Newton North High School has affinity groups for students of specific races and ethnicities

The organization “Families Organizing for Racial Justice at Newton North High School” is a chapter of a larger organization with a goal to “unify parents, caregivers, students, educators and administrators who are committed to learning and helping our children learn to be actively antiracist and stand up for racial justice.” Chapters of the larger organization “organize events to build inclusion and develop ties within their school communities by establishing affinity groups, interactive workshops, and joint events between PTOs and Creative Arts and Sciences Committees.” These chapters “work to support, compliment and enhance the efforts of school teams to advance systemwide antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.”

The chapter at Newton North High School has a page online that promotes racial “Student Affinity Groups at NNHS.” The affinity groups listed are “Asian American Pacific Islander Affinity Group,” “Asian American Culture Club,” “Black Leadership Advisory Council,” “Hispanic Y Latinos Unidos,” “South Asian Student Association,” and “Dover Legacy Scholars,” which serves as a “mentorship program for NNHS’s Black & Latinx students in grades 10-12.” Affinity groups are groups of people segregated by their characteristics, such as race and ethnicity.

Newton Public Schools has more information about Dover Legacy Scholars posted on its website. The school district explains:

DLS is a community within NNHS of young Black and Latinx scholars: students who work hard and are interested in pursuing their academics seriously. Scholars are involved in extracurricular life and are experiencing success at the ACP or honors level. They seek challenge. In their pursuit of challenge, they feel they would benefit from some extra support from mentors and from a group of peers with whom they can identify.

The district continues to explain that “DLS meets weekly for homeroom and for program-themed events, seminars, and field trips.” Students in the program “are each assigned a faculty mentor who meets with each mentee monthly, formally and informally, to help kids stay on track.” These students “have access to the DLS study room’s computers, printer, textbooks, and study groups.” The district further explains that the program is for “rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors of Black, African American, or Latinx descent.”

The Newton Schools Foundation explains on its website: “Since 1985 Newton Schools Foundation has provided grants to Newton Public School teachers and staff totaling over $4 million. Supporters and donors include parents, community members, and businesses who share the belief that strong public schools are essential to the quality of life and future well-being of the City.” The Newton Schools Foundation has a page on its website for the larger organization “Families Organizing for Racial Justice.”

The page explains about the organization: “This group of diverse Newton families helps children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. The organization seeks to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and to work together towards racial equity.” The page does not provide details but states that $2,500 was approved with Newton Public Schools on May 3, 2021. A total $11,500 has been approved, according to the page.