E&I Speaker Series 

• Details to be uploaded by POCIS (will be ready in early August)

Affinity Gatherings

• FOC@S
  • Families of Color at SAAS (FOC@S) offers gatherings and affinity spaces for families of color to gather, connect and foster community.  Join us for for our 2023-2024 gatherings:
    • October 25-FOC@S w/ affinity group breakouts (6 PM - 7:30 PM, MS Commons–appetizers, potluck)
    • April 23-FOC@S Gathering & Dinner w/ affinity breakouts (6 PM - 7 PM, TBD)
• Families of Faith Dinner
  • February 6-Families of Faith Dinner (6 PM, MS Commons)
• LGBTQIA+ Families Dinner
  • May 14-LGBTQIA+ Dinner (5 PM-7 PM) 

SPARRC

• SPARRC (SAAS Parents/Guardians for Awareness, Race Relations and Community) is a strategic partnership with SAAS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department, the Family Association and Parent Education. SPARRC serves as a learning space for SAAS parents/guardians of all backgrounds and experiences to discuss matters of race and equity.

Learn more about SPARRC 

Upcoming
Parent Education Forums

Affinity Spaces

• SAAS offers socials for Faculty & Staff of Color and LGBTQIA+ to build and sustain a community of support throughout the year. 
• An affinity group is a group of people with common backgrounds, identities and experiences that come together to connect and support each other. The most common type of affinity group is one based on race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity where those that identify as that group can meet to share experiences, issues, and culture that is specific to their identity. Affinity groups are not a place to go and learn about someone else's identity or culture but 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.

Affinity Group Leaders

• Faculty & Staff have the option to advise and support student affinity groups as each group navigates identity-based conversations, explores advocacy, and develops learning opportunities for the SAAS community.

Faculty & Staff DEI Task Force

• Through the Faculty & Staff DEI Task Force, Faculty & Staff work together to discuss DEI issues, brainstorm solutions, and advocate for change within the SAAS community.

Board DEI Task Force
The NAIS People of Color Conference

• The NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC) is the flagship of the National Association of Independent Schools' commitment to equity and justice in teaching, learning, and organizational development. The mission of the conference is to provide a safe space for leadership, professional development, and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.
• This year’s conference theme is: Gateways to Freedom: A Confluence of Truth, Knowledge, Joy, and Power

Year-round DEI Professional Development 

• Led by our Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Andres Arteaga, DEI professional development is offered to SAAS Faculty & Staff year-round. 

Student Affinity Groups: SAAS offers multiple affinity groups for Middle and Upper School students. Our student affinity groups meet every other week during community time with faculty advisors present to help facilitate.

• An affinity group is a group of people with common backgrounds, identities and experiences that come together to connect and support each other. The most common type of affinity group is one based on race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity where those that identify as that group can meet to share experiences, issues, and culture that is specific to their identity. Affinity groups are not a place to go and learn about someone else's identity or culture but 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.

The goals of the Affinity Group Program include:

• Creating a sense of community and belonging among members of the group
• Developing leadership ability and an understanding of its importance
• Building a sense of self-worth, possibility, and confidence in SAAS Students
• Assisting SAAS Students as they build their social, racial, and cultural identities
• Promoting a sense of belonging and a long-term attachment to SAAS

Student Voices

• Led and organized by student affinity group leaders, Student Voices is a time for the SAAS community to learn about DEI topics as a community. Student leaders determine the topics they would like to address and provide education around them at division all-school assemblies. 

SDLC

• The NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference is a multiracial, multicultural gathering of student leaders from eligible independent high schools across the U.S. and abroad. SAAS is committed to sending upper school students to this important conference.
• The 2023 Student Diversity Leadership Conference will be held in St. Louis, MO, November 29–December 2. This year's theme is Bending the Arc Toward Justice: Radical Optimism, Transformational Joy, Resilience, and Brilliance.  

Student Reporting Form - Respect and Consideration