The Office of Community Engagement was developed after the Diversity Structures Task Force of the Board of Trustees determined that our goals could best be served by a dedicated team focused on our commitment to building a healthy, equitable, antiracist, and sustainable community.
Jean-Robert Andre, the new Dean of Equity and Inclusion, joins Kim Chaloner, Dean of Community Life and Ilana Laurence, Dean of Student life, as Grace seeks to support the institution in engaging in collaborative work that serves the school’s mission to “develop an active ethical consciousness.” The office helps coordinate professional development, student programs and events that honor our rich interconnectedness in a diverse and dynamic world. Any member of the community is invited to visit and learn about how the office hopes to make the mission of Grace Church School a living and breathing reality for all.
Jean-Robert Andre, the new Dean of Equity and Inclusion, joins Kim Chaloner, Dean of Community Life and Ilana Laurence, Dean of Student life, as Grace seeks to support the institution in engaging in collaborative work that serves the school’s mission to “develop an active ethical consciousness.” The office helps coordinate professional development, student programs and events that honor our rich interconnectedness in a diverse and dynamic world. Any member of the community is invited to visit and learn about how the office hopes to make the mission of Grace Church School a living and breathing reality for all.
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Welcome from the OCE
We are thrilled to start this new academic year and to (re)introduce the Office of Community Engagement! One aim of the OCE is to share resources for interested families to learn more about the different cultures that make up the Grace community. To that end, please check out the OCE resource board on GraceNet for up-to-date information on all the work we do throughout the year. -
Diversity Council 22-23: Fostering Belonging at Grace
Established in 2009, the Diversity Council has been an anchor for community conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, and this year, belonging. -
Pride Month Resources for JK-4 Families
The Office of Community Engagement has compiled a list of resources for families who would like to learn more at home. -
Second Annual Food & Justice Night
The Office of Community Engagement was proud to host the second annual Food & Justice Night on April 19 in collaboration with the Student Diversity Council and community groups across the school. -
Grace Tops List of Green Schools in NYC
Did you know that Grace is the highest ranked school in New York City in the EPA's recently released list of the largest green power users among all K-12 school partners? Further, Grace currently ranks #5 nationally! -
Grace Celebrates Earth Month
In April, Grace celebrated Earth Month with activities, guest speakers, and fun across all divisions! -
Black History Month Chapel
With the theme of “Black Legacy Reset, Looking Both Forward and Back,” this year’s Black History Month Chapel began with members of Amazing Grace and Black-identifying faculty walking down the aisle of Grace Church as senior Sarah W. and the Jazz Ensemble performed “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder. -
30th Annual MLK Celebrations
“I dream a world where all / Will know sweet freedom's way, / Where greed no longer saps the soul / Nor avarice blights our day.” So reads an excerpt from Langston Hughes’s poem, “I Dream a World,” which fifth grader Grace M. chose to recite last Friday as part of a student-directed presentation of music, dance, and spoken word performances honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and fellow social justice leaders. -
R. Eric Thomas Visits Community Book Club
On Dec 12, the Grace Community Book Club welcomed R. Eric Thomas, author of Kings of B’more, to join their second meeting of the academic year. -
Visibility Exhibit Returns to Grace
To address the ongoing struggles with affirming visibility and representation of the LGBTQ+ community, Grace launched the biennial Visibility Photography Exhibit in 2014. -
Welcome Lunch to Celebrate Diversity
On Saturday, November 5, Grace Church School welcomed new and returning families of color for an afternoon of community, delicious food, and remarks from those at the helm of inclusion efforts at school. -
Celebrating Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month
Grace recently celebrated Latinx and Hispanic Heritage month. Students heard from speakers, including teachers and fellow classmates, performed music, recited poetry, and raised funds for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. -
Grace Celebrates Pride Month
As celebrations take place across the globe, Grace was able to celebrate Pride together before the end of the school year. -
High Schoolers Present at Grace's Inaugural Scientific Research Conference
In May, tenth and eleventh graders taking the Environmental Science and Neuroscience course presented research proposals they’d worked on throughout the year during the inaugural Scientific Research Conference, hosted in collaboration with NYU. -
Sixth Graders Organize Mother's Day Charity Drive
Ahead of Mother’s Day, sixth grade advisories worked together to support survivors of domestic violence. Led by Middle School Teacher Leslie Peña-Racli, students contributed five boxes of personal care items to a charitable drive organized by The Harrington Park Junior Women’s Club. -
Green Team Members Attend Columbia’s Youth Climate Summit
On April 2, Luke R. ‘22 and Yanna G. ‘23 represented the High School Green Team at the 5th annual Columbia Youth Climate Summit. -
Students Conduct Field Research at Hudson River Estuary
On March 30, juniors and seniors in Grace’s Full STEAM Ahead: Exploring the Hudson River Estuary Lab Day course (taught in collaboration with Columbia University) visited the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia’s scientific research center that focuses on climate and earth sciences. -
Dr. Pauli Murray: The Civil Rights Activist at the Center of This Year’s MLK Commemoration
Each year, as a part of our commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, the entire school gathers around a central theme to recognize the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and influential figures that embody the values that Dr. King exemplified. -
Observing the Transgender Day of Remembrance
Today, November 20 marks the 22nd annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day commemorating the lives of transgender and gender-nonconforming people lost to fatal violence. -
Grace Gathers for Food & Justice Event
On November 4, the Office of Community Engagement hosted Food & Justice, this year’s fall diversity event.
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Grace Church School is a co-educational independent school in downtown Manhattan, New York City providing instruction for nearly 800 students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12.
