Affinity and Alliance Groups at ISB

Affinity groups are a structure through which children can explore and affirm positive aspects of their identity, as they provide an inclusive space for reflection, dialogue, and support for students. An alliance group is simply a group that brings together people who have a common commitment to an identifier group, e.g. race, gender, religion, family status, etc. Alliance groups are for individuals who identify as members of the group and/or as people who support and stand in solidarity with that group. ISB currently offers six student affinity and/or alliance groups:

The mission of the ISB SOCS affinity group is to affirm, protect, and nurture the racial and cultural identity of our students by creating a sense of community among ISB’s students of color. Open to students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade who self-identify as persons of color.

Facilitators: Rosa Torres and Christina Wellington

Banana Splits is a peer support group for children who live with “one parent, or one parent at a time”, for a range of reasons including: single parent by choice, separation/divorce or death of a parent.

Facilitator: Dr. Liz Helbraun

This alliance group joins students who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. The goals of the alliance include building support for the LGBTQ+ students at ISB and educating others on gender and sexual identity and expression.

Facilitators: Guillaume Roper-Sirvent and Melissa Mack 

The mission of the ISB SOCA affinity group is to affirm, protect, and nurture the racial and cultural identity of our students by creating a sense of community among ISB’s students of color. Open to students in 6th through 8th Grade who self-identify as persons of color.

Facilitators: Kimesha Reid-Grant and Melissa Mack

Banana Splits is a peer support group for children who live with “one parent, or one parent at a time”, for a range of reasons including: single parent by choice, separation/divorce or death of a parent.

Facilitator: Lily Infante