Thriving Together: DEIB at Westside — February 2026

As we move deeper into February, classrooms across Westside are alive with conversations about identity, justice, culture, and kindness. From preschool to middle school, students are engaging with big ideas in thoughtful, age-appropriate ways, through art, music, books, dialogue, and shared experiences. Together, these moments show what DEIB looks like at Westside: students learning to see themselves, learn from others, and understand how their choices shape the community they are part of.

Honoring History and Legacy

Across grade levels, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month are being honored not as isolated moments, but as invitations to think critically and act with care.

In early learning, students are recognizing Black History Month by learning about figures like Garrett Morgan and his invention of the traffic light, helping them connect innovation, safety, and everyday life in concrete ways.

In Lower School classrooms, students are reading powerful texts, examining images, and asking hard, meaningful questions. First graders are writing birthday wishes to Rosa Parks and thank-you letters to Ruby Bridges, connecting with the idea that children just like them can be changemakers. Second graders are exploring Dr. King’s values of nonviolence, community, and hope for the future through books and discussion, while also beginning to think about what it means to honor commitments like our Duwamish Promise. Be sure to check out second grade’s Dr. King Quote Quilt in the lobby the next time you are on campus. 

Kindergartners and third graders are engaging in stories, conversations, and acts of service that emphasize kindness, fairness, and standing up for others. In fourth grade, students honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by reflecting on what they already knew, identifying misconceptions, and building shared understanding. They then stepped inside historical photographs from his life, writing from the perspective of an object or person in each image to deepen their understanding of his impact and why his work still matters today.

In sixth grade Ethics & Equity class, students are exploring a wide range of Black historical figures and showing their learning in multiple ways, such as quick facts and trading cards, to more in-depth biographical writing with partners. They’ve begun research for a larger poster project focused on an individual of their choice, with plans to display the finished work in shared spaces around campus.

In art spaces, Black History Month comes alive visually. Students are studying and drawing inspiration from artists such as Amy Sherald, Kehinde Wiley, Faith Ringgold, and Jacob Lawrence, using their work to spark conversations about representation, storytelling, and voice.

 

Identity, Belonging, and Student Voice

Several classes are diving into identity work that encourages reflection and empathy. In third grade SEL, students created “Identity Icebergs,” naming what people might see on the surface while also honoring the unseen parts of themselves—religion, nationality, interests, neurodiversity, and more. In fourth grade, students explored “What’s in Your Head,” drawing and writing about their inner lives, including emotions, thoughts, and learning differences. This lesson was inspired by an idea from a fourth grader and then co-created as a class.

In Middle School, conversations continue through the BIPOC affinity group, which meets regularly during lunch. These gatherings center curiosity, intentional listening, and pride in identity. Students share personal traditions, experiences, and perspectives, learning that while family practices may look different, many values resonate across cultures.

 

Celebrating Culture and Community

Lunar New Year is being celebrated across divisions with collaboration between Mandarin classes. Students are learning about traditions, language, music, and symbolism through studying the Chinese Zodiac and festival vocabulary, and by singing songs and creating art inspired by calligraphy, Ming vases, lanterns, and zodiac animals. The celebration extends beyond one day, with learning that culminates in the Lantern Festival. This year, we were thrilled to welcome the Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon & Lion Dance Association to our school community. During Wolfpacks on Friday, February 6, students enjoyed an energetic and informative Dragon and Lion Dance performance on the turf, showcasing traditional music, movement, and cultural traditions. The performance brought our community together to celebrate the Lunar New Year and offered students a meaningful opportunity to learn through shared cultural experiences with their wolfpack buddies.

In music classes, students sing songs honoring Lunar New Year and MLK Day, reinforcing learning through rhythm and joy. The library is highlighting Black History Month, MLK Jr. Day, and Ramadan through curated book displays that invite students to browse, ask questions, and see themselves reflected in stories.

Valentine’s Day, too, becomes an opportunity for connection rather than consumption. Students are collaborating on projects about love and kindness, exchanging messages with classmates, and building relationships across grade levels, including plans for older students to share songs with their Kindergarten buddies.

This March, Westside will celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors that honors spring, renewal, and community. We are looking for parents, caregivers, or community members who may be interested in helping support or co-create a Holi celebration with our students. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Jeffie Lou Jackson at jeffielouj@westsideschool.org. 
 

 

Looking Ahead: DEIB Work Beyond the Classroom

In addition to this powerful classroom-based work, the DEIB Task Force continues to deepen its efforts school-wide. Members are participating in Peace Circles training using a train-the-trainer model, with plans to bring these relationship-building practices to faculty and the wider community. Peace Circles center on authenticity, trust, and belonging, values that sit at the core of our mission.

We’re also excited to share that longtime Westside educator Jeffie Lou Jackson is supporting the coordination of upcoming cultural assemblies and family events, including Lunar New Year, Black History Month, Holi, AAPI Heritage Month, and Pride celebrations. These experiences are designed to honor lived identities, elevate community voices, and invite both students and families into shared learning.

Finally, the DEIB Task Force is currently working on updating Westside’s DEIB mission statement. Our Director of Teaching and Learning, Catey Jurivich, is leading that initiative, and we plan to share it with the community later this spring. This work will help guide and sustain our commitments and ground our language in our actions for the years ahead.

 

Supporting Our Community

Recent national conversations around immigration enforcement have created uncertainty and concern for many of our families. At Westside, we want to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every student and family feels safe, valued, and supported.

Westside maintains clear policies to protect our community. As a private school, immigration enforcement is not permitted on campus or at school-sponsored events without a valid judicial warrant. We do not collect or track immigration status, and student information remains protected under federal privacy law. If a family is impacted by immigration enforcement, our priority is supporting student stability, continued learning, and emotional well-being.

We also recognize that students may have questions or concerns. Our counseling team continues to provide guidance and resources to help families navigate these conversations in supportive and age-appropriate ways. Please feel free to reach out if you need support. 

Belonging is at the heart of our community, and we remain committed to ensuring every child feels safe, cared for, and known at Westside.