CEI Round-up: Thursday, September 24

Dear Bush Families, 

Twenty-four families joined us Tuesday morning for CEI Connect, our first Family Affinity Gathering of the year. We talked about what affinity spaces are, then did a short exercise on what people hope for in a group. What came through: family unity across generations, support and advocacy for families navigating neurodiversity, AAPI families wanting to be heard and validated, LGBTQ+ families wanting to feel seen, a deeper sense of belonging for students — and, running under all of it, people just wanting to be around others who get it.

One moment stood out. When we offered the option to break into identity-specific tables, the room chose to stay mixed instead. Several people said afterward that the cross-identity connection was what they valued most.

So we asked: going forward, would you rather see traditional affinity groups — identity-based, started and led by families, alliance gatherings hosted by the CEI team, open to everyone and built around that cross-identity connection or both? The answer, overwhelmingly, was both. This year, families interested in a shared-identity space will continue to have that option through Family Affinity spaces initiated and led and hosted by families in the community, and the CEI Team will host Alliance gatherings a few times a year as well.

Here's where several of our groups stand right now:

AAPI Families — Co-led this year by Quyen Fahey and Gabe Nishimura. They're starting the year with a short survey to learn who's part of our AAPI community and how families want to connect this year. If your family identifies as AAPI, please take a few minutes to complete it, whether you've been part of this group before or you're finding it for the first time, you're welcome.

Neurodivergent Families — Led by Alex Hinderliter. The group's Open House is next Tuesday, September 29 at 8:15 a.m. in the Community Room. Come meet other parents, look through resources, and help set what the group focuses on this year.

Black Families at Bush — After five years of leadership from Sony Kilgore-Martin and Mayowa Fabode, the group is establishing new leadership this year. If you're interested in participating or stepping into a leadership role, reach out to Coordinator of Community, Equity, and Inclusion Morgan Whitt or me.

Latinos at Bush — A newly established group, co-led by Ivette Cortez and Maria (Teresa) Oneto.

Families with Food Allergies —  Led by Cecily Metzger and Dustin Metzger

With appreciation,

Susan