Family Handbook 2023-24

CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

● Muslim Student Affinity Group (MSA): MSA aims to provide a safe, supportive space to discuss and address issues and experiences that are impacting Muslims locally and nationally; to promote a deeper understanding of Islam; and to cultivate ways to educate and engage the Havergal community in challenging Islamophobic sentiments. ● Jewish Student Affinity Group (JSA): JSA aims to provide a safe, supportive space to discuss and learn about issues and experiences impacting Jewish people locally and nationally; to promote a better understanding of Judaism; and to cultivate ways to educate and engage the Havergal community in challenging Anti-Semetic sentiments. ● Asian Student Affinity Group (ASA): ASA aims to provide a safe, supportive space to engage in difficult conversations surrounding the Asian experience both within and outside of Havergal; to embrace and celebrate the diverse Asian cultures in our community; and to cultivate ways to educate, unite and engage the Havergal community in better understanding issues impacting Asian people. ● BIPOC Student Affinity Group: BIPOC student affinity group aims to provide a safe, supportive space to engage in difficult conversations surrounding the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour experience both within and outside of Havergal; to embrace and celebrate the diverse Indigenous and BIPOC cultures in our community; and to cultivate ways to educate, unite and engage the Havergal community in better understanding issues impacting BIPOC and Indigenous people. Student Alliances Alliance Spaces at Havergal give students the opportunity to join with others in solidarity. These spaces prioritize building relationships between members of a particular identity and people who want to show support for them. Being part of an alliance group is a wonderful way to increase inclusivity, advocacy, and awareness of various issues students are experiencing in all areas of their lives. ● Diversity Committee: aims to bring attention to issues surrounding equity and inclusion at Havergal by first having conversations to unpack challenges and next creating initiatives that work to address the identified challenges at the school. This group sits at the intersection of a Brave Space and an Affinity Group. ● Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA): aims to provide a safe, supportive space to discuss and develop a stronger understanding of issues and experiences faced by the LGBTQ+ community; to cultivate impactful ways to create awareness, reduce ignorance and stereotypes; and to develop allyship within the HC community. Topics are identified based on student interest. Students of all sexual and gender diversities as well as allies are welcome. ● Feminist Alliance: strives to create a safe place to foster productive discussion on feminist issues including body positivity, the ‘feminist movement’, and intersectionality. By bringing students together they are empowered to look at current issues with a critical lens all the while broadening and strengthening perspectives on topics that are meaningful to them.

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