spaces and opportunities for all faculty, staff, and students. (Ongoing)

  • Review and revise our Pre-K through 12th Grade curriculum and student programming by assessing where DEI should be enhanced and ensuring that all individuals and identity groups at Sierra Canyon find themselves represented in the curriculum. (Set for completion by the end of summer 2021.)

  • Promote and provide ongoing DEI educational and professional growth opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and parents by means of speakers, workshops, and training. (Ongoing)

  • Commit to hiring a full-time Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as well as recruiting a diverse faculty, staff, and administration and supporting them through professional development and networking opportunities. (Director of DEI has been hired and began her position for the 2021-2022 school year. Additional recruiting, professional development, and networking is ongoing.)

Key Information

List of 1 frequently asked questions.

  • Important Definitions

    Diversity - Plurality of perspectives and differences
    Sierra Canyon values diversity in every aspect of school life. We recognize and respect that all individuals are unique, bringing with them their own personal traits, perspectives and experiences including, but not limited to, ability and health (mental and/or physical), age, ethnicity, family composition, gender, learning style, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. A diverse community built upon mutual respect appreciates and celebrates each other’s differences as well as learns and grows from them.

    Equity - Fairness of treatment and access
    Different from equality, which is the state of being equal. Equity levels the playing field by understanding and addressing each person’s unique situation, not in the same way, but in a way that is necessary and applicable to that individual. Equitable practices ensure that all students, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, etc., have access to school resources and opportunities.

    Inclusion - Culture of belonging 
    The creation of a school culture that is welcoming and accessible to every student, parent, and teacher. Inclusion requires treating people of different backgrounds and lived experiences with appreciation, dignity, and respect, giving everyone space and opportunity to participate and be heard.

    Social Justice - Full and equitable participation 
    The belief that everyone is entitled to equitable rights, equal opportunities, and equal treatment in order to fully participate in society. Each of us at Sierra Canyon School has a personal responsibility to respect and work with others with the shared goal of creating a compassionate, just, and equitable learning environment. We are hopeful that through a commitment to social justice our students and faculty are propelled to action, making a positive difference in local, national, and global communities.

Senior DEI Team

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Roya Fahmy

    Roya Fahmy 

    Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    Ext. 125
  • Photo of Jim Skrumbis

    Jim Skrumbis 

    Head of School
    Ext. 301
  • Photo of Steve Burnett

    Steve Burnett 

    Director of Student Advancement
    Ext. 303
  • Photo of Lindsay Koss

    Lindsay Koss 

    Director of Grades 7-9; MS Faculty
    Ext. 313
Lower School: 11052 Independence Avenue
Middle and Upper School: 20801 Rinaldi Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311  | 818.882.8121
Sierra Canyon School is a private, independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory school for students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 located in Chatsworth, California. The highly cosmopolitan campus community is reflective of the Greater Los Angeles area and the world at large. Students are empowered to realize their greatest creative, ethical, intellectual and physical promise through small class sizes, a diverse student-teacher culture and a family-like environment.