Social Justice
Social justice is at the core of the Berkwood Hedge curriculum. We encourage children to think critically and consider different viewpoints, to listen, question, probe, and challenge. This leads not only to intellectual and emotional growth, but also helps children develop an appreciation for their own perceptions, and a sense of their own agency.
Our comprehensive program highlights social justice issues at every level. Starting in kindergarten, children talk openly about the beauty and diversity of their eyes, hair, skin, freckles, glasses, hearing aids - anything that makes them unique and celebrates the common threads. This exploration continues through the grades, culminating with a fifth grade study of colonialism, reading primary and secondary sources to discuss and understand different historical perspectives.
We reinforce our curriculum by supporting discussions of social justice issues as they arise in our students' day-to-day lives. The process of creating classroom agreements, the balance of power in friendships, whether third grade girls can play with second grade boys, a newspaper article about racial profiling - we find no shortage of subjects to consider in classroom discussions.
Social justice discussions often translate into action. Students have stenciled storm drains to protect the watershed, collected supplies for pets victimized during Hurricane Katrina and raised money through the "Soup's On" lunch program for local social justice organizations.
Berkwood Hedge students are not intimidated about seeking solutions to complicated problems. Our philosophy creates a learning community that enables children to develop into empowered participants creating positive changes in our world.