Tuesday Common Ground

August 2024
  
Dear Lower School Families,

I write to share information about a program that is important to our school’s mission that may be new to some of your children. Common Ground is Gordon School’s race-based affinity group program for students of color in Lower School. While Common Ground begins in Early Childhood, many students are not aware of the program, so we wanted to share additional information about it in case you’d like for your child to participate or if your student has questions about it.  

About Common Ground

Common Ground was created as an opportunity for students of color to build a supportive network among their peers while also serving as a forum in which students can explore racial identity, share learning, and help build positive peer relationships that extend outside of the Common Ground experience. During Common Ground, students have opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings, and pose questions while processing issues related to being a Gordon student. Research has shown that affinity groups create a sense of belonging that positively impacts students’ sense of belonging, connectedness at school, confidence, and academic success.

Overall, Common Ground provides a relaxed and fun environment in which children of color, instead of being in the minority, can enjoy being part of a social group at school composed of people with whom they share that daily experience. It is a comfortable space in which students of color can share their thoughts and feelings knowing their identity will be affirmed by their peers. Common Ground is also an opportunity for students of color to connect with faculty and staff members of color who serve as role models and allies. And, of course, it is also a time to enjoy playing with and making new friends.

If you, your child, or your family identify as people of color, we encourage you to look into both Common Ground and the Parents of Students of Color (POSOC) group. Tuesday Common Ground is for younger students; if you’d like for your student to attend and you haven’t already registered, please go to www.gordonschool.org/gators. Middle School also has Common Ground, and you can learn more about it.

If you, your child, or your family do not identify as people of color, we encourage you to recognize the value of this experience for children of color and to support Common Ground as an essential part of Gordon’s mission for equity and racial diversity. Additionally, the Facing Whiteness: Antiracism Working Group for White Parents has been a useful resource for white families to support students with understanding the benefits of affinity spaces for people of color. 

For more on the value of race-based affinity groups for children, please see www.gordonschool.org/commonground

This fall's Tuesday Common Ground program

The Tuesday Common Ground team is Ngina Johnson (Nursery teacher), and Denise Williams (second grade teacher). Together they will plan and facilitate weekly meetings.

The fall session of Common Ground will run on Tuesdays for six sessions, beginning September 17th from dismissal to 4:30 pm. There will not be an October 1st session. The groups will meet in both indoor and outdoor campus spaces. Pick-up will be at the front circle. 

Participation in Common Ground is free and open to all Lower School students of color. This is a voluntary program and it is up to individual families to decide whether or not they want their child or children to attend.  We look forward to another dynamic and spirited year of Common Ground. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact:

Minna Ham, mham@gordonschool.org, Lower School Director           

Denise Williams, dwilliams@gordonschool.org, Common Ground Program Coordinator and Second Grade Teacher

Respectfully,
Minna Ham and Denise Williams