Building Belonging through Community

The second annual Day of Belonging on October 18, 2024, united LJCDS students around the theme of Coming Home – Building Belonging through Community. Students, faculty, and staff explored the concept of “home” within their school environment through engaging activities and creative expression, fostering a deeper sense of inclusion, connection, and togetherness.

Lower School students kicked off the day with an inspiring morning assembly featuring spoken word artist Andre Bradford (stage name S.C. Says). Andre invited students to imagine their perfect tree house—a powerful metaphor for feeling at home in their classrooms. Reflecting on what makes them feel safe and welcome, students shared ideas ranging from comfy chairs and favorite foods to bouncy houses and multilingual greetings. Back in their classrooms, they collaborated to craft poems about their ultimate tree houses, celebrating creativity and belonging. 

Teachers read a book about a magic tree house to Early Childhood Center students, sparking their imaginations. Together, they discussed what items they would include in their own dream tree house. Using crayons and paint, the students decorated a poster with a large tree outline, and teachers later added the children’s ideas about how to make it a welcoming place for friends.

In Middle and Upper School, Andre and fellow spoken word artist Natasha Hooper led interactive workshops on poetry and self-expression. Students explored their voices through writing and creative storytelling, building connections with themselves and their peers.

Middle School advisories focused on the power of empathy for community-building. Students participated in exercises that encouraged vulnerability and practiced listening with curiosity and understanding instead of judgment. These activities strengthened their “empathy muscles,” reinforcing the foundations of trust and support in their classrooms and beyond.

Upper School advisories dove into conversations about what makes LJCDS feel like home and what contributes to a welcoming environment. Discussions included whether they could see themselves returning for reunions in the future and brainstorming ways to foster belonging on campus. Each grade created a Word Cloud reflecting their associations with “home” and LJCDS, visually capturing the heart of their reflections.

The activities extended to the broader LJCDS community with Passion Modules and Human Libraries, during which alumni, parents, faculty, and staff shared their skills and stories. Upper School students engaged in meaningful conversations, exploring shared experiences and gaining fresh perspectives. Passion Modules included hands-on sessions like budgeting and taxes, yoga, wellness practices, gardening, pickleball, flamenco dance, fitness, small talk tips, connecting through card games with Head of School Jeff Terwin, Ph.D., and even meme analysis. These activities further strengthened connections across the school.

During lunch, Torrey Walk buzzed with energy as affinity groups set up tables and a DJ filled the air with music. Meanwhile, Andre and Natasha performed spoken word in the Four Flowers Theater, inspiring the community through their art. The day concluded in the gym with a spirited Homecoming Pep Rally, bringing Middle and Upper School students together to celebrate school pride and community spirit.

At LJCDS, creating an environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued remains a core priority. This year’s Day of Belonging exemplified this mission through shared experiences, creativity, collaboration—and plenty of cheering.