Ethel Walker School
May 24, 2019
Walker’s faculty member and Simsbury resident Carol Clark-Flanagan P’93, ’97 was asked to be a facilitator in a town-wide discussion about the work that needs to be done to build cohesiveness around issues regarding topics of diversity and inclusivity in Simsbury, and to identify action plans going forward. More than 100 people signed up for the five-hour process on Thursday, May 16 at Henry James Memorial School. This cross section of concerned citizens included parents, students, business owners, religious leaders, Board of Education members, teachers, school administrators, social workers and policemen. Also facilitating was Ms. Veena Raghuvir P’22, whose daughter Asha Haug ’22 is a ninth grader at Walker’s.
Mr. Dion Lyons of the Department of Justice Community Relations Service was the primary facilitator and guided everyone through the process. Carol, who has lived in town for 38 years, said, “I have never been prouder to be a Simsbury resident. I applaud the town’s collective willingness to take a hard look at itself and commit to change.” She credits her own awareness and ability to engage in these critical often tough conversations to the wonderful work happening at Walker’s under the direction of Elisa Cardona, the director of social justice and inclusion, that was begun by her predecessor Sheri Schmidt.
Carol will be a member of the newly formed Simsbury Spirit Council.
