Electives

We live our Diversity Statement and Core Values by incorporating Clubs and advocacy, ally, and affinity-based Student Voice Groups into our Middle School program. Students are empowered when given the time and space to discuss their opinions, find commonalities through passion projects and shared activities, and make positive changes within our school community. Students develop important skills for the future such as self-awareness, collaboration, empathy, leadership development, communication, and more. Voice Groups and Clubs allow us to deliver on our promise of an inclusive and student-centered educational environment, bolstering our entire community’s sense of belonging and resulting in modern learning experiences that lead to growth and a stronger sense of self.

Affinity Groups: Students find strength through connections with others who have a shared identity.

• Jewish Student Union: Members of this group are provided a space to connect with other Jewish members in our community to find power and strength in their commonalities and culture. 
• Christian Student Union: Members of this group are provided a space to connect with other Christian members in our community to find power and strength in their commonalities and culture. 
• Neurodiversity: Neurodiversity includes but is not limited to ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, OCD, and Tourette Syndrome. Students can feel confident that their diagnosis is confidential
• Multilingual Student Union: This group is for students to connect with one another based on their shared experience of speaking multiple languages. 
• New Student Union: This group allows new students to form connections, build community, and share perspectives around what it means to be a Dawson Bear and their experiences within the School’s continuously expanding culture.
• Affinity-based groups for Students of Color: These are affinity-based groups for students of color. Members of these group are essential student leaders with a direct line of communication to our faculty regarding social diversity issues that may arise on campus or outside of school. These groups give students of color the space and platform to exercise their voice and help ensure Dawson is an inclusive community:
   
  • Black Student Union
  • Asian Student Union
  • LatinX Student Union

Ally Groups: Students are rooted in a cause through similar passions and advocate for current issues or injustices.

• Dynamic Families: This is an ally group for students who are experiencing the absence of a family member. Whether due to parent loss, living between multiple families, divorce, or a family member who often travels for work, Students are welcome to join this space to share and listen to students who have similar experiences.
• Pride Advocates: This ally-based group provides students with a safe space to discuss topics and issues surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community. It is important to mention that this group will not discuss concepts such as sexual orientation and instead will focus on acceptance, education, and empowerment. This group is for seventh and eighth-grade students only. 
• Global Role of Women (GROW): This is a student-led group that examines the role of gender in a safe and trusting environment. Students contribute their experiences with gender roles and examine the realities of sexism. GROW welcomes ALL community members of any gender who want to engage in conversations about these issues.
• Mental Health: This is an ally-based group for students who have a passion for initiatives surrounding mental health. They use their voices to express ideas and bring new traditions to Dawson that support mental wellness. Their goals are to practice mindfulness and combat elements like stress and anxiety. 

 Ambassador Groups: Students take action by caring for our community

• Social Ambassadors: Social Ambassadors focus on inclusion and belonging in the Middle School community. Members of this group work together to find ways to make common spaces more inclusive and inviting for all. This could include conversations about how to ensure nobody is sitting alone, how we could include others during recess, and so forth. 
• Campus Ambassadors: Campus Ambassadors focus on ways to help beautify our school campus.
• Cyber Health Ambassadors: Students reflect on their actions and activities online and acquire new insight into what they can do to better their relationship with technology. We are surrounded by innovative and immersive technological advancements, and together we can cultivate and maintain positive online spaces and learn what it means to live healthily alongside computers in the modern digital age.