On Thursday, September 18th, the Student Facilitators kicked off the year with a full day retreat held in the Henry Resource Room. Forty-three students make up this year’s cohort, and they are all passionate about promoting values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in Upper School.
During the retreat, they learned more about their duties and got to know each other. They also played collaborative games to strengthen their teamwork, laying a cohesive foundation for the new year.
Ms. Kimberly and Mr. Sinal opened the meeting with an introductory speech in which they imparted the duties of facilitators, emphasizing the importance of empathy and non-judgmental listening. Then the facilitators engaged in group exercises. One of the activities was to “form an isosceles triangle as a group while blindfolded,” which not only fostered collaboration among facilitators but also stressed the importance of communication and listening in the facilitation processes.
The morning session ended with each facilitator coming up with their own “Facilitator Why,” a personal statement that explains their motivations for becoming a facilitator. This activity helped facilitators connect their personal values with the broader community. After a short lunch break, facilitators then participated in social action workshops from experienced facilitators. Social action workshops are presentations reflecting on DEIB that facilitators will hold in their future SCHOUT Conference, a regional diversity conference that attracts students across the tri-state area.
Maya Lawson, a junior facilitator, shared her feelings about the kickoff. She joined this vibrant community because she “wants to make changes to this school,” improving inclusivity and diversity. She believes that student facilitators play an important role in strengthening the school’s diversity. “Everybody has a voice, no matter what background.” Maya highlighted her favorite part of the kickoff: meeting new members of the facilitator team. She is “very excited about the year to come.”
As the facilitators prepare for a year filled with support and inclusivity for their peers, they stand ready to build a diverse and inclusive community for the Upper School, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
