In support of the school’s mission to challenge young people of promise to become self-sustaining learners and compassionate global citizens, and to provide students with the skills of civil discourse, The Miami Valley School will host a three-part symposium on the subject at its campus in Washington Township. The events are closed to the public.

The first event will focus first on why civil discourse is important in our schools, our community, and our world. The panel discussion will include local dignitaries and valued community members, who will discuss the importance of civil discourse from their unique perspectives.

The follow-up event in February will be an all-day workshop with Better Angels, a group based in Lebanon, Ohio to train students and faculty on how to successfully and respectfully engage in civil discourse.

The third session will take place in April with a final event, designed and led by students. This event will address the next steps in order to continue the dialogue as we move into an election year.

“Given the current divisions in our country on so many issues, this is a fitting time for our students to learn not only to use their voices to share their point of view but also to be skilled listeners to those with different perspectives. Dayton has a history as a city of peace and diplomacy. This year’s symposium is a part of that history,” said Head of School, Elizabeth Cleary.

Panelists participating in the first event are:

• Reverend Sandy McConnel, Board member and former minister of Westminster Presbyterian Church
• Rabbi Judy Chessin, Rabbi at Temple Beth Or, Dayton
• Mr. Vipal Patel, Federal prosecutor and the First Assistant United States Attorney for U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio
• Ms. Shelley Dickstein, Dayton City Manager
• Karen M. R. Townsend, Ph.D., President KTownsend Consulting
• Dr. Yann Luissiez, Head of School, Desert Academy, Santa Fe, NM
• Mohamed Al-Hamdani, attorney and managing member at Larson, Lyons & Al-Hamdani, LLC