News
A Message from GPS Senior Leadership Team
The Board of Trustees and senior leadership at GPS are committed to continuing the discussions of diversity and, more specifically, racism.
Dear GPS Community:
Amidst the national and international conversations happening now, GPS, as a community, recognizes its position and responsibility in educating young women of character to understand that yes, Black lives matter. They matter every day, without caveat or condition or circumstance.
However, we realize that saying Black lives matter is not a sufficient action unto itself. The past few weeks have presented many opportunities to listen, and what we hear is our actions and not our words demonstrate our commitment to equity and belonging for our Black students, alumnae, colleagues, and other constituents.
Could we as a school community do more? Absolutely. We recognize our current offerings are not enough and will continue to educate ourselves and our students, listen thoughtfully to those who want to share, seek to learn more about the lived experiences of our students and faculty of color, and endeavor to make positive changes. We also acknowledge that we can do better to not only educate ourselves and our students but also be better informed as to what microaggressions might be occurring in and outside of the classrooms.
LOOKING FORWARD
The Board of Trustees and senior leadership at GPS are committed to continuing the discussions of diversity and, more specifically, racism. As referenced in an earlier communication by Board Chair Dr. Becca Stimson '73, we invite you to Town Halls to share experiences and ideas and where the trustees, senior leadership, and other interested members of our community can listen and engage with you and your comments. We intend to make these listening forums as interactive as possible. While some work is ongoing and actions are being taken, what is heard and discussed in these virtual platforms will help guide our next steps at GPS. These are listening sessions with actions to follow; your experiences and what you share will inform our next steps.
DATES AND TIMES* FOR TOWN HALLS
Tuesday, June 23, at 7 p.m.; open only to Black alumnae. Please reach out to Board of Trustee member Johnel Angel Evans ’92 to receive the Zoom link to this meeting.
Wednesday, June 24, at 12 p.m.; open to all community constituents
Thursday, June 25 at 7 p.m.; open to all community constituents
*All times are Eastern Standard
We invite you to learn more about our current program and the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives undertaken in recent years at GPS with faculty, staff, and students; click here to read. Additionally we have committed to the following steps for the near future at GPS:
Amidst the national and international conversations happening now, GPS, as a community, recognizes its position and responsibility in educating young women of character to understand that yes, Black lives matter. They matter every day, without caveat or condition or circumstance.
However, we realize that saying Black lives matter is not a sufficient action unto itself. The past few weeks have presented many opportunities to listen, and what we hear is our actions and not our words demonstrate our commitment to equity and belonging for our Black students, alumnae, colleagues, and other constituents.
Could we as a school community do more? Absolutely. We recognize our current offerings are not enough and will continue to educate ourselves and our students, listen thoughtfully to those who want to share, seek to learn more about the lived experiences of our students and faculty of color, and endeavor to make positive changes. We also acknowledge that we can do better to not only educate ourselves and our students but also be better informed as to what microaggressions might be occurring in and outside of the classrooms.
LOOKING FORWARD
The Board of Trustees and senior leadership at GPS are committed to continuing the discussions of diversity and, more specifically, racism. As referenced in an earlier communication by Board Chair Dr. Becca Stimson '73, we invite you to Town Halls to share experiences and ideas and where the trustees, senior leadership, and other interested members of our community can listen and engage with you and your comments. We intend to make these listening forums as interactive as possible. While some work is ongoing and actions are being taken, what is heard and discussed in these virtual platforms will help guide our next steps at GPS. These are listening sessions with actions to follow; your experiences and what you share will inform our next steps.
DATES AND TIMES* FOR TOWN HALLS
Tuesday, June 23, at 7 p.m.; open only to Black alumnae. Please reach out to Board of Trustee member Johnel Angel Evans ’92 to receive the Zoom link to this meeting.
Wednesday, June 24, at 12 p.m.; open to all community constituents
Thursday, June 25 at 7 p.m.; open to all community constituents
*All times are Eastern Standard
We invite you to learn more about our current program and the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives undertaken in recent years at GPS with faculty, staff, and students; click here to read. Additionally we have committed to the following steps for the near future at GPS:
- Creating a leadership role to further diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
- Offering summer and school-year SEED groups with students, faculty, and staff
- Increasing diversity in our faculty, staff, and student body
- Exploring the creation of student affinity groups
- Developing an Alumnae Council DEI committee
If you are unable to attend one of the Town Halls or would prefer to share your experiences as a student of color at GPS through a private conversation or email, feel free to reach out to any member of our senior leadership team, whose names and contact information are linked below.
Thank you for your time and commitment to making Girls Preparatory School a place of belonging and inclusion for all.
Here’s to the Girls,
Dr. Autumn A. Graves
Head of School
GPS Senior Leadership Team
Ali Gant
Chief Development Officer
Jenise Gordon
Head of Upper School
Lynne Macziewski
Head of Middle School
Bilda Acuña Small
Chief Enrollment & Communications Officer
Mark Vosskamp
Chief Financial Officer
Jay Watts
Director of Athletics
Thank you for your time and commitment to making Girls Preparatory School a place of belonging and inclusion for all.
Here’s to the Girls,
Dr. Autumn A. Graves
Head of School
GPS Senior Leadership Team
Ali Gant
Chief Development Officer
Jenise Gordon
Head of Upper School
Lynne Macziewski
Head of Middle School
Bilda Acuña Small
Chief Enrollment & Communications Officer
Mark Vosskamp
Chief Financial Officer
Jay Watts
Director of Athletics
