middle school spotlight: affinity groups

by Lizzie Rogal, Middle School Head

In one of her first initiatives at Friends, first-year Middle School Head Lizzie Rogal began working with faculty and students to reimagine our MS affinity spaces.

The Affinity Group program has been part of the Friends Middle School student experience for many years. As our community continuously strives to deepen our culture of inclusivity and belonging, affinity groups provide a safe environment for Friends who share a certain aspect of their identity to build community, fellowship, and empowerment.

The implementation of affinity groups at Friends Middle School has evolved over the years. Recently, we’ve committed to deep- among friends: winter 2023 ening our legacy of affinity group work by creating a set time in our weekly schedule to meet, and with a commitment from all middle school educators to be part of co-creating this program.

Affinity groups are most transformative when they authentically center student voice and need. At every point in this year’s process, we have listened deeply to our students, and empowered them to guide our approach. From deciding which groups to offer, to determining plans and activi- ties for each session, students are truly at the center of this program. Conversations about equity, justice, and inclusion have organically emerged as students determined which groups might be needed, and considered how certain groups’ needs were different from another’s.

Our students expressed a desire for more options, and for clarity about the different kinds of groups that we offer. This year, we offer groups in the following categories:

1) Affinity Groups

:

• The term affinity group is used when bringing together people who have an identifier in common, e.g. race, gender, religion, family status, etc.

• Affinity groups are for individuals who identify as members of the group and can speak to the experience of being a member of the group from the “I” perspective.

2) Alliance Groups

:

• The term alliance group is used when bringing together people who have a common commitment to an identifier group, e.g. race, gender, religion, family status, etc.

• Alliance groups are for individuals who identify as members of the group and/or as people who support and stand in solidarity with that group.

3) Justice Groups

:

• Justice groups follow similar protocols as the other groups, and are focused on a specific justice cause/topic, and oriented toward research, learning, empathy-building, and action.

• Areas of focus and engagement in a justice group are not directly related to aspects of identity (example: climate justice, food justice, etc)

Groups being offered this semester are:

• Affinity Groups: Young Black Leaders; South Asian; East Asian and Southeast Asian; Latinx; Neurodiversity; Jew Crew

• Alliance Groups: Gender Sexuality Alliance; Women and Trans People in Sports; Feminists

• Justice Groups: Peer Mediation; Climate Justice; Animal Rights; Food Justice among friends: winter 2023

As always, work in this space is evolving – we must always be responsive to the needs of the community in the context of our evolving school culture. We are continuously seeking feedback from students and adults, and we are dedicated to being humble and light on our toes as we navigate this ongoing process and important work.

As always, we prioritize the wellbeing and connectedness of our students, and our focus and reflection about affinity groups is an example of our equity-oriented philosophy. •

What part of the current SFFS academic program or student life would you like to learn more about? We want to hear from you, our community, so please don’t hesitate to let us know!

You can reach out to communications @sffriendsschool.org with any ideas for Among Friends profiles or stories. Thank you!