This week, Abington Friends School was honored to welcome nationally recognized educator and speaker Rosetta Lee to campus to speak on what it takes to build strong human systems in schools that nurture young people as they grow. Rosetta helps communities engage in meaningful conversations about identity, belonging, and inclusion, encouraging us to reflect on how we understand our own identities, how we affirm and support one another, and how we can recognize and challenge exclusion.

Her visit was an inspiring way to prepare for Conscious Communities, a cross-divisional initiative focused on making every student feels seen, valued, and empowered. Each week, students will participate in affinity groups that focus on aspects of identity such as race, gender, and religion. These spaces provide room for self-exploration, the celebration of individuality, and the building of shared understanding and belonging across the school community. 

A group of young leaders in eighth grade had a special meeting with Rosetta where they were empowered to ask questions about hwo to model leadership for their younger peers. "One of the most effective ways of bringing up the next group of leaders is by giving them small bites of leadership," Rosetta told them. "Give them ownership and accountability. Let them field the questions, but always make yourself available to help." Meanwhile, Upper School students explored the distinctions between interest groups, affinity spaces, and alliance spaces. By learning the language for this important work, students were able to reflect on what it means to engage meaningfully with peers across difference.

At AFS, learning how to be true friends is central to our mission. Conscious Communities is one expression of this practice, offering students a framework to deepen their awareness of self and others and strengthen the bonds of community.