The StG Blog

When reduced to its essence, JEDI at StG is belonging. It is ensuring and reinforcing that every child feels safe, valued, included and supported at St. George’s. As parents, this gives us the confidence that each of our children is loved for who they are and feels a sense of belonging every day they walk through the doors of their classes. Our faculty, staff and administration do a wonderful job of weaving the principles of JEDI into the fabric of StG, of instilling in our children the values that recognize the dignity and worth of every human being. 

The evening's program included scripture readings, performances by 1st-4th grade singers and 6th and 8th grade Orff music students and celebrations of our Lelong Family Betsey King Award recipient and faculty and staff reaching 10, 20 and 30 years of service to the school.

You never know what small gifts you give will make the biggest difference.

JEDI at St. George's refers to our community's work for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. In our first blog post of the 2022-2023 school year, Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell—trustee, parent and JEDI Task Force chair—reminds us that, "Change requires us to get uncomfortable," but also that, "We cannot exercise our core values (perseverance, integrity, respect and compassion) without also making St. George's a place where everyone feels them."

St. George's 5th graders visited the Tate, Etienne & Prevost Interpretive Center this week and received an opportunity to tour with, interview and learn from Leona Tate, one of the three girls to integrate what was then McDonogh 19 Elementary School (now the TEP Center). Dr. Kreutziger recounts the trip and the students' valuable experience, as well as Ms. Tate's challenge to stay positive and focused.

Today's blog post by StG parent and Registered Dietician Nutritionist Julie Canseco provides a plethora of recommendations and ideas to answer the age-old question of, "What should I pack my kid for lunch today?" 

Kate Remillard, incoming Interim Director of Lower School, writes about her journey to teaching and introduces Growing Minds, an initiative driven by St. George's educators with a goal "to expand our knowledge and use of books that reflect a diverse racial, cultural or religious perspective, as well as those that feature characters with different intellectual and physical abilities or unique social-emotional struggles. Our name, Growing Minds, comes from the idea that we have so much to gain from taking a peek into another's perspective and seeing our own perspectives reflected back to us. This is how we grow our minds and open our thoughts to the world around us."

Dr. Kreutziger recounts a busy but magical Mardi Gras Friday at St. George's: "Masks off and guard down, right now I choose to embrace a Mardi Gras and a city and our school resuming the traditions and culture that make us uniquely special. This day, none of it needed to be reimagined or curtailed. Perhaps last Friday afforded me such joy because of what I’d forgotten—or more precisely, what I’ve been missing for too long."

St. George's parent, trustee and JEDI Task Force member Jonathan Leit has authored this incredibly meaningful post, which also includes a must-watch video interview component. The interviewee and subject of his writing is Leona Tate, who in 1960, with Gail Etienne and Tessie Prevost, desegregated McDonogh 19 in the Lower 9th Ward at 6 years of age and later joined Ruby Bridges at William Frantz Elementary School in 4th grade.

What I love about StG is that our students are never defined in a singular way. They are more than their gifts and certainly more than any challenges they face, whether it be a learning disability or anything else. The acceptance, support and compassion that the faculty and student body share allows for real embodiment of “well-rounded” — not a student who is athletic, intelligent and artistic, but a student who is confident and knows how they learn best and can thrive in any setting beyond our 'casita' on Napoleon Avenue, whose magic comes from the faculty behind the doors of each classroom.

JEDI work at St. George’s is ingrained in so much that we do on a regular, daily basis. The goals of fostering a sense of belonging for each and every student and sharing new and different perspectives are especially embedded within our school’s emphasis on project work. Today’s blog post, written by StG Project Coach Rebecca Teall, connects the importance of trust, connections, communication and inquiry to project-based learning and community within the classroom and school.

December is a month of celebration! At St. George’s, as we embrace justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, we honor the diversity of religious beliefs in our community. We believe that our school is a place of belonging. We encourage you to read and learn about faiths that may be different from your own and celebrate with them throughout the month of December.

St. George's students in all divisions meet with School Chaplain James Post beginning in Pre-K3. He meets with them at various times during the day, as well as in varied locations, including the outdoors. He writes this week's blog post after reflecting on the "Eureka!" moment of one Pre-K3 Magnolia student during chapel and his perspective on all of creation as sacred.

"So that is grace, is it not? Something freely given in the moment, a gift from God, generous of spirit, and that uplifts those around you. That would have been more than enough." Dr. Kreutziger writes about the grace and hope given to St. George's from our friends in Lake Charles at Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School.

Thank you, StG community, for a very successful Give St. George’s Day 2021! We are blown away by the generosity of our 112 donors that resulted in a total of $54,345 given in 24 hours. Read more about Give StG Day on our blog!

Did you know? Research shows that 1 in 5 people are impacted by dyslexia, and dyslexia often runs in families. St. George's Resource specialists are passionate about supporting students with dyslexia and their parents/guardians. Learn more about the learning disability in today's blog post from Sherri Weiser, Director of Resource Services.

In this school year's first monthly JEDI blog, St. George's Spanish Teacher Señor Jake Guth reflects on his journey as a World Languages teacher, the intertwined study of languages and culture and the opportunity he has to foster inclusivity and help students create a sense of belonging for others. His post today teaches us more about Hispanic Heritage Month— especially its title— and the meaning of more and more commonly seen term Latinx.

"St. George’s has the resources to be exactly the right school for each child, and the values learned at school help [my daughters] admire each others’ strengths and give support during tough moments."

"Two Daughters, One School" was originally published in the St. George's Episcopal School magazine, Accolade, in the 2020-2021 publication. Jennifer Coleman, the author, is the mother of Evangeline (3rd) and Vivienne (2nd).

Today's post includes a reflection from our St. George's Chaplain, James Post, on the Gospel of John. He writes, "The love of God is known in profound sharing, as well as in profound fear. It is found in where we have been and in where we are going. Found in our triumphs and collapses. Found in our regrets and in our hopes."