Strengthening Belonging Through Shared Leadership: DEIB at Westside for 2026–2027

The Board of Trustees DEIB Committee, along with the DEIB Task Force, recommended and, at our April 29th Board meeting, approved our diversity statement, which amplifies our already held value of Fostering Belonging. Which states: We remove barriers and uplift individuals, creating a community where all identities are seen, known, and celebrated. Through authentic relationships, shared responsibility, and equitable practices, we strive to honor each person’s lived experience and build a space where everyone belongs and thrives—together. This is the statement we will read before every BOT meeting and other community-facing events to remind and reinforce our commitment to our values.  

As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, we are excited to continue growing and strengthening Westside’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), which involves cultural understanding and community connection.

One of the important shifts we will be making next year is evolving how DEIB work is structured across the school. Over the past year, we have learned a great deal through our DEIB Task Force, community events, assemblies, classroom experiences, and family engagement efforts. As we reflect on that work, one thing has become increasingly clear: DEIB is not the work of a single individual or committee alone. It is a shared responsibility and a skill set that we all continue to develop together as educators, students, families, and community members.

With that in mind, Westside will move toward a more distributed leadership model for DEIB work next year. DEIB will become even more deeply integrated into our teaching and learning systems, student and family life programming, curriculum leadership, assemblies, and community engagement efforts.

Embedding DEIB Into the Everyday Life of Westside

Our goal is to ensure that DEIB work is woven into all facets of school life — from classroom instruction and curriculum design to family events, assemblies, student leadership opportunities, and community partnerships. This work will now be supported through newly designed teacher and administrative structures that improve clarity, accountability, and support of strategic initiatives. Those structures include:

Teaching & Learning / Student & Family Leadership

• Leo Lai — Director of Student and Family Life
• Catey Juravich — Director of Teaching and Learning
• Jeffie Lou Jackson — Cultural Assemblies & Family Events Coordinator

Department & Curriculum Leadership

• Lily Gillespie — EL Department Chair
• Teresa Colell — EL/LS Specialist Team Facilitator & World Language Department Chair
• Jennifer Cortez — LS Literacy Curriculum Facilitator
• Meghan Harshman — LS Math Curriculum Facilitator
• Kirby Young — MS Math Chair
• Savanah Jordan — MS Humanities Chair

Together, these leaders will help ensure that curriculum, student experiences, and community programming continue to reflect Westside’s mission, values, and commitment to belonging.

Continuing Community Engagement & Learning

While the DEIB Task Force structure will evolve, Westside will continue to maintain a standing Board DEIB Committee focused on building community inclusion and belonging through a range of community-facing initiatives. 

This committee will support:

• Family affinity groups and events 
• Community learning opportunities
• Cultural fluency and belonging initiatives
• Family feedback and engagement systems

One example of this work already underway is outreach to new families at Westside this year to better understand how they experienced their first year at Westside. Insights gathered from those conversations will help strengthen our onboarding, communication, and support systems for future families we welcome to Westside next year.

Community Events, Assemblies & Belonging Initiatives

Our assemblies and family events will continue to play an important role in celebrating identity, building empathy, and strengthening community connection.

Under the leadership of Leo Lai, Catey Juravich, and Jeffie Lou Jackson, next year’s work will focus on:

• Building sustainable and intentional DEIB programming
• Increasing student and family leadership opportunities
• Creating authentic spaces for celebration and learning
• Expanding student voice and family partnership
• Aligning DEIB efforts more intentionally within curriculum and instructional practice
• Supporting faculty affinity groups and cultural fluency development

Events such as Lunar New Year, Black History Month, Holi, AAPI celebrations, Pride events, Women’s History Month, and other cultural observances will continue to evolve in meaningful, community-centered ways.

Looking Ahead

At Westside, we believe students thrive when they feel seen, valued, connected, and affirmed for who they are. We also believe that preparing students to engage thoughtfully and compassionately in a diverse world is an essential part of education.

As we continue this work together, we remain committed to building a joyful and inclusive community grounded in belonging, curiosity, respect, and meaningful relationships.

Thank you for your partnership as we continue learning and growing together.

In partnership 

Dr. Daryl Wright

Head of School