The CAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference

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REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL. Please click the registration button below to add your school to the wait list.

The CAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference
Sponsored by The Commission on Diversity in Independent Schools

DATE: Sunday, April 2, 2023

Time: 9:00-9:45AM – Conference check-in and breakfast; 9:45AM-3:45PM – Conference Program

Location: Hopkins School, New Haven, CT

For: Students (grades 7-12/PG), faculty and administrators from CAIS independent schools

About the Conference:
Founded in 2003 by the CAIS Commission on Diversity in Independent Schools, this conference was inspired by events in other regions (such as Across Colors in Southern California) and modeled after the national conference held annually by NAIS. The mission of the event is to bring students from grades 7-12 and adults from independent schools across the state together for a day of networking and dialogue, facilitating cross-cultural understanding and a call to action to improve our school communities and our world.

• to connect students of color and students committed to the cause with peers in other schools
• to strengthen our network of those committed to diversity in CT
• to supplement national activities (POCC/SDLC) with a regional activity
• to facilitate conversation about social justice between students and their teachers
• to give our student leaders a forum for dialogue and action with other students representing the diversity of CAIS schools (boarding / day / single sex / secular and non-secular etc.)

STUDENT SESSIONS:
All sessions are interactive and facilitated by an experienced DEI educator
7th & 8th Grade: Language & Words Matter
9th Grade: Stereotypes, Prejudice and Discrimination unpacked
10th Grade: Who Am I & Social Identifiers
11th Grade:  Our Socialization: How do we learn what we learn?
12th Grade/PG: Moving from Allyship to Co-conspirators

EDUCATOR BREAKOUT SESSIONS:
Moving from Surviving to Thriving: How to Center Ourselves and Our Joy! Session designed for educators who self identify as educators of color
Audre Lorde once said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” Oftentimes, whether in a formal diversity practitioner role or not, people of color bear the burden of carrying diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice forward in their workplaces. Focused on healing and wellness for Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC), the goal of this workshop is to leave participants feeling affirmed and reinvigorated.
Presenters: Shari Baker & Akailah Jenkins McIntyre, The Wells Collective

LGBTQ+ 101: Exploring Identities & Allyship (Youth Support Focus) Session open to all educators
This training will engage participants in a thorough overview of the LGBTQ+ community, with focus on supporting and affirming LGBTQ+ youth and creating safe, inclusive, and empowering environments. From terminology and definitions to rethinking historical and traditional assumptions about gender and sexuality, this training is a must for all those who wish to be informed, and therefore effective, allies.
Presenter: Cadence Pentheny, The Triangle Community Center

Silence and Inaction Equals Oppression: Allyship & co-conspirators matter. Session designed for educators who self identify as white
To foster belonging in society, antiracism and antibias policies and practices are essential to breaking down privilege. White Allies can help dismantle structures that perpetuate systemic discrimination by becoming more than just aware as Allies, but move to action as Co-conspirators. This workshop provides a framework for how to move beyond awareness into action by reinforcing or establishing antiracist and antibias practices in your community to create a truly antiracist community. This interactive session is based on the scholarship of Ibram X. Kendi. It examines the stumbling blocks to creating an antiracist community, such as white privilege, stereotypes, and micro-aggressions. Participants leaving the session will be armed with the knowledge needed to take action to promote an antiracist society.
Presenter: Pascale Musto, Pascale Consulting

Ramadan Space for Prayer and Reflection available:
An adult facilitated space for attendees (students and adults) who are observing Ramadan

Schedule for the day and logistics regarding parking, accessing main session and location of workshops will be sent via email to registrants.

Cost (CAIS Member Schools):
includes continental breakfast and full lunch
$250 for each school registered (includes one registration)
$30 for each additional registrant

Registration guidelines:

• Schools must register at least one adult for each eight students registered;
• Adults attending can register without bringing students. They must be employed at the school;
• Registration form must be completed by adults ONLY;
• Each school registering students must have a designated adult who will be in attendance and who will share contact information.