Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are foundational tenets of the Falk Laboratory School Progressive education mission. In our community, we recognize the importance of diversity and encourage our students to appreciate and celebrate differences in our community.

Diversity at Falk encompasses the colors of our skin, the languages we speak, and the countries we come from. It includes our gender identities, our sexual identities, and the structures of our families. Diversity extends to our religions and the traditions we observe, and it includes the financial resources of our families, the ways in which students learn, and the individual needs of our children. Falk Laboratory School embraces our community’s many distinctive heritages, values, and beliefs.

Fostering a community where members reflect on and value equity and inclusion is integral to the creation of a socially just society. At Falk, we also seek to foster a community that understands the benefits and responsibilities of living in an inclusive, equitable, and diverse world. We believe it is our responsibility to engage in the larger community and prepare our students for life beyond the school’s walls. We follow the "welcoming schools" model, developed by the Southern Poverty Law Center's Learning for Justice project, and the No Place for Hate program.

Since its inception, Falk has been a model of collaboration. Children work daily in pairs or groups at all grades and in all content areas. Through working together, our children come to value the strengths that each individual brings to a task.

Families are also encouraged to share customs and celebrations with the community so that our children gain a deeper awareness of and respect for diverse cultures.

Falk’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice is also reflected by the curriculum. Throughout a student’s time at Falk, they will explore content chosen by faculty to highlight and celebrate diverse voices. From kindergarten through fifth grade, Falk’s equity, inclusion, and justice coordinator works with classroom teachers to produce age-appropriate lesson plans on themes related to equity and inclusion.

Beginning in middle school, students take Social Justice class one trimester each year. Based on the Learning for Justice curriculum, the class builds toward a social justice mindset by making deep inquiries into the themes of identity, diversity, justice, and action. Students begin by recognizing they are not defined by a single narrative and celebrating a variety of cultures and experiences. They investigate historical and current events related to immigration and resettlement, and explore people and movements aimed at combating inequities and advancing justice and liberation.

Falk Laboratory School supports a variety of programs to help students, caregivers, faculty, and staff explore issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in a safe environment. These programs include:

• LGBTQ+ Club: LGBTQ+ Club is a space for students and allies to celebrate LGBTQ+ identities, share their experiences in a supportive environment, and discuss issues of personal importance. 
• Caregivers Book Club: Caregivers Book Club is an annual program facilitated by K–5 counselor Kali Stull and aimed at fostering community and meaningful discussion among parents and caregivers. This year’s book is Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide by Britt Hawthorne with Natasha Yglesias.
• No Place for Hate: Falk Laboratory School is engaged in No Place for Hate, a student-led climate improvement program with a mission to “build a learning community of inclusivity, respect, and equity.” Our partnership with No Place for Hate supports community members in building understanding and recognizing acts of hatred, with the goal of inspiring students and adults to become allies.
• Neurodiverse Club: "Neuro" Club is a student-initiated group that offers neurodiverse fifth graders and their allies a space for connection, reflection, and strategy building. Students are invited to discuss what they know about their brains, share their experiences navigating school, and learn from each other about topics like dyscalculia, ADHD, and more.
• Parent/Caregiver Affinity Groups: Falk Laboratory School is partnering with the Falk Parent Organization to establish and support parent/caregiver affinity groups. These groups will be safe spaces for community members to learn from and with each other. Additionally, affinity groups will have the opportunity to serve as stakeholders for community event planning committees.

In addition to the Falk Laboratory School Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Bullying Policy, Falk also recognizes and upholds the University of Pittsburgh’s Nondiscrimination Policy.