In October 2020 OLMC principal Ms. Verdonck began a year long process, in part to recommit ourselves to our mission, address issues of systemic racism, review hiring practices and examine important issues that affect all of us like unconscious biases, inclusion and amplifying muted voices. In October we began internally with a day dedicated to Mission and assembling an Action Plan (see below). This past Friday the staff dedicated their second biyearly professional development day to the second of a series of professional development meetings to continue to reexamine and refocus our shared mission.  Check out photos from the virtual event hosted by Kendall Baldwin.

Kendall Baldwin has a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in African and African-American Studies from Harvard University and a M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Erikson Institute. A former preschool teacher, she is currently the Manager of US Chapter Relations for HOPE worldwide, inspiring, supporting and training 125 volunteer-led, community service-oriented Chapters. She has presented on youth advocacy and community service at the UN Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action and several national nonprofit conferences. As a biracial woman, she has a natural interest in cultural identity and race relations. She believes that strong community relationships are essential for empowering individuals and promoting well-being, which is why she was so excited to speak with us.

Faculty Mission Development Action Plan 2020-2021

  • The creation of a parent led and faculty supported diversity and inclusion guild.
  • The formation of a faculty working group to diversify our curriculum beginning Fall 2021.
  • Committing to hours of professional development and training for faculty in the areas of sensitivity training and anti-racist work led by experts and outside advocates.
  • Engage in more cross curricular lessons and activities between grades and disciplines.
  • Recommit to educate our community on our Catholic Carmelite heritage.
  • Encourage parents and diverse community stake holders to join our Academy’s advisory board.
  • Create more opportunities for peer mentorship and expanded opportunities for emotional learning for students.
  • Review current assessment practices and adopt a differentiated approach to assess a variety of learners across grades.
  • Create more opportunities for staff members to meet, socialize and brainstorm together across grades and disciplines.