Page 6 - 2017/2018 Salesanium Annual Report

Mission & Effectiveness
Salesianum has never
been about a specific type of student. To the extent possible, we try to accommodate every young man who wishes to
be part of something bigger than himself. To this end, we provide a wide array of classes, activities and services to serve the wide range of gifts and abilities among our student population. Ultimately, success at Salesianum is measured
by more than mere academic output. Rather, it is measured by transformation, maturation and growth. That’s what our mission to educate the whole person calls us to do, and that remains our focus.
In this regard, Salesianum has been recently tested, with issues surrounding race negatively bubbling up and resulting in some students of color feeling different, isolated and, in some extreme instances, intimidated. Sadly, while racism is not new, and nearly all schools and institutions deal with the complex challenges it presents, Salesianum is a different kind of institution. The spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and Jesus’ Gospel
message to stand with those who are marginalized or persecuted are stitched into the very fabric of the institution. Therefore, we are called to act justly, but also gently and
with patience, helping our students grow and understand a complex issue that requires both context and empathy. That message of empathy was delivered loud and clear by Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy, the 2017-18 One School, One Book selection. Mr. Stevenson’s presence on campus in September 2017 not only animated some of
the heart-wrenching narratives from his book, but he set the tone for the year in his exhortation to everyone — students and faculty alike — to get proximate to injustice. It’s a message that our school community has not forgotten, and it sits at the heart of our honest dialogue and reflection regarding racism and injustice.
Salesianum will continue to address instances of racism transparently and directly, and we’re working
to better equip teachers in the classroom and making changes
to the curriculum to include more diverse perspectives. To this end, the 2017–18 school year saw the advent of a new position, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, staffed by DeVon Jackson, to work with students and teachers to create an environment where diversity of perspective is valued. While the
4 SALESIANUM SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT | 2017-18