When Leigh Foran moved from New York City to Westport, Long Lots Elementary School classmates asked, “What are you?” Others made fun of the food she ate.
At Bedford Middle School, a girl wore a shirt with Japanese writing. “Ask Leigh what it means,” someone suggested.
“I don’t speak Japanese,” she says. “I’m half Korean, and half Irish.”
Lindsey Price had a different experience with differences. At a Westport “Stop Asian Hate” rally in 2021, a friend’s brother spoke about the racism he faced.
“I had no idea how Westport kids are treating other kids,” Lindsey says. “I was naive.”
Despite their differing backgrounds, Leigh and Lindsey — both Staples High School juniors — have a common goal. They want to teach children, from a young age, about the importance of inclusivity, particularly with peers who might not look like them.
So they started the Inclusion and Diversity through Education and Awareness (IDEA) club at Staples.
“It’s a natural instinct as kids to be rough around the edges,” Leigh notes. We teach them to embrace diversity. It’s great to have different foods and holidays.”
“Differences are good things, not bad,” Lindsey adds. “We want to make all kids feel welcome, and be friends.”
Working first with teachers Rebecca Marsick and Alexis Aaeng, and now social studies instructor Elizabeth McVaney, the girls researched and created lesson plans. They came up with a variety of themes, including inclusion, respect, empathy, diversity, holidays, families and activities.
They approached Westport Library youth services director Mary Parmelee. she was excited, and arranged for monthly sessions in the children’s library. Leigh and Lindsey read aloud, and do activities like drawing and crafts with the youngsters.
Reading to children at the Westport Library (from left): Ava Cordella, Leigh Foran and Lindsey Price.
The lesson on food was instructive. The girls asked the children to draw their favorites. Everyone had something unique — showing that even with people who may look similar, there are differences.
With several other IDEA Club members, they’ve also done programs with the Westport Weston Cooperative Nursery School.
A youngster draws different kinds of people.
Parmelee and parents have been pleased, Lindsey and Leigh say.
For the founders, “it’s so sweet to see kids come out of their shell as the lesson goes on. There really are personal connections.”
The next Westport Library session is Saturday, April 22 (11 to 11:30 a.m.; click here for details).
Westport Library children’s section book display on diversity and inclusion, with the IDEA Club logo.
Meanwhile, Leigh, Lindsey and other club members are creating more lesson plans, and looking for more preschools to work with.
What a great IDEA!
(For more information, email leighmforan@gmail.com)
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