Clubs & Voice Groups

Dawson is and will continue to be a true learning community where every student has a safe space to participate in critical conversations about race, equity, diversity, and inclusion to grow personally and as a global change agent. Student Voice Groups are designed to increase belonging and actualize our Diversity Statement. When students are not part of the majority, they may not feel as connected or included. Because Dawson values an inclusive and welcoming environment where students feel they belong, affinity groups allow individuals with similar experiences to share, collaborate, and give time, space, and peer support to sponsor a sense of belonging. Ambassador-based, affinity-based, and ally-based Student Voice Groups support this research.

• Affinity Groups: Students find strength through connections with others who have a shared identity.
• Ally Groups: Students are rooted in a cause through similar passions and advocate for current issues or injustices.
• Ambassador Groups: Students take action by caring for our community

Affinity Groups:

• 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
  • Mixed-Race Student Union
  • Middle Eastern Student Union

Ally Groups: 

• 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.
• Indigenous Peoples Advocates: This group supports Indigenous voices, rights, and cultures through advocacy and community support.
• 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:

• 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.
• Event Ambassadors: Event Ambassadors support school events. This might include planning and logistics support, helping to set up or clean up for an event, and volunteering at an event.
• 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.
• Employee Ambassadors: This group takes action to show appreciation for our Dawson employees.