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April 2021
Volume 1 Issue 1
A Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Alliance Community,
Welcome to the first edition of Culture of Equity. This is the official newsletter of the Independent School Alliance! In our newsletter, you will find that it is filled with information, helpful hints and tips, events, news, and opportunities for the communities that we serve. We want this newsletter to be valuable for you so please, please share your feedback and suggestions to help us improve.
For this first edition, we wanted to highlight some of the amazing things our scholars and alums are doing. In this first edition, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Chanel, Kaylen, Elijah, and Paola.
The Year in Review
After everything that happened last summer racially, we, at the Alliance, know that in partnership with our schools and board, we must accelerate the work of disrupting institutional and systemic racism with a sense of urgency. The emotional anguish of reconciling the impacts of COVID-19 and the tragic events and unrest that swept across our country have undoubtedly had a snowballing impact on all students, especially Black and Brown students who are more likely to experience persistent trauma that impacts their academic success. I hope you continue to engage in this work with us.
We approach students and families as if they were members of our own family, and seek to SERVE them with as much love and commitment as we do our own. One of our goals at the Alliance has always been to prepare our scholars to navigate the realities of the independent school system while empowering them with the education needed to take on the system as it is in hopes of transforming it in some way by their presence and leadership. Please enjoy this issue of our newsletter and learn more about our students, alums, and program services!
Last year, like everyone else, we were working to navigate the new realities of COVID-19 and transitioning to virtual work and programming. A year later, we are sending the students and families of Cohort 37 (96% acceptance rate) to their new school communities and preparing to accept our second cohort (C38) of Alliance Scholars since the pandemic started. We hope that you, your family, and your loved ones remain healthy and happy as we begin to tackle the next to normal.
In service to students and families,
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Rob Evans
Executive Director
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In the World of Admissions
Cohort 37
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96%
Accepted
Cohort 38
Application Deadline
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July 9th, 2021
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In order to apply to a member school through the alliance, students must first be admitted into our Cohort as a candidate for placement.
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The Alliance supports students applying for grades K–9.
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Students that qualify for candidate status demonstrate significant ability, achievement, motivation, and citizenship.
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Applicants for kindergarten and first grade must demonstrate school readiness.
Check your eligibility for the Fall 2022-2023 enrollment by using
the info sign up form, click here.
Alliance Scholars and Alums in the News
Former Alliance Ambassador and Archer School Alumna '19, Kaylen Chase has been selected as Santa Clara University 2021 Panetta Congressional Intern. Read More...
Our Alliance Ambassador Kennedy Reynolds, Oakwood School '22 gets some well-deserved shine by a Spectrum News article for her role in the virtual, live-streamed production of George C Wolfe's The Colored Museum. Read More...
Chanel Malik Independent School Alum Blazing a Trail for Other Students of Color In Independent Schools Read More...
Alliance Alum Elijah Devaughn Jr., wins Marshall and Rhodes Scholarships!
Events
Upcoming Events
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The Spring Membership Meeting is our annual opportunity to discuss the previous admissions season with our member school Admissions Directors and Enrollment Managers. This year, in conjunction with efforts from our Strategic Plan, we're asking admissions offices to also invite their school heads to this conversation. We look forward to reviewing themes and trends from the cycle and setting expectations with our partners.
Across Colors Diversity Conference (ACDC) is taking place this year (virtually) from November 5th - 6th. The mission of the ACDC is to provide a safe space for the professional and personal development of leaders, parents, board members, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds in independent schools. ACDC also gives parents and students an opportunity to engage in hands-on activities and participate in content-based discussions on the importance of building & sustaining inclusive, nurturing forward-thinking independent school campuses. Stay tuned for more information!
Past Events
As we continued to process Independent School Alum Amanda Gorman's powerful Inaugural poem, The Hill We Climb, it reminded us of the unwavering importance of diversity in our independent schools. On March 4th, the Alliance held #TheresStillWorkToDo, a panel discussion moderated by Executive Director Rob Evans and Board Member Monica Mange Johnson where our alums discussed how we move forward to address systemic racism in our Independent Schools.
A beautiful morning of Flowers + coffee + Fabulous loungewear sets from @shai_dye was enjoyed by all who attended the @flowertruckla held Thursday, February 25th. Thank you to everyone who came to support the Alliance!
Please click here for an analysis of this professional development.
Our New Board Members
Brent Epstein
Rose Helm
Monica Mange Johnson
Muhammad Shahzad
Opportunities and Resources
The National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA) will hold its annual conference April 27-29, 2021. Our very own Executive Director Rob Evans will be one of the presenters. For registration and more information click here.
Summer Opportunity: Camp DaVinci
The 2021 DaVinci Camp Summer Institute, an innovative math and arts summer program designed for highly motivated rising 6th graders through graduating seniors. This year's Summer Institute will be held remotely from our DVC Headquarters in Pasadena and various locations throughout the world. The sessions will focus on the fundamentals of middle school and high school math along with advanced courses in calculus, physics and special topics in higher level mathematics. More info here...
We are more than a year into the pandemic and the effects continue to weigh heavily on each of us. In our efforts to support our community, we've partnered with Open Paths Counseling Center, to offer a FREE support group for anyone struggling from the impact of the pandemic as well as other counseling services at a discounted rate to Alliance families. To access this resource, please visit www.openpaths.org and let them know you're a family of the Independent School Alliance.
The Independent School Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our work relies on the generosity of our donors. To make a tax-deductible gift to the Alliance, click the Donate button below.