To foster open dialogue and diversity of thought, student Leaders in the Upper School create a program to practice engaging across difference.
RCDS student leaders recently launched a Coalition of Differences, a monthly after-school gathering to promote diversity of thought within the School community. At the first meeting, student leader Eesha Narain '21 addressed a full house of students and shared some community norms that she hopes the Coalition will uphold including being fully present, speaking from an "I" perspective, leaning into discomfort, treating the candidness of others as a gift, taking risks, and being self-responsible and self-challenging, among others. In proposing the group, students wrote, "When students leave the RCDS community, a critical skill we should cultivate is having conversations with people who aren't exactly like us, even if it is on a subject that feels uncomfortable to talk about." In a year where RCDS is exploring the theme of citizenship, the Coalition's work is especially pertinent as students think about ways to be aware and engaged citizens within the School community and beyond.