DEI Stories

What does Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion look like in practice at Woodland Hills Private School? 

The stories below will give you an inside look!

Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month

September 15 - October 15

Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latine history and culture. While we celebrate Hispanic and Latinx communities beyond this month, from September 15 to October 15, we give extra recognition to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more. 

In the classroom, on campus, and through school-wide celebrations, WHPS highlights Hispanic Heritage Month in various ways, including but not limited to flying the flags of countries associated with Hispanic Heritage Month, student-led assemblies presenting facts, figures, and interesting information on the associated cultures and countries, live music demonstrations, food samplings from associated cultures and countries, expansion of library books and more. 

Native American Heritage Month

November 1 - November 30

Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every year in November to pay tribute to the rich culture and heritage of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. During the month, we honor the many cultures dating back thousands of years to the original inhabitants who have deeply enriched the quality and character of our nation. 

In the classroom, on campus, and beyond campus, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. We involve the students and staff in an assembly that shares stories, culture, music, and/or dance. History and culture are woven into the curriculum and on field trips to the Chumash Museum.

Lunar New Year

Jan/Feb, annually changes

Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan. 

Every year, we celebrate the Lunar New Year with a school-wide assembly led by the Immortals Lion Dance team, where they mix history discussions, dance, performances, and music. Individual classrooms also integrate Lunar New Year lessons, art, music, books, and crafts into their curriculum. 

Black History Month

February 1 - February 28

Black History Month was created to highlight the achievements and contributions of the African Americans who built and shaped our nation. 1976 President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” This month is a time to honor and celebrate the legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society - from activists and civil rights pioneers to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture, and more. 

Across campus, you will see BHM celebrated, from African Flags flying on our front gate to individual leaders being celebrated on classroom doors. We have a library display and annually invest in upgrading and diversifying our library to have the newest and most relevant books available for celebrating Black History in February and all year long. Every year we diversify our assemblies with age-appropriate student-moderated panel discussions, live music, drum circles, dance demonstrations and dance instruction, food from local black chefs, readings from prominent black authors and illustrators, and other such events, which highlight and amplify what is taught and researched at the classroom level.

Women’s History Month

March 1 - March 31

In 1909, a movement began when 15,000 women in New York City marched on the streets, demanding safe working conditions and better pay. This march led to International Women’s Day on March 8th, starting in 1911. By 1987, after petitioning Congress, the month of March was designated as Women’s History Month. The movement towards uplifting women and providing equality between women and men continues to this day.

During the month of March, we highlight and honor women and all that they have accomplished and continue to accomplish in society with student-led facts and figures that are shared in our morning assemblies. During the month, we invest in new books to continually diversify the library. We honor WHM with a banner on our front fence to encourage people to support the Equal Rights Amendment. We open our classroom conversations and lesson plans to the greater community of women leaders and game changers to meet with students to continue the conversation on Women’s Rights in America. 

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

The Third Week of March

Depending on how our brains are wired, we think, move, process information, and communicate in different ways. Neurodiversity is a concept that empowers us to see the world where neurological differences are not just acknowledged but also respected as all other human variations. Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference. We take a balanced view of an individual’s unique strengths and challenges. Many ‘challenges’ neurodivergent people face have more to do with the environment and systems they are placed in, often designed by a majority population.

During Neurodiversity Celebration Week, our students learn about different kinds of neurodiversity, including but not limited to some of the types of neurodiverse learning and personality profiles that exist in our school community. Understanding and celebrating these differences sets students up to be more empathetic people and prepares them for the diverse global society they are part of.

Holi

Spring

The Holi Festival is celebrated as a way to welcome spring and is also seen as a new beginning where people can release all their inhibitions and start fresh. Holi, known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu holiday celebrated throughout India and beyond. This celebratory time is honored on campus by wearing all white and throwing colored powder at one another. This is a beloved day amongst students and staff. 

Nowruz

March 21

Nowruz (“now” for new, “ruz” for day) is the traditional Persian festival of spring, which begins at the exact moment of the vernal equinox, the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Nowruz has been celebrated in Iran and the Persian diaspora for more than 3,000 years. It is not a religious holiday but rather a universal celebration of new beginnings: wishing prosperity and welcoming the future while shedding away the past.

An Iconic Nowruz celebration is the creation of a still-life Tableau called Haft-Sin (literally meaning: Seven S’s) in one’s home. A Haft-Sin table display includes at least seven traditional and symbolic items, all bearing names that begin with the letter “S” in Farsi:

  • Seeb (apple) - for health and beauty

  • Serkeh (vinegar) - symbolizes the patience and wisdom

  • Senjed (dried fruit) - stands for love

  • Sumac (sumac spice) - symbolizing sunrise and a new day

  • Seer (garlic) - meant to refer to self-care and medicine

  • Samanu (a sweet wheat-based pudding) - symbolizes fertility and wealth

  • Sabzeh (grass or wheat sprouts) - a symbol of renewal and rebirth

We create a Haft-Sin in our library for all classrooms to come experience and learn from, as well as annually invest in resources and library books to support classroom and campus diversity and inclusion of the Persian culture. 

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May 1 - May 31

AAPIHM is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. 

Throughout the month, we share Asian and Pacific Islander culture through music, demonstrations, and decor around campus. In addition to annual library contributions to upgrade, enhance, and update our selection of classroom and student resources, we also provide in-class resources for integrating the culture into the curriculum level. 

Harvey Milk Day

May 22

Harvey Milk Day is a California state holiday and a day to educate WHPS about the extraordinary California leader whose courageous work to end discrimination set the stage for many of the civil rights advances we see today. We use this day to promote the continuation of advocacy for equal justice and equal opportunity for all Americans and to promote kindness and “Bucketfilling” here at school

We honor Harvey Milk Day with special remarks in our morning assembly about Harvey Milk, his work, and leading with love. We also utilize this time of the year to collect and invest in resources for our library and campus to support and recognize the diversity of our community.