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Bank Street School for Children Students & Faculty Talk About Race on WNYC

Naila Strong (center) during a discussion on what it means to be white with her seventh grade classmates at the Bank Street School (Richard Yeh/WNYC)
Naila Strong (center) during a discussion on what it means to be white with her seventh-grade classmates at the Bank Street School for Children (Richard Yeh/WNYC)

Over the past several months, WNYC has produced a series of audio and video segments about what it’s like to be a 12-year-old, called “Being 12.” The installment that aired on July 8, focused on how 12-year-olds and their teachers grapple with the sometimes personal and difficult conversations associated with race and diversity. We are proud that School for Children 7th graders and our curricular work were highlighted in this latest installment – listen to the story and read more about the series.

The accompanying video segment features four of our Upper School students answering the question “who am I?” It is a profound experience to hear from our children and other 12-year-olds on these issues.

In many ways, what you see and hear is a result of the intentional work around diversity and community that begins in the Lower School, expresses itself through the Racial Justice & Advocacy curriculum in the Middle School, and is absolutely reflected throughout the curriculum of the entire school, including the affinity group spaces that we provide for children, faculty and parents.

We are extremely proud of our students for their deep thinking and their ability to articulate their awareness of these issues, and to the faculty for their commitment to providing a challenging and progressive curriculum that addresses all aspects of development.