Celebrating 110 Years of Excellence in Education
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12
About Hamden Hall
Commitment to Diversity
Our Commitment to Diversity at Hamden Hall starts with our core values: Excellence, Support, Participation, Accountability, and Respect. Taken as a whole, our core values are paradigmatic of the standards and principles that are the foundation of The Hamden Hall Experience for all members of our school community.
For our Hamden Hall family to truly function properly, we must take great care to embrace our core values while recognizing the individuality of each of our community members. We are one united community but we are also diverse in our self-identities and cultural experiences.
“We continually talk at Hamden Hall about the need to speak up or take a stand when we see or hear something that violates one of our core values. We talk about being an ally, not a bystander,” said Head of School Bob Izzo.
To ensure that we continually grow and progress, we reaffirm each school year our commitment to equity, fairness, justice, and cultural cognizance through activities and programming as supported by our Office of Inclusion, Equity & Diversity.
For our Hamden Hall family to truly function properly, we must take great care to embrace our core values while recognizing the individuality of each of our community members. We are one united community but we are also diverse in our self-identities and cultural experiences.
“We continually talk at Hamden Hall about the need to speak up or take a stand when we see or hear something that violates one of our core values. We talk about being an ally, not a bystander,” said Head of School Bob Izzo.
To ensure that we continually grow and progress, we reaffirm each school year our commitment to equity, fairness, justice, and cultural cognizance through activities and programming as supported by our Office of Inclusion, Equity & Diversity.
Diversity Awareness
Following the foundational Diversity Program in 2006 with co-administrators Robyn Teplitzky and Suzanne Hamlin-Smith, the Office of Inclusion, Equity & Diversity continues to advocate for safe spaces while embracing difference.
Hamden Hall earned the official designation, No Place for Hate, in 2020 by the Anti-Defamation League. Since that time, we continue to stand up for equity, inclusion, and acceptance as exhibited by our school-wide pledge and banner.
Each month, the Office of Inclusion, Equity & Diversity disseminates an educational communication titled Observances and Celebrations in honor of all U.S. holidays and observances throughout the year.
Faculty and students annually attend the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference, a multiracial, multicultural gathering of student leaders from across the country and abroad.
The inaugural Walk Against Hate took place on October 16, 2022, and will be an annual tradition for the school in conjunction with the ADL. Participants gather on campus and walk to St. Thomas Church on Whitney Avenue.
Hamden Hall is proud to be among 63 schools across the nation to pilot the College Board's AP African American Studies course. The pilot program launched during the 2022-2023 school year under the leadership of Dr. Hill, who was instrumental in developing course content as a member of the College Board's Course Development Committee.
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Upper School Community Celebrates Black History Month
February marks the month-long celebration of Black History Month, and to honor important figures throughout history, sophomore Peighton Alston and senior Konye Taylor, president and vice president of the Black Student Union respectively, have been sending out daily emails featuring quotes and fun facts about notable people in Black history. The correspondences include scholar Carter G. Woodson, civil rights activist and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, mathematician for NASA Katherine Johnson, and many more.Read More Add Comment -
Lunar New Year Celebrations Under the Pines
Read More Add CommentJanuary 22 marked the start of Lunar New Year, a multi-day celebration that signals the arrival of spring in many Asian cultures. From classroom activities and projects, to art shows and assemblies, all three divisions are taking part in celebrating and learning more about the holiday and its traditions. -
Student Organizations Honor Cultural Traditions
Cross-cultural festivities foster a sense of community, and students in the Jewish Student Union and Hispanic Student Union came together prior to the holiday break to celebrate and learn more about each other’s respective traditions and customs.Read More Add Comment -
Hamden Hall Pledges That It’s A ‘No Place for Hate’ Environment
The Hamden Hall community will officially kick-off its commitment to being “No Place for Hate” with the Walk Against Hate on Sunday, October 16, at 11:30 a.m. Participants will meet at the Whitney Street Campus courtyard and walk to St. Thomas Church on Whitney Avenue. Students, faculty, families, and friends are all welcome – as are their pets!Read More Add Comment -
JSU Breaks Ground On A Holocaust Memorial Garden
Members of the Jewish Student Union gathered outside the ACK Building with shovels in hand to break ground on the new Holocaust Memorial Garden.Read More Add Comment -
First AP African American Studies Course Launched
Earlier this year, Hamden Hall was selected by the College Board as one of 63 schools nationwide to pilot a new course, AP African American Studies, with Director of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Dr. Lisa Hill at the helm. Now the pilot program has launched for the 2022-2023 academic year.Read More Add Comment -
A Day of Lunar New Year Celebrations Under the Pines
From an acrobat performance to a student-led Zoom session to stories of Chinese history, all three school communities celebrated Lunar New Year during last Friday’s assemblies.Read More Add Comment -
Hamden Hall Selected For Pilot AP Course in African American Studies
Hamden Hall has been selected by the College Board as one of 60 schools to pilot a new course, AP African American Studies, with Director of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Dr. Lisa Hill serving on the oversight committee.Read More Add Comment -
Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day
In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day this week, teachers crafted different activities to introduce students to the stories and cultural contributions of the Indigenous communities that are woven throughout our history.Read More Add Comment -
Be Kind, Words Don’t Rewind - Students Unite in Orange
Under the pines, there is no place for hate. The Hamden Hall community stands together for kindness, equity, and acceptance as exhibited Friday in a school-wide sea of orange on Unity Day.Read More Add Comment -
Hamden Hall Earns 'No Place for Hate' Designation
Hamden Hall is proud to be among eight Connecticut schools who have earned the designation "No Place For Hate" by the ADL - Anti-Defamation League.Read More Add Comment -
Asian Student Union Forms to Bring Attention and Understanding to Cultural Differences
In celebration of National Asian Heritage Month, members of the newly formed Asian Student Union will introduce themselves at tomorrow’s Upper School Assembly and bring awareness of their mission.Read More Add Comment -
Black Student Union Makes Its Voice Heard Via Black History Month Video
The Black Student Union is Hamden Hall's newest club, and despite its recent formation, was already able to pull off a major undertaking: the creation of a video that was presented during an assembly last week in celebration of Black History Month.Read More Add Comment -
No Place for Hate Under the Pines
There’s no place for hate under the pines, and a new school-wide initiative will further ensure that our campuses remain open, inclusive spaces that are welcoming to all.Read More Add Comment -
Hamden Hall Well-Represented at 2020 NAIS Online Student Diversity Leadership Conference
Upper School students attended the 2020 NAIS Online Student Diversity Leadership Conference along with Dr. Lisa Hill, Director of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity, and faculty member Yasmin Haque.Read More Add Comment -
Hamden Hall's Commitment to Diversity
Head of School Bob Izzo and Dr. Lisa Hill, Director of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity, reaffirm Hamden Hall's commitment to being an equitable and inclusive school community.Read More Add Comment -
Dr. Lisa Hill Appointed Director of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity
Read More Add CommentA Special Announcement from Head of School Bob Izzo:I am pleased to announce that Dr. Lisa Hill has been appointed Hamden Hall’s Director of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity. -
Hamden Hall Hosts Powerful Message of Hope
An unexpected friendship between a Sikh and a former skinhead made for a powerful story that was shared with the greater community at a spring presentation co-hosted by Hamden Hall and ADL Connecticut.Read More Add Comment
Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Facilitators
Director of Inclusion, Equity & Diversity:
“We are committed to making positive, enduring changes that will make Hamden Hall stand out as one of the leaders of social equity in the greater New Haven area.”
Student Diversity Committee Coordinators:
“We are committed to making positive, enduring changes that will make Hamden Hall stand out as one of the leaders of social equity in the greater New Haven area.”
Student Diversity Committee Coordinators:
Diversity Opportunities Under the Pines
Hamden Hall offers many opportunities for students to get involved in clubs, groups, and unions that fall under our Diversity umbrella. The following is a brief overview of each:
- Diversity Committee - Members of this group work with the entire school community to develop and implement programs to build connections, reduce stereotypes and prejudices on campus, and increase cultural, religious, racial, and sexual orientation awareness in a safe environment. The Diversity Committee is comprised of students and faculty members and collaborates with other campus organizations to be inclusive. Members of the committee organize educational campus programs and invite guest speakers to provide personal testimony of their own experiences on many different topics. Members of the Diversity Committee also have the opportunity to participate in leadership and diversity conferences throughout the year.
- Multicultural Student Interests - This committee was created to develop and implement a program to reduce prejudices and discrimination on campus, increase cultural, religious, racial and ethnic awareness, and to provide students a safe environment to be able to discuss difficult issues. The committee implements programs to educate faculty, students, and parents. All-campus events have included National Mix It Up Day, Cinco de Mayo celebration, Multicultural Monday newsletters, topical speakers, Black History Month, and more. Outside resources are consulted for programs on leadership including participation in a statewide conference.
- Pride Alliance - The goal of the Pride Alliance is to provide a safe, supportive, and all-inclusive space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-binary, queer/questioning, asexual members, and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. The Pride Alliance also works to educate faculty, staff and students about important issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community.
- Asian Student Union - The mission statement of this Union is as follows: “The Hamden Hall Asian Students Union strives to foster inclusivity, equity, and anti-racism in the Hamden Hall Community and beyond. We recognize the immense diversity of Asia and Asian people, and we are inclusive to Asians of all backgrounds.”
- Black Student Union - The affinity group's overarching mission is "to have a safe and communal space on campus and to provide Black students at Hamden Hall with an opportunity to foster a sense of belonging at their school." During the 2020-2021 school year, the group organized a Black History Month presentation highlighting Black Americans and their impact on history.
- Jewish Student Union - The Jewish Student Union will work in solidarity with other affinity groups, and promote shared experiences to create a more inclusive community. We would like to integrate our core values into the Hamden Hall community, such as spreading light onto one another and creating an environment that enables everyone to live to their fullest potential.
- Hispanic Student Union - A place for Hispanic students to feel represented and safe and to further educate non-Hispanic students on Hispanic Culture.
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Hamden Hall is No Place For Hate
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Hamden Hall Country Day School
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
About Us
Hamden Hall Country Day School is a nurturing and inclusive community with a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
