There are currently at Pike two strong aspects to our diversity initiative: SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), which is a national project, and Pike's own Affinity Groups.

This project on inclusive curriculum was created more than two decades ago at Wellesley College. After attending  its training program in 2005, a Pike teacher established a SEED group for Pike faculty and staff. In its first year, the Pike group numbered ten members. That number doubled the next year. For a comprehensive explanation of the national SEED program by its founders, Emily Styles and Peggy McIntosh, visit this link to the Wellesley site.

SEED Thoughts

This newsletter, published by Pike's SEED group, contains movie and book recommendations as well as information on upcoming opportunities to look at issues of diversity in our world.

January 2008
April 2008

 

The 2007-2008 Schedule

November 14, 2007
American-Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

December 12, 2007
The Price of Privilege by Madeline Levine

January 16, 2008
Rules by Cynthia Lord

February 13, 2008
Visit from Kenyan short story author, Elly Oloo Nyamwaya

April 9, 2008
Moloka'i by Alan Brenner

May 14, 2008
Stealing Buddha's Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen

June 2008
Fiesta
 

The 2006-2007 Schedule

October 4, 2006
2:30-4:00 p.m. in the Library
Organizational Meeting

October 27, 2006
4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Addison Gallery
Wendy Ewald Exhibit

December 6, 2006
2:30-4:00 p.m. in the Library
Monsoon Summer
by Mitali Perkins

January 3, 2007
2:30-4:00 p.m. in Jenn Elkin's room
The Glass Castle
by Jeannette Walls

February 7, 2007
2:30-4:00 p.m. in Jenn Elkin's room
Breaking Through
by Francisco Jiménez

March 7, 2007
2:30-4:00 p.m. in Jenn Elkin's room
The Heaven Shop
by Deborah Ellis

April 4, 2007
2:30-4:00 p.m. in Jenn Elkin's room
Between Mom and Me
by Julie Ann Peters

May 2, 2007
2:30-4:00 p.m. in Jenn Elkin's room
TBA

June 2007
SEED Dinner


In 2005-2006, the SEED group at Pike addressed the following topics through readings and viewings:

October 5, 2005
Finding Our Own Voices

November 2, 2005
Globalization
Readings: stories by S. Cisneros, J. Kincaid

December 7, 2005
Class Oppression
Video: Life & Debt

January 4, 2006
Racism
Reading: The Breadgivers  (Anzia Yezierska)

February 1, 2006
Racism (con’t)
Reading: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry  (Mildred T. Taylor)

March 1, 2006
Religious Identity
Video: The Color of Fear

April 5, 2006
Gender Identity
Reading: Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths  (Bruce Feiler)

May 3, 2006
Multicultural Voices
Reading: My Heartbeat  (Garret Freymann-Weyr)

Wrap up/ sharing poetry from ‘round the world

After years in the development process, Pike has launched an affinity group and a multicultural group. The affinity group is aimed at providing students of color with a safe time and space to share and discuss common experiences around race.  The multicultural group is open to all students interested in exploring issues of diversity and multiculturalism.  Both groups are available to Upper School students.  This program has begun the process of creating opportunities for students to positively explore, celebrate, develop and affirm their identities.

The program supports one of the core values of The Pike School mission: "We believe that by recognizing, respecting, sharing and appreciating our similarities and differences, we grow and flourish."

The goal of the affinity group is to provide Upper School students of color with a safe and supportive space where they can be the majority and talk about their experiences as students of color. Its membership is open to students of color, and its agenda is driven by the needs and interests of the members.

The goal of the multicultural group is to provide Upper School students with a setting where issues of multiculturalism, including race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender, can be discussed in a safe environment. Membership in this group is open to all students, and its agenda is driven by the needs and interests of its members.

Frequently Asked Questions about Affinity Group

What is an affinity group?

An affinity group is created for a group of people who share a common experience.  Our affinity group is designed to empower students of color through a focus on race and culture as they negotiate their experiences at a predominantly white school.  The goal of our affinity group is to facilitate positive identity exploration and development for students of color.  The group will offer a time and space for empowerment of the individual and of the group within the greater community.

I am interested in diversity.  Why can’t I (a white student) attend the affinity group meetings?

Affinity group meetings will provide students of color with an environment in which they can share experiences and discuss issues related to race and diversity.  In order to candidly discuss these issues, only students who share the affinity can be present at the meetings.  Interest in diversity and multiculturalism is encouraged and welcomed through attendance at the multicultural group meetings, which are open to all students, including members of the affinity group. 

Who decides who attends the affinity group meetings?

Students who identify as persons of color can join the affinity group.  Any student, regardless of how he/she identifies, is welcome to join the multicultural group, including members of the affinity group.  Both groups are open to Upper School students.

What is the affinity group doing in the meeting?  What is going on in there?

The students and their faculty advisors are discussing issues of diversity that affect their lives, whether at Pike or at home.  The conversations are student-generated and run, while guided by the faculty advisors.  The faculty advisors are present to support the group both during and outside the meetings.

I treat everyone the same.  Why is Pike pointing out our differences?

While there are many similarities in the lives of Pike students, there are also differences.  We believe it is important for students of color at Pike to have a time and place to speak with peers who share common experiences regarding race.  Our affinity group is not creating divisions, but rather honoring the experiences that students of color already encounter. 

With whom do I speak about my questions regarding the affinity group?

Betsy DeVries and Kavita Mundra are the faculty advisors for the affinity group, and Mary Crockett and Amy Salvatore are the faculty advisors for the multicultural group.  For general questions, please contact Head of Upper School, Laura Russell, or TAGG coordinator, Vanessa Hynes.