Anonymous
Attendees will learn strategies to support the work of anti-racist education
Santa Barbara’s local independent schools Montessori Center School, Crane, Laguna Blanca, Riviera Ridge, and Santa Barbara Middle School hosted an anti-bias, antiracist parent webinar for their community members on October 18 with nationally-recognized antiracist educator, teacher, speaker, and advocate Britt Hawthorne. This marks the first collaboration among the five schools, jointly hosting a community discussion focused on social justice.
The event topic, “How to Raise AntiRacist Children,” incorporates tools and tips from Hawthorne’s 2022 New York Times Bestseller, “Raising AntiRacist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide.”
“At Montessori Center School, we are committed to engendering a just and equitable school community,” says MCS’s Interim Head of School Vanessa Jackson. “Thank you to our incredible partners at Crane, Laguna Blanca, Riviera Ridge and SBMS for collaborating with us on this important topic. This event presented a very powerful opportunity for us to continue our work to disrupt and dismantle our own biases so that our children can grow up in an environment where all human differences are celebrated and supported.”
“At Laguna Blanca, we believe diversity, equity and inclusion is an ongoing practice that demands engagement and lifelong learning. This work is rooted in our core values of scholarship, character, balance, and community. We view this as imperative to creating a better future and invite all members of our community to participate in our conversations and solutions.” – Director of DEI Ursula Chan
“Crane School is committed to creating and sustaining a community rooted in equity and justice. Through our programming, curriculum, and events like this, Crane and our partner schools affirm our commitment to building an anti-racist future and a community of critical thinkers capable of reimagining and building a truly beloved community. As our core value Put We Before Me expresses, we believe deeply in the power of collaboration and partnership to overcome division and the -isms that present themselves and to create a strong sense of belonging.” – Michelle Holmes, Crane’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
“At Santa Barbara Middle School, we are committed to fostering an environment that actively promotes inclusivity of all students, their families, and their identities. We are honored and proud to be partnering with our fellow independent schools of Santa Barbara to continue this path forward, together. We look forward to more of these collaborations in the future.” – Bianca Vega, SBMS Assistant Head of School
“The Riviera Ridge School is committed to creating a campus environment that mirrors the cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic composition of our greater community. With diversity comes a responsibility to honor, value, and celebrate individual differences while providing a safe space of inclusion, belonging, and positive interactions among all School community members. We are grateful for being part of this collaboration and we acknowledge the continuous commitment that is needed to have meaningful progress.” – Dr. Mario Bucio, Director of Student Wellness & EIB practices.
About Montessori Center School
Montessori Center School, located in Goleta, California, has provided students ages 18 months through 12 years old with creative and compelling education in a supportive, nurturing environment since 1965. MCS implements the internationally renowned Montessori Method of teaching and works to ensure that the school flourishes for today’s children and for generations to come. To learn more about Montessori Center School, visit mcssb.org.
About Crane
At Crane, doing deepens discovery and learning is a journey, not a destination. We know that engaging not just minds, but also hands and hearts leads to real transformation. Everything that we do is contextualized for the real world through an applied educational experience so that our students learn not only the answers but why they matter. We teach students to find joy in the pursuit, value your voice, cultivate kindness, and put we before me. Crane School serves students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 on our 12-acre campus in Montecito (1795 San Leandro Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108). For admissions and tuition assistance information or to schedule a school tour, contact Erin Guerra, 805-969-7732 ext. 106, or visit www.craneschool.org.
About Laguna Blanca
At Laguna Blanca, it is impossible to fly beneath the radar. Here, deeper relationships, heightened learning, and greater achievement are the norm. The all-encompassing support of teachers, counselors, and coaches ensures Laguna feels like a second home. Our teachers are innovators and provide more than a strong academic foundation. They guide students in the process of self-discovery to ensure success in finding happiness, health, and balance. Intercampus bus and tuition assistance are available. Grades Early Kindergarten through Gr. 4: 260 San Ysidro Rd., Montecito; Grades 5 through 12: 4125 Paloma Dr., Santa Barbara. For information about Laguna Blanca’s programs, contact 805-687-2461 or visit lagunablanca.org
About Riviera Ridge
At Riviera Ridge, we provide student-centered, individualized learning in a joyful and nurturing community, inspiring academic excellence and valuing difference.
The educational vision for each Riviera Ridge graduate is to empower individual potential, inspire purpose beyond self, and cultivate social responsibility as they prepare for high school and beyond. For more information, email info@rivieraridge.org or call 805-569-1811 ext. 131
About Santa Barbara Middle School
Founded in 1976, SANTA BARBARA MIDDLE SCHOOL is an independent co-educational day school specializing in grades 6-9. Our balanced approach to Academics, Creative Arts and Sports, Building Community, and Outdoor Education prepares students for their future by providing a transformative middle school experience. Our saying “Carpe Diem” could not ring more true as students embrace what it means to live in the moment. State standards, project-based learning, and experiential learning guide our academic program, supported by our unique outdoor educational program, which includes biking, camping, exploring the outdoors, and much more. Students become difference-makers by giving back to the local community and cultivating a love for arts and sports through daily electives. We base our approach on mutual respect and an exceptional understanding of the adolescent years. SBMS graduates are admired for their intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, creativity, and “can-do” confidence. 1321 Alameda Padre Serra, Santa Barbara, 805-682-2989; sbms.org
About Britt Hawthorne
Britt Hawthorne (they/she) is the author of the highly-anticipated, New York Times Bestseller, Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide (Simon Element, 2022). Britt is also an antiracist educator, teacher, speaker, visionary, and advocate committed to raising a generation of antiracist children by centering families of the global majority and fostering equitable learning environments for students and children of all ages and backgrounds.
Her work has been recognized by PBS, the National Education Association, Drew Barrymore, Google Edu, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Rice University, the Association Montessori Internationale, and countless more. Britt has traveled extensively to speak at conferences, authored publications, and appeared on podcasts covering social justice, liberation, and equity in education.
This is great and much needed given recent local rants. SBUSD and GUSD should do this as well. Kids need to learn at a young age that racism and bigotry (towards people for how they’re born) is unacceptable. Not all parents instill that sense of morals in their children, as we can clearly see.