THE EXPERIENCE OF BELONGING FROM A SOCIOECONOMIC LENS
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access and equity for low-income students . They run regular book drives to collect gently used books which they make available to the student body , speak at events , and make sure that information about financial aid and nontuition support is posted on their group page on the all-school platform , creating another place where students can access this information . One student said , “ CSW ’ s support for SOFA allows us to advocate for our needs and have an active voice in our education .”
It is worth noting that while most of the students who attend First-Gen are students of color , the founding members , and many of the students who attend SOFA meetings , are white identifying . This leads me to believe that SOFA is playing an important role for
“ Our demonstrated support of diversity , equity , and inclusion created an environment where students felt safe enough to claim their space .” low-income white students who might have previously felt invisible . One of the founding members stated , “ The idea alone of an affinity group for mid-to-low-income students was enough to build a community at CSW . SOFA ’ s existence is an act of defiance against a system that makes us feel less than other students , and instead makes us feel welcomed and supported .”
Should all independent schools have an affinity group that explicitly supports low-income students ? I believe the development of such a group should happen organically . Much will depend on the culture and values of the community , and how comfortable it is in talking about socioeconomic diversity . At CSW , affinity spaces play a significant role in the culture of the school ( there are currently 15 affinity and alliance groups ), time is explicitly allotted for affinity and alliance groups in the weekly schedule , and social justice is a concept that threads through the academic curriculum and all our programs . Our demonstrated support of diversity , equity , and inclusion created an environment where students felt safe enough to claim their space . When all voices feel confident speaking up , it ’ s a sign that the school has moved toward an authentic place of belonging . •
Rosanna Salcedo is the Dean of Equity and Inclusion at The Cambridge School of Weston . For over 20 years she has worked as a teacher and school administrator dedicated to creating healthy and inclusive communities where all students can thrive socially , emotionally , and academically . She holds a Ed . M . in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education .
Page 14 Summer 2023 CSEE Connections