Celebrating Our First Week of Belonging

Creating a community where every voice matters and every person feels at home

This September, Nagoya International School (NIS) launched its very first Week of Belonging—a school-wide celebration dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. The initiative brought together students, staff, and families to reflect on what belonging means and how we can nurture it each day.

Why a Week of Belonging?

Belonging is not just a value—it’s at the heart of our mission. Research consistently shows that when students feel a genuine sense of connection, they thrive both academically and socially. The Week of Belonging gave our community the opportunity to pause, learn, and commit to practices that strengthen those connections.

Highlights from the Week

Buddy Lessons:  Across the school, older and younger students paired up for Buddy Lessons—collaborative activities designed to break down age barriers and foster friendships. From art projects to storytelling to cooperative games, these shared experiences encouraged empathy and helped students see one another in new and meaningful ways.

Classroom Dialogues:  During morning homerooms, teachers facilitated age-appropriate conversations on empathy, identity, and allyship. Students reflected on how their everyday choices shape a welcoming community, learning that inclusion starts with small, intentional actions.

Family Engagement:  Parents and guardians were able to join three interactive sessions led by visiting consultant Dr. Eeqbal Hassim:

• NIS Belonging Framework & World Café: An introduction to our newly released framework, developed in alignment with the Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS) Inclusion Framework to share ideas and experiences around inclusion.
  
  
• Bias and Equity: A deep dive into understanding bias and stereotypes—exploring how they affect equity in our communities and how collective responsibility can lead to change.

Teacher Workshops: 

Faculty also engaged in professional learning designed to strengthen classroom and campus practices:

• Creating Psychologically Safe Spaces: Strategies to ensure that every student feels secure, valued, and heard.
• Belonging Framework Launch: An in-depth session with Dr. Hassim on embedding the NIS Belonging Framework into daily teaching and learning.
  
  

How Families Can Stay Involved

Belonging is not a one-week initiative—it’s a daily commitment! Families can continue to nurture it by:

• Asking & Sharing: Talk with your child about what belonging means to them and which activities stood out.
• Participating: Join upcoming parent sessions and community events—your perspective is essential.
• Modeling Inclusion: Small, everyday actions—like greeting new families or celebrating cultural diversity at home—reinforce the message that everyone matters.
  
  

Looking Ahead

The first Week of Belonging was more than an event—it was a step toward building a stronger, more inclusive NIS community. Thank you to all the students, parents, and staff who contributed to its success. Together, we are shaping a school where every individual feels valued, respected, and truly at home.