I See You
Sawubona. It’s an African Zulu greeting that means “I see you.” But it goes much deeper than that. For me, it speaks to the heart of inclusivity. “I see your personality. I see your humanity. I see your dignity.” As I continue to work with my colleagues at Graland, my hope is that everyone is seen within the Graland community.
Graland is a school that pays attention to the whole child, and I felt a sense of joy from the moment I stepped onto campus for my interview. This space belonged to all, and they were at ease and at home. Albeit a long day for me, it was a delight to be in a space that simply felt right.
At Graland
At Graland
As an institution, we are working hard to “see” our students, families, faculty, and staff as a part of the whole. Without each, we wouldn’t be the school we are. As educators, we spend a great deal of time with your children, and our focus on the whole child allows us to see students taking healthy risks in and out of traditional classroom settings. Whether it’s standing in front of one’s classmates to share a message, working one’s way through a high or low-ropes course, being on stage, or working with a partner in the Gates Invention and Innovation Lab, we see our students and encourage them to see each other. With the addition of a more robust Student Support Team (SST), we are educators who see our students as individuals with unique learning styles.
In the Middle School
Middle school students start their school day in advisory. Because it breaks the larger group into smaller communities, advisory is a safe space that is an integral part of a Graland education. Our advisors follow a curriculum that is in line with Graland’s Guiding Principles and allows for a common language that is essential for growth.
Middle Schoolers are also given choice within their school day. Music, sports, and clubs are areas where students can pursue their interests and passions and be seen. By creating pathways that give students exposure to a myriad of activities, students have the opportunity to explore and try new things. Our club offerings, from knitting to kickball to debate to garage band to fantasy football to service learning, respect the developmental growth of our students, giving them a necessary break from the academic day to explore and play.
Simply put, we are creating a space for dialogue and true human interaction where all students can be seen and heard in and out of the classroom.
Graland Families
We see our families and the diversity each one brings to our community. All families are invited to participate in affinity groups where parents share experiences, learn from each other and strengthen our community. Please take a moment to review the extensive list of affinity groups available to you; I encourage you to get involved on this level if there is a group that sparks your interest. If you have an idea for a new affinity group, reach out to Oscar Gonzalez, Director of Equity and Inclusivity, for more information.
Affinity Groups at Graland
Affinity Groups at Graland
Parents of Students of Color
International Families
New Families to Graland
Dads’ Basketball League
Parents of Students with Learning Differences
Parents of Middle School Boys
Mindfulness
Modern Families
Family and Faculty of Students with Sensory Challenges
Parents of an Only Child
As Educators
We see our faculty who work to model the same growth mindset we hope to instill in each child. In addition to the professional development that has always existed, faculty and staff are supported in their personal and professional growth which all have an impact on the school community. Last year, many faculty and staff members participated in the year-long Differentiation and Diversity and Equity Cohorts, and work continues with new participants in the Diversity and Equity Cohort this year.
Faculty and staff also participate in professional development days that are scheduled throughout the school year. Generous funding from Graland gives faculty and staff members an opportunity to participate in additional opportunities such as NAIS’ People of Color Conference, Learning and the Brain conferences, and SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), among others.
Diversity is about the numbers, whereas inclusivity is about making those numbers count. As one of the newest members to Graland’s administrative team, I am committed to seeing and hearing the voices of all who make up our wonderful community.
A Denver native, Marti joined Graland as our head of Middle School in 2017. She has a master’s degree in curriculum and pedagogy and a bachelor’s degree in English and African American studies with a minor in music. Marti is dedicated to creating a safe space where students are challenged academically and supported in their social-emotional growth.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
