After a 15-month hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the San Francisco New Orleans District Office of Education has begun to hold its regular in-person meetings of District groups.
First among these gatherings were the District Chief Administrators Association (DCAA) and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) school coordinators. DCAA met September 19-22 in Santa Fe, NM, and the DEIB coordinators met September 26-28 at Mont La Salle in Napa, CA. Both meetings took place according to health and safety protocols as per both District leadership and local officials.
DCAA members pose in front of St. Michael’s High School.
The DCAA gathering afforded SFNO’s school presidents and principals, joined by several members of the District leadership team, the welcome opportunity to once again meet in person to pray, strengthen ties of community, and share best practices. Significant time was devoted to learning from the Covid-pandemic, along with discussions addressing other critical areas of mission-centered ways to meet the needs of the educators and students entrusted to the care of chief administrators.
DCAA highlights included an opening meeting of Lasallian mentors with 1st and 2nd year administrators, a student-led tour of Saint Michael’s High School, a mass and social hosted by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe at the stunning Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, and the natural beauty and hospitality of the Santa Fe region and its residents.
This year’s DCAA theme is “Together and by Association: In Person!” SFNO Office of Education Director Mike Daniels explained to the group, “Recalling the challenges and struggles John Baptist de La Salle endured as the founder of Brothers of the Christian Schools, he found strength and inspiration from those he served alongside, fellow teachers and brothers. It is in this spirit of accompaniment that we gather in Santa Fe as a Lasallian community of educators and servant leaders.”
DEIB participants during their gathering at Mont La Salle.
The DEIB coordinators’ workshop was the first opportunity that these Lasallians would have to gather in person after about a year of virtual meetings via Zoom. Like at DCAA, a number of District leadership team members joined the participants for an agenda built around prayer, community building, and professional sharing.
Presentation and discussion/reflection topics included creating pathways to equity and belonging, viewing DEIB through the lens of Catholic social teaching as well as of Lasallian mission and tradition, including its core principles as exemplified through its practice of social justice. Conversations around these topics allowed for the sharing of experience and resources, as well as for networking and support.
A highlight was a group dialogue with SFNO Brother Visitor Donald Johanson, FSC, who heard from the group about the different challenges and opportunities that come with doing the work in schools of DEIB awareness-raising, education, and leadership.
Workshop organizer and SFNO Leadership Formation Director Janell Kloosterman, AFSC, reflected, “The gathering provided the opportunity for professional, spiritual, and personal reflection. Leaders in DEIB are faced with incredible challenges yet also recognize their role as being one of a change agent and the profound impact this can have for our students. This gave them the brave space to discuss those individual and collective challenges and share best practices to support one another while also celebrating their accomplishments and dedication in creating equitable practices in their Lasallian ministries.”
Kloosterman continued, “Most importantly our DEIB leaders walked away with a sense of association and community, the bedrock as they move forward in their work assuring that our members of the Lasallian family not only feel included, but that they BELONG.”
A listing of upcoming OOE events and their dates and formats is available at the SFNO websites Events Calendar.
