Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
Building Community at Village
Village School is committed to fostering a community where every student feels seen, valued, respected, and knows they truly belong. Guided by our Village Values of Caring, Courage, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, Trust, and Integrity, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) shapes the way we teach, learn, and build community together.
Several years ago, a dedicated committee of Village parents partnered with school leadership to revisit our DEIB mission statement. Together, they thoughtfully refined the framework by adding the "B" for Belonging, recognizing that true inclusion means creating a community where every individual feels welcomed and valued.
That work continues to guide us today. Across classrooms, school traditions, family partnerships, and everyday interactions, we strive to create an environment where students learn to appreciate different perspectives, develop empathy, and build meaningful relationships. These experiences help prepare our students to engage thoughtfully with the world while knowing they have a place where they belong at Village School.
Programming Highlights
TK students perform at a Monday Morning Meeting in honor of Día de los Muertos, sharing songs that celebrate the traditions and significance of the holiday.
Students present on their cultural identity during a Nowruz Monday Morning Meeting.
Lion dancers visit Village in celebration of Lunar New Year.
Experts and educators present to the parent community during Belonging Hub Presents: Spotlight on Neurodiversity.
Highlights from the Families of Color Dinner.
Highlights from the Families of Color Dinner.
Highlights from the Families of Color Dinner.
As part of Vikings in the City, students across all grade levels connected over winter break during a visit to the Mr. Brainwash Art Museum.
Thanks to our parent volunteers, the Lunar New Year celebration is a memorable and joy-filled experience for our community.
Parents, faculty, and staff gather for the DEIB California Soul Book Club to explore diverse perspectives.
Belonging Throughout the Year
Throughout the school year, students and families celebrate heritage months, holidays, and cultural traditions through classroom learning, schoolwide events, guest speakers, performances, and community gatherings.
September
Latinx Heritage Month
Community Shabbat Dinner
Rosh Hashanah
November
Día de los Muertos
Diwali
Families of Color Dinner
Native American Heritage Month
January
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February
Black History Month
Lunar New Year celebration featuring our annual lion dance performance
March
Holi celebration with our sixth grade and Kindergarten buddies
Nowruz
April
Arab American Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance Month
May
Jewish American Heritage Month
June
Pride Month
Throughout the Year
Belonging Hub Special Events
DEIB Book Club Series
Vikings in the City Meetups
These celebrations help strengthen our community by creating opportunities to learn from one another and celebrate different traditions.
DEIB Initiatives at Village
THE BELONGING HUB
The Belonging Hub is a VSPA initiative dedicated to hosting events, activities, and initiatives that strengthen connections, foster inclusion, and cultivate a deep sense of belonging across everything we do at Village School. The goal is simple: every child, family, faculty, and staff member at Village School should feel valued, included, and know they truly belong here.
The Belonging Hub brings our community together through:
- Parent education events featuring expert speakers, including programs such as Spotlight on Neurodiversity: Supporting & Championing Smart Kids with Learning Differences
- Community gatherings and celebrations
- Vikings in the City cultural outings
- Opportunities for families to connect across grade levels and backgrounds
Families of Color Dinner
The Families of Color Dinner provides an opportunity for families to gather, build relationships, share experiences, and celebrate the diversity that strengthens the Village community.
DEIB Book Club Series
Our DEIB Book Club series brings parents together through literature that sparks thoughtful conversation and connection across grade levels. Selections often reflect voices and stories rooted in Los Angeles and beyond, creating space for rich discussion and new perspectives. Past gatherings have included conversations around Chef Keith Corbin's memoir, paired with a dinner from his restaurant, Alta Adams, bringing the stories from the page into a shared experience.
Vikings in the City
Los Angeles is one of the most culturally rich and diverse cities in the world, and Vikings in the City encourages Village families to experience it together.
Throughout the year, families are invited to explore museums, cultural centers, neighborhoods, performances, and community events across Los Angeles. Whether visiting the Japanese American National Museum, exploring Olvera Street, gathering at the California African American Museum, or meeting up at the Mr. Brainwash Art Museum, these shared experiences help children and families build cultural awareness, empathy, and meaningful connections beyond the classroom.
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Who Are We?
We are a diverse and inclusive committee of the Village School Board of Trustees, composed of parents, faculty, and trustees, dedicated to advancing the critical mission outlined in our general DEIB Mission Statement and Philosophy. One or more trustees chair the committee, which partners with the Head of School, the Assistant Head of School for Academic Programs, Equity, and Belonging, and the faculty Committee for DEIB.
Our Mission
At Village, we recognize fostering a sense of belonging that embraces and celebrates our diversity is a continuous effort involving every community member. As one of the eight vital committees of Village School’s Board of Trustees, the Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) plays a pivotal role. We collaborate with families, teachers, and the administration to ensure these values are deeply ingrained and amplified within our school community.
