Dear Alumni,

 

We are grateful for the opportunity to return to in person instruction as we start the 2020-21 school year. And yet, we note that the start to this school year is unlike any other. Our nation faces some deep divides, whether it be in politics, COVID-19 and discussions around constitutional rights, or the economy. The call for racial equity this summer has brought protests, demonstrations, and riots across the country on a scale not seen by this current generation of young people. Throughout history black Americans have fought for change with resilience, determination, and a willingness to sacrifice personal safety and comfort. The year 2020 has witnessed an unprecedented multi-racial, 50-state movement to defeat systemic racism. At DC we have heard from students, parents, and alumni who have shared their experiences of racial bias, cultural blindness, and marginalization within our community. DC is committed to improving race relations in our community. Our efforts will be ongoing; we re-commit ourselves to promote equity and justice and to keep it at the forefront of our thinking, planning, and decision-making as an educational institution and in our community life conversations. 

In an open letter on June 23, 2020, I expressed our school's conviction that racism is sinful and offensive. Over the last several weeks, I have listened to students and parents who have shared their experiences of racial bias, cultural blindness, and marginalization within our community. Most recently, alumni voices are raising awareness of troubling experiences during their years at DC.

 

These experiences highlight how we have fallen short of our biblical mandate to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly, as well as our core value of community. On behalf of Delaware County Christian School, I have addressed these recently shared experiences in a letter posted to our website August 18, 2020. This letter also updates our community on the action steps we will take to address racial issues in our community.

On September 2, Pastor Ray Garcia officially started as our Director of Diversity and Inclusion. In this part time role, Ray will partner closely with the Head of School as a member of the Executive Leadership Team to provide guidance and accountability to deliver on the diversity action steps for the 2020-21 school year and beyond. Ray is the lead pastor of Roxborough Church in Philadelphia and serves as the Executive Director of The Philadelphia Project.

Our faculty and staff have completed two professional development training sessions on race, racism, and racial division. Ongoing professional development will continue into the year and our students will engage in the conversation beginning this week in Advisee Groups.

 

As part of the Board of Trustee's ongoing commitment to diversity, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Naomi Hepkins Poyser '02 to the Board of Trustees. Naomi and her husband Stephen are parents of two sons both of whom attend DC. During her time as a DC parent, she has demonstrated her commitment to the Lord as well as Christian education as a member of the Alumni Council and the Lower School Parent Volunteer Organization as well as serving as a homeroom mom. The Poyser family attends New Testament Church of God where she serves on the Pastor's Council and previously served as a Young Adult Ministry Coordinator.

 

Professionally, Naomi earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and serves as a physical therapist and rehabilitation manager at Bayada Home Health Care.

 

Racial bias, cultural blindness, and marginalization are deeply biblical and important issues that deserve conversation. Our response and actions moving forward are not simple and should not be simplistic. Scripture reminds us that we are jars of clay, a broken people who make up broken organizations (2 Cor. 4:7-18). While we wrestle with sin and dysfunction in our day-to-day interactions, we are called to reconciliation and peace. Reconciliation comes through repentance and restoration. It is in these moments we see the great truths of justification and sanctification. Through the work of Christ on the cross, we are fully justified in God's holy presence. Even so, we recognize the work of sanctification: God loves us too much to leave us as we are; daily we are to be transformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

 

I look forward to seeing God continue to work in the year ahead. As always, I am available to meet with any alumni who wish to discuss this further.

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Dan Steinfield

Head of School