Naming our successes and setting new goals

During the spring of 2009, Milton’s faculty Cultural Diversity Committee recommended that we assess our climate as a community. As a diverse and inclusive school community, we would like to name both our successes and our challenges. We want to rely on qualitative and quantitative data, to make sure we plan for the future on solid ground.  To accomplish this project, the Committee chose an instrument developed by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). The NAIS instrument engages trustees, faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni in dialog about shared experiences. The instrument, An Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM), asks us to reflect together in ways that will both educate and unify us. We are excited to introduce this process to the community.

AIM’s design helps schools build effective strategic planning initiatives to sustain our achievements and reach for new goals. AIM includes a School Self Assessment (a collection of Discovery Focus Groups) and a School Climate Online Survey. Through both arms of this study we will all have opportunities: to talk with others at Milton about our experiences; to express our opinions through the survey; or potentially to use both options.

Many faculty and staff will participate in discovery focus groups on Monday, January 4, 2010.  Through the Parent Association leadership, we will develop dates for parent groups (on campus or through conference call). If you are interested in participating please email Heather_flewelling@milton.edu, director of multicultural programming. The on-line climate survey will launch in January and stay open for approximately two weeks.  We will alert you when the survey opens.

This process ensures that each member of our community has an opportunity to give voice to his or her experience at Milton. Working together to enrich our learning and working environment encourages our best selves. Change and growth are opportunities. Gaining the tools to make progress as a community as well as a shared sense of direction is an exciting prospect.

 

[Back to Centre Connection]