Belonging & Well-being

Ensuring a balanced program that supports all facets of well-being is essential as students grow and learn in community. Hamlin is deeply committed to the holistic health of every student. To equip students with the tools they need to operate as engaged and empathetic citizens, we use a combination of direct instruction with integration across all subjects. This work is informed primarily by Responsive Classroom, our Advisory program, our Lower and Middle School counselors, and the Middle School Seminar program.

Our Lower School Counselor partners with each Kindergarten through Grade 4 class throughout the year, getting to know all students individually as well as supporting teachers in their design of SEL in the classroom. In Middle School, SEL curriculum is taught as a part of the Advisory and homeroom programs, and taught during weekly Seminar classes for students in Grades 5 through 8. Advisory & SEL classes are safe and caring environments where students deepen self-awareness, practice managing emotions and relationships, and strengthen decision-making and communication skills.

This structure is intertwined with our Mission and Creed. We draw from curriculum developed by the Institute for Social Emotional Learning (IFSEL), Fly Five, & Responsive Classroom. Our partnership with Common Sense Media supports media literacy and digital wellness as parts of technology integration in our community.

Spanning Grades 6 through 8, the Advisory Program builds community and fosters meaningful connections between students and teachers In addition to daily morning meetings, advisory groups meet for longer sessions three to four times per week. Advisors collaborate with the Middle School Leadership team to create programming that reflects the developmental needs and interests of students.

These small groups provide safe spaces to explore topics such as friendships, ethical decision-making, digital wellness, self-care, puberty, conflict resolution, and self-identity. Students in Grades 5–8 also participate in Seminar classes that focus on health and wellness, mental health, friendships, mindfulness, living the Creed, time management, relationships, core values, puberty and sex education, and body image.

Hamlin’s affinity spaces provide positive and welcoming environments in which students with shared experiences, identities, and/or interests can come together and find connection and support. These spaces serve Hamlin’s goal of cultivating well-being and a sense of belonging for all community members. These spaces are inclusive, and all students or adults who are interested in supportive, respectful engagement may participate.

For Students:

• • ALANA: The purpose of ALANA is to cultivate a time and space focused on supporting students of color so they can truly be themselves while also connecting with peers who share similar life stories or experiences. Research shows us that a sense of belonging is critical to emotional well-being and academic success. Our affinity group provides this space and community while moving Hamlin students one step closer towards a racially-just world.

• • GSA: The Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a discussion group for any and all Middle School students who are committed to promoting safety and inclusion for LGBTQ+ youth and advocating for a harassment-free, healthy school community for all students. Participants engage in discussions and activities that focus on gender identity and expression, gender role stereotypes, sexual orientation, and justice for all people.

• • Neurodiversity: Our Neurodiversity affinity group allows students to reflect, share, and find commonality in the variety of ways in which they are learners. This group focuses specifically on learning and sharing about learning differences as an important part of one’s identity and not as a label.

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  • Jewish Affinity: The goal of the Jewish Affinity Group is to provide an opportunity for students to develop their Jewish identities and build community and understanding among Jewish students and other community members. The group discusses Judaism as an ethnic identity and the different ways that Judaism can be practiced. Students also learn about and celebrate Jewish culture and traditions in order to help them build a sense of comfort in Jewish spaces.

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  • Body Positive Club: In this club students explore what it means to completely celebrate and appreciate our bodies and body differences. They learn to turn away from media messages and towards each other and their own stories. This is a space to listen, play, and create!

For adults:

• • PLAID: PLAID is a Hamlin Parents Association group focused on educating our community about diversity and promoting an inclusive environment. PLAID sponsors events throughout the school year, including thought-provoking films, panel discussions, cultural celebrations, and advocacy opportunities. While the panel discussions and conversations are for adults, PLAID cultural celebrations are family-friendly events that are open to the entire community.

• • Alumni Affinity: Hamlin’s BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Alumni Affinity Group provides a space for our alumni to come together and share experiences and stories, reflect, heal, and help the school do better in supporting BIPOC students and alumni moving forward. For more info on our alumni affinity group, please contact Haley Brown, Advancement Manager for Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy at brown@hamlin.org.

For more info on our affinity spaces, please contact Katie Blaesing, Director of Community Well-being at blaesing@hamlin.org.

The Hamlin Kitchen embraces the joy of communal eating and the cross cultural significance of food. To that end, we strive to create a range of menus that celebrate the wide spectrum of geographies and cultures represented in our community. In partnership with school affinity groups, we create special menus to highlight celebrations such as Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, Persian New Year, Lunar New Year, Japanese Girls Day, Latinx Heritage Month, & Black History Month.

In Spring 2020, Hamlin formed a mental health task force composed of alumni, parents, students, faculty, and mental health professionals. The task force identified six core competencies that continue to guide our approach to social and emotional development for students and the larger community:

• Physical, Emotional, and Mental Health
• Global Awareness and Social Justice
• Growth Mindset, Flexibility, and Resilience
• Healthy Relationships
• Self-Awareness and Identity
• Empathy, Compassion, Diverse Perspectives