The Crown Family School Climate Study

October 27, 2022

Dear Crown Family School Community,

Thank you to everyone who attended the Climate Study Community Forums held this week. We truly appreciated the opportunity to hear the findings collectively, and to begin processing what this means for our community. Thank you to all who have been actively engaged in this process so far, and we look forward to continuing on this journey with you.

As mentioned during the Community Forums, the full report will be available on our Climate Study site by the beginning of next week (you can also submit questions on the site). We have also planned several different Action Planning Sessions to process the data and begin developing a roadmap to move forward. All Action Planning Sessions will be facilitated by members of the Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Committee and the list of sessions is below. You will see we have sessions for all, and sessions for specific communities--you are welcome to attend all that you identify with. Food will also be provided. Click here to RSVP for any of the sessions, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you,

The Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Committee

Climate Study Action Planning Sessions

October 13, 2022

Dear Crown Family School Community,

As many know, last year the Crown Family School contracted with Rankin & Associates, an independent consulting firm, to work with the School’s Climate Survey Working Group to conduct a School-level climate study and survey. The study was designed to assess the current environment, identify our strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies that build on and foster an inclusive environment.

Faculty, staff, and students at the Crown Family School participated in the study during Spring 2022, completing the confidential survey online, with data sent directly to Rankin & Associates to analyze. Rankin & Associates completed its survey analysis over the summer, and has written an Executive Summary and final report. To preserve independence and objectivity, no one at the School has been involved in the survey analysis or the writing or editing of the work products. Individual quotes included in the documents have been vetted to ensure confidentiality.

Dan Merson, the Project Manager from Rankin & Associates, will be at the Crown Family School to present the report and discuss the results in a series of community forums to be held Tuesday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 26. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend a forum (in-person or on Zoom webinar). A link to RSVP for one of these sessions is provided below.

The results of this study will serve as a catalyst for communication and discussion, and contribute to thinking about the implementation of new programs, policies, and activities that will foster an inclusive climate. In addition to these initial survey results, over the coming weeks we plan to hold meetings with all constituents of the School, to discuss and identify specific actions the School can take to enhance and contribute to an environment in which all individuals and groups feel welcomed, respected, and valued.

The Executive Summary of the study results were made available on myCrownSchool in advance of the community forums. Further information, including information about follow-up action sessions, will be coming from the School’s Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity (IE&D) Committee.

I want to extend my special thanks to the members of the Climate Survey Working Group, especially co-chairs S Simmons and Kristen Reid Salomon, and previous co-chair Susan Lambert, who spent many hours discussing and refining all elements of the survey.

I look forward to seeing you at one of the community forums (in-person or on Zoom webinar) that will be held on October 25 or 26. RSVP here.

Deborah Gorman-Smith, PhD
Dean
Emily Klein Gidwitz Professor