Identity Group FAQs

Back to top
What is Students of ColorS and what is its purpose?

Students of ColorS is a racial identity group designed for students in Grades 3-5. The ultimate goal of this group is to bring together students of all racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds to deepen their understanding of their own identity and to provide a space for students to discover and enhance connections with each other and the larger community around them. Under the supportive and thoughtful facilitation of RDS teachers, this identity group will provide students the opportunity to participate in positive identity exploration, build their self-awareness, and increase self-esteem. By providing students with a safe, intentional space to explore racial identity, we are better positioning all children for adolescence and adulthood as they begin to grapple with issues of difference, not only in our own community, but also, in the broader society around them.

How does a racial identity group fit with our mission to cultivate an inclusive community?

Students of ColorS is OPEN to all students who are interested in reflecting on, and learning about race and ethnicity. Creating an intentional and safe space for students to speak openly about their own racial identity formation, and to learn about others perspectives and experiences encourages listening and open-mindedness. As students learn to recognize how judgment and assumptions play into how we might perceive racial and ethnic differences, they will ultimately become more self-aware as potential allies for their peers. It is through this exchange of stories and understanding of multiple perspectives, as well as discovering shared feelings, experiences, and connections, that our students will gain insight and strategies as to how they can play an active role in cultivating an inclusive community at RDS.

What process did our school use to bring this group to the student experience?

One of our values in our mission is to cultivate an inclusive and diverse community that engages, prepares, and inspires our students. This means meeting our students where they are as they are forming their own identities and engaging in a diverse community. As part of our efforts to better institutionalize diversity work at RDS, a Diversity Strategic Plan was approved and adopted in 2010. Our Diversity Steering Committee (consisting of faculty, staff and administrators) was developed and charged with the task of identifying ways to actualize the Strategic Plan. Throughout the 2010-2011 school year, the Steering Committee researched numerous schools across the country where racial identity groups have been highly successful. The Committee also surveyed and met extensively with faculty and staff to discuss different options for a mission consistent program that will advance our work. The formation of Students of ColorS represents our deepened commitment to diversity and our ever-present desire to better fulfill our mission on behalf of all of our students.

Is Students of ColorS developmentally appropriate for children in Grades 3-5? What types of activities will this group do?

Research has shown that children, by the age of three, are actively involved in sorting their world. At this early development stage, they are aware of difference as they engage in sorting blocks, animals, colors, people, etc. The goal is to support children in their awareness of each others’ difference and help them connect positively to their own racial identity. Like everything we do at RDS, this group is developmentally appropriate and will provide an opportunity for our students to gain tools and experiences that will help them participate intentionally in creating an inclusive community. Our work will be based on curricula used in independent schools around the country for K-8 students. Students will read books, write poetry, create art, play games and have conversations.

Why did our school choose to start with a racial identity group? Will there be other groups in the future based on other criteria?

We decided to focus Students of ColorS on racial identity because children start “reading” racial cues by 18 months of age (Bisson et.al). Sometimes, what they see is not how someone identifies. Research indicates, and we have found in our experience at RDS, that these obvious features (skin color, hair texture, facial features, size, etc.) can lead to teasing and or hurtful comments. Sometimes these comments are purely innocent and stem from misunderstanding. Nonetheless, they can still be hurtful. By increasing children’s awareness and providing them with an opportunity to explore different forms of racial identity, we hope to increase student capacity to be advocates for each other, when teasing or insensitive behavior occurs.

With the success of Students of ColorS, our school is definitely open to the formation of other identity groups in subsequent school years. As with any new initiative, we hope to learn and grow throughout this year, so we can build upon our success and offer other opportunities in the future.

My child has expressed interest in participating in Students of ColorS, but the morning time will not work for my family. Will the group always be offered in the morning?

After careful consideration of various options for a time to offer this identity group, we ultimately decided to offer the group every other Wednesday starting November 2 in the mornings from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Since Students of ColorS will meet semi-monthly, we opted not to offer the group as part of the After School Program as we did not want to force families to have to choose between a regularly scheduled After School Program and a group that meets twice monthly. We also thought about offering the identity group during lunch, but decided it was best to carve out uninterrupted time before school starts. As we launch this program, we will continue to learn about best ways to facilitate the group, so scheduling and other logistics are open.

Who can I talk to for more information?

Our partnership with families is critically important to us and we encourage you to ask any questions you may have. Leah Aguilera, Tanna Hall and Rhonda Smith are teachers leading the facilitation of Students of ColorS this year. If you have specific questions, please feel free to contact these three teachers via email or phone. Denise Breland and John Loeser are also available to answer any questions.

Engaged. Prepared. Inspired.