JEDI conversations are infused throughout our curriculum. From discussing gender and gender norms in 1st grade, to diving into class novels such as 4th Grade’s El Deafo by CeCe Bell, to 6th Grade’s capstone Purpose Learning course, JEDI topics are covered in developmentally appropriate ways PK-6. We are always revisiting our curriculum and looking for new ways to share more perspectives and stories. Our work is informed by research and highly experienced JEDI practitioners in Los Angeles and beyond.

In addition to incorporating JEDI into our regular classes, we also have four days throughout the school year where we focus on each letter of "JEDI" at every grade level. We end each of these special days with a whole school assembly and a parent education and connection event. Check out the programming on our 2021-2022 JEDI Days HERE.

In K-6th Grades, each grade level has a dedicated class block per week just dedicated to teaching towards our Flourish Traits and our JEDI Learning Goals, inspired by Learning for Justice’s Social Justice Standards and Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves.

An important part of our JEDI programming is supporting our students in bringing their full identities to school. Here are a few examples:

• Supporting a group of 5th & 6th grade AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) students and allies in creating a month-long series of events for AAPI Heritage Month in May during the 20-21 and 21-22 school years

• Supporting two 4th Grade students in bringing Holi to Echo Horizon

• Creating a series of Upper Elementary JEDI/SEL lessons around gender norms after students wondered about some of the stereotypes they had been hearing

• Creating opportunities for students to share their holidays and traditions at school, sometimes inviting their families in to share, too!

Our JEDI work extends beyond our classrooms. Here is some of the adult-facing work we do:

JEDI Committee: This faculty, staff, and parent committee works together to support JEDI programming, discuss current events, and work collaboratively on JEDI initiatives at Echo Horizon.

Faculty/Staff Professional Development Sessions & Curricular Support: The JEDI team creates at least five EHS-specific professional development sessions for our faculty and staff each year, in addition to bringing in outside experts to support our adult learning. Past experts include Monique Marshall and Dr. Bettina Love. We also send teachers to conferences, such as the National Association of Independent School’s People of Color Conference (PoCC). The JEDI team also supports teachers in developing lessons and unit plans.

Family Education Events: The JEDI team hosts a site-specific community and learning opportunity for caregivers in association with each JEDI Day. The JEDI team has also led parent education sessions for new families and the Parent Association.

Speaker Events: We are thrilled to be a partner in Critical Conversations. Critical Conversations has hosted Ibram X. Kendi, Isabel Wilkerson, Loretta J. Ross, Van Jones, and Mark Bradford. In addition to continuing our partnership with Critical Conversations we will also be hosting on-site speakers in connection with our JEDI days during the 2022-2023 school year.

Adult Affinity Spaces: The JEDI team supports WARM Space (white anti-racist meeting space) and the Faculty and Staff of Color affinity spaces. The JEDI team also collaborates with the Parent Association in support of their affinity spaces, which currently include:

• Parents of Students with Varying Abilities

• Parents of African-American/Black Students

• White Anti-racist Parents

• Havurah (Parents of Jewish Students)

• LGBTQIA+ Parents

• Parents of Asian American and Pacific Islander Students

• Parents of Multiracial/Multi-ethnic Students

• Nuestra Cultura (Parents of Latino/Hispanic Students)

Additionally, the Echo Center holds a number of community events for Echo Center parents and caregivers. Echo Horizon is also a sponsor of Private School Village, which is a unique community of support, created for Black independent school families by Black independent school families.