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As part of our ongoing, strategic work towards making Brookwood a diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution, we are excited to announce the launch of two different affinity groups at Brookwood starting the week of January 31, 2022. We are excited to provide this opportunity for our students based on their feedback during both the listening sessions with consultant Erica Pernell and through the Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism administered in the spring of 2021.
Initially, we will offer two different affinity groups for students:
Students of Color Affinity Group facilitated by Khadijah Ali-Campbell, Mayumi Morash, and Coleen Ilano. This is a group for individuals that identify as Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color.
Meeting Days and Times:
Upper School (Grades 5 - 8): 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 10:15-10:45 a.m.,
Lower School (Grades 2 - 4): 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 11:30-12:00
LGBTQ+ AFFINITY GROUP facilitated by Suzy Light, Wendy Panchy, and Kathy Stewart. This group is for any student who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community as well as allies.
Meeting Days and Times:
Upper School (Grades 5 - 8): 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 10:15 - 10:45 a.m.
Lower School (Grades 2 - 4): 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 2:15-2:45 pm
Please reach out to the Affinity Group facilitators with any questions:
FAQ
In addition, we’ve provided a few frequently asked questions about affinity groups to help you engage in great conversations at home with your children and/or with educators.
Q: What are affinity groups?
Affinity groups are:
People who have a shared interest or connection.
Often organized around under-represented identity: race, gender, religion, ability, and more.
Multi-grade or multi-age.
Q: What happens in affinity groups?
Activities
Games
Media
Discussion
Joy and fun
What students decide they want to happen
Q: Why are affinity groups important?
Foster identity development.
Develop community amongst students.
Discuss struggles & strategies for success.
Keep a pulse on the experience of students.
Allow for greater integration in the broader community.
By providing mirrors, affinity groups create the feeling of being understood without having to explain oneself.
Q: How can I support affinity groups at Brookwood?
Help explain to students that are not attending the affinity groups why the groups are important for their classmates.
Help reframe questions “Why don’t I get to attend” with “ How can I support my friends that choose to go?”
Use the language that the under-represented group/individual chooses to use and know that terms about identity evolve and change