International School of Panama (ISP): Panama City, Panama
What an inspiring day as I returned to International School of Panama (ISP) to continue our essential work to foster and sustain belonging. I had the privilege of meeting all students from Kindergarten to 12th grade, and it filled me with immense joy. Here's a glimpse of my day:
Lower School Connection
I kicked off the day with a heartwarming session with the Lower School, where I engaged with the youngest members of our community, from Kindergarten to 4th grade. Together, we explored Sesame Street's timeless mission to make kids "smarter, stronger, and wiser," a mission that beautifully aligns with ISP's own mission around belonging, academic excellence, and service.
I also reinforced October as International Bullying Prevention Month and discussed the importance of being upstanders.
Belonging Survey Launch
One of the cornerstone initiatives this year is the launch of a comprehensive belonging survey. This survey is designed to provide every member of the ISP community a voice in shaping the future of belonging at ISP.
Yesterday, I met all 4th-12th graders in divisional assemblies and some parents in a parent education orientation to provide insights regarding survey's rationale, structure, and methodology. The survey was thoughtfully curated by my research team and me, in collaboration with ISP, ensuring cultural alignment, ISP relevancy, and developmental appropriateness. I also shared our plans for facilitating focus groups to secure additional qualitative data and translating survey findings into actionable strategies and a strategic plan.
DEIB Task Force
To conclude the day, I reconvened the ISP DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Task Force for our third onsite session. Our focus remains on mapping current belonging efforts, collective visioning, and establishing subcommittees to address current priorities.
I'm eagerly looking forward to returning to ISP to share the progress we've made and to continue this transformative journey towards a deeper sense of belonging at ISP.
Together, we are creating an environment where every individual's unique story is valued and celebrated within an inclusive environment of dignity and respect.