In the
Upper School, we support opportunities for groups of students to voluntarily and periodically meet and coalesce around their social identities. We have a weekly meeting for faculty and staff of color, and among Upper School students there are a vibrant number of affinity group clubs including
• Asian-Awareness
• BASE (Brothers for Academic and Social Enrichment)
• Chaverim (Jewish students’ alliance)
• FOCUS (a group for young Christians)
• Multicultural Students’ Union (open to all students interested in diversity issues)
• SAGA (straight and gay alliance)
• Sistahs (young women of color alliance)
In the
Middle School, we offer periodic opportunities for students to connect around some of their social identities. Middle School affinity groups are held as monthly optional lunches where students who want to attend can come together to have discussions or to simply be together informally. Currently, the Middle School offers a Kids of Color Lunch, a Jewish Kids Lunch , and a Straight/Gay Alliance Lunch.
The
Lower School faculty have come to a consensus that we should provide particular kinds of structures of support for students of color, students with gay or lesbian parents, and religious minority students. A faculty focus group will explore the possibility of affinity groups for young children, being mindful of being age-appropriate in this endeavor and in consultation with parents.
Cultivating Leadership
We also offer all our students leadership, diversity training, and opportunities to explore and discuss diversity and multiculturalism. Some projects are as follows:
• MOSAIC (Moving on Social and Individual Change), a daylong diversity training and group-building experience for the 8th grade.
• SAFE (Student Ambassadors For Equity) leadership and diversity training in the Middle School.
• A cohort of students has historically attended the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership conference.
• Upper School students are offered the opportunity to apply to participate in a yearly Student Diversity Dialogue. This is an all-day experience where professional facilitators work with students to build community, to teach core concepts, and to guide students in honest discussion about issues of social identity and multiculturalism.
• Each year leaders of identity-based affinity groups are gathered for a specific orientation that prepares them to clarify the goals of their groups and to lead discussions among their peers.