Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Mission
Metairie Park Country Day School believes that the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential for optimal learning. We are committed to cultivating a community that encourages and teaches students to value cultures, beliefs, and our shared humanity. Our aim is for our students to learn to recognize their ability to advocate for themselves and those around them in order to lead lives full of meaning and
intention as members of the Country Day community. 

DEI Activities at Country Day

List of 15 items.

  • ADL Poetry Contest

    Country Day students are participated in The Anti-Defamation League and No Place for Hate® Art and Poetry Contest and won for many of their entries.
  • Turning 15 in the Road to Freedom

    In 1963, thirteen-year-old Lynda Blackmon was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King to become actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom, a musical and documentary viewed by our Middle and Upper School students, tells her true story. 
  • Black Student Union

    Our Black Student Union organized Congo in the Courtyard to celebrate and educate during Black History Month. The event included presentations to our lower school, a visit from Babboula 2000 Imagination Tour, and a second line.
  • Cultural Sharing

    Students can often teach us so much! Here our students celebrate and learn about the Harvest Moon Festival from our Chinese students.
  • Alumni Outreach

    Vernon Dunn Ph.D. 2004 visited campus to speak with our students about his journey from Middle School at Country Day to a Ph.D. in Neurobiology!
  • College Talks

    Former students came back to campus to talk with current students about their college choices, sharing stories of success at historically black colleges and universities, among others.
  • Cultural Sharing

    Country Day students, faculty, and the greater community experienced Bijayini Satpathy's illuminating Odissi dance, a classical Indian dance, and learned about the meaning behind her movements.
  • Daily Lessons

    Students are taught lessons during morning meeting and in class about the importance of caring for and including others. Here they wrote about what they learned.
  • Guest Speakers

    A big "thank you" to Senator JP Morrell 1997 who came back to campus to share his career path with our upper school students as part of BSU’s Black History Month programming.
  • ISAS DEI Work

    Joining with Country Day, ISAS schools in the New Orleans area are exploring and sharing diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices - learning from each other and working together.
  • Learning Events

    Upper school students were given the opportunity to hear New Jersey Senator Cory Booker speak at Xavier University in celebration of Martin Luther King weekend. 
  • Learning Events

    Country Day celebrated Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration, where we challenged our students to be brave enough to "make a mark" on the world!
  • Nationally-Known Guest Speakers

    Nationally-known author Julie Lythcott-Haims shared her novel and memoir Real American with our upper school students.
  • No Place for Hate

    As part of the New Orleans chapter of the Anti-Defamation League's No Place For Hate, students were asked to imagine a world without hate and create an original work of poetry. 
  • Parent Meetings

    In 2019, Country Day's lower school held three parent meetings to better understand our community's dream for an inclusive school environment.

List of 1 news stories.

Archive

List of 7 members.

  • Photo of Ninnette Varisco

    Ninnette Varisco 

    Director of DEIB, Lower School Assistant Librarian
    (504) 849-3118
  • Photo of Mindy McCelvey

    Mindy McCelvey 

    Country Day Early Childhood Center Teacher (Blue Dino)
    (504) 828-3482
  • Photo of Susan  Frantz

    Susan  Frantz 

    K/1/2 Teacher (Room 4)
    (504) 849-3134
  • Photo of Sean Patterson

    Sean Patterson 

    Middle and Upper School Drama Specialist, Middle School DEI Co-Facilitator
    (504) 840-3989
  • Photo of Pam Skehan

    Pam Skehan 

    Middle & Upper School Arts Teacher
    (504) 840-3987
  • Photo of Pamela Guter

    Pamela Guter 

    Development Assistant, BSU Advisor
    (504) 828-3408
  • Photo of Elizabeth Herman

    Elizabeth Herman 

    Upper School Spanish Teacher, Facilitator for DEIB
    (504) 838-3301