Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Affinity Groups at Bank Street
Explore groups for students, parents, and faculty
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Lower School
Lower School Affinity Groups
Starting in first grade (6/7s), the following race-based affinity groups, which are designed to build a positive identity for every child, are formally used in the spring as an integral part of the Racial Justice and Advocacy (RJA) curriculum.
- Kids of Color Affinity Group, which can include (micro affinity groups such as :Asian or South Asian, Black or of African Descent, and Latinex)
- Multiracial Affinity Group
- White Anti-Racist Affinity Group
Starting in second grade (7/8s), students have the option of participating in the following three groups which support children’s identities around family structure and gender.
- Banana Splits
- Gender Spectrum Alliance Club
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Upper School
Upper School Affinity Groups
After learning about the importance of affinity spaces in positive identity development in the Lower and Middle School, students in the Upper School can choose to continue to participate in any affinity group they wish. Race-based affinity groups for students in the Upper School include:
- Kids of Color Affinity Group
- Multiracial Affinity Group
- White Anti-Racist Affinity Group
The following groups support children’s identities around family structure and gender.
- Banana Splits
- Adoption Affinity Group
- Gender Spectrum Alliance Jr. | Fifth Grade (10/11s) and Sixth Grade (11/12s)
- Gender Spectrum Alliance Sr. | Seventh Grade (12/13s) and Eighth Grade (13/14s)
Parent Affinity Groups
In collaboration with the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, parents create opportunities for families to come together and support each other in various affinity groups. Parent affinity groups include:
- Adoption Affinity Group (AAG)
- International Family Affinity Group
- Jewish Families Affinity Group
- Learning Diversity Support Group (LDSG)
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Headed Families Affinity Group
- Parents of Children of Color (POCOC) Group
- Raising Gender-Diverse Children Group
- Single Family Household Affinity Group
- White Anti-Racist Affinity Group (WAAG)
Faculty Affinity Groups
Faculty and staff at the School for Children participate in various affinity groups, including:
- Educators of Color (EOC)
- Jewish Affinity Group (JAG)
- White Anti-Racist Affinity Group (WAAG)
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Group