Student Activities

Student Groups are activities that take place as part of the school day, during class time, or lunch.

This program is a long-time tradition of pairing pre-kindergarten and fourth graders, kindergarten and fifth graders, and first and sixth graders together throughout the year. Students interact by reading to one another, celebrating holidays together, or just by being with one another during lunch or recess. This program ensures that older students help younger ones feel welcome and secure. These associations help build a strong sense of community and true respect among the children at the different grade levels.

Student Council provides fourth, fifth and sixth graders the wonderful opportunity to be leaders in their school. Each child serves as part of Student Council for one-third of the school year. The Sixth Graders are assigned the responsibility of being co-presidents, treasurer, secretary and school reporters for their “term in office.” Parliamentary procedure keeps the Tuesday lunch meetings running smoothly, as all the students offer suggestions as to what projects to take on, and how to organize, advertise, and, implement them. Activities can range from sponsoring a winter coat collection for those in need, to a beautification project in connection with Earth Day that includes a fundraiser to buy flowers for the whole school to plant on campus, to promoting less waste in the lunchroom via posters and announcements. A perennial favorite is organizing a “Grub Day” - the opportunity to dress outside of Tenacre’s dress code (celebrity day, pajama day, beach day) in exchange for bringing in $1 to be donated to a charity. The children are enthusiastic and creative, and thoroughly enjoy their opportunity to make suggestions which can impact school life.

Boys to Men is a group for boys in grades 5 and 6 that aims to help them develop the confidence and courage to stand up for what is right and become leaders both inside and outside of school. Members discuss current events, social norms, and trends, as well as what it means to be a boy at Tenacre and in society more broadly,  and how those experiences shape their journey from boyhood to young adulthood.

Girls Can is a group for girls in grades 5 and 6 that provides a respectful, supportive, and fun environment where girls can discuss important topics, collaborate on projects, empower themselves and one another, and build self-confidence. Students explore what it means to be a girl at Tenacre and in the world, and use this knowledge to explore current events and trends related to this group identity. Members also develop strategies to support one another as they navigate the often-challenging social dynamics of this age, particularly those unique to girls, thereby strengthening the bonds that have been forged between them. 

Lunch Bunch is a social group where students of color in grades 2 and 3 have the opportunity to come together for lunch once a month in an environment where they make up the racial majority. Students discuss their families, cultures, shared and varied interests, etc, and get to know each other on a deeper level. Through read-alouds, group discussions, and other activities, students develop close friendships and explore what it means to be a student of color in the younger grades.

Mochi Mates provides Asian, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander students in grades 4, 5, and 6 a place to discuss topics and share their culture, lived experiences, and the pride they feel in this part of their identity. The group helps children see the value of their heritage while also learning about the diversity within the AAPI community. It encourages friendships, fosters understanding, and gives students the confidence to bring their whole selves to school.

The Multicultural Group is open to all students in grades 4–6 who are interested in connecting across grades and learn more about various cultures represented at Tenacre and around the world. Together, they explore what culture means, compare and contrast their own cultural backgrounds with those of others, reflect on Tenacre’s school culture, and discuss ways to further strengthen our inclusive school community. The group also provides older students with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills by sharing what they’ve learned with the wider school community.

Stuversity provides students of color in grades 4, 5, and 6 the opportunity to explore their identities in a space where they identify as part of the majority group. Students engage in conversations about race, identity, culture, and the commonalities and differences between different ethnic communities. Throughout the year, students form and strengthen meaningful connections across grade levels, creating a strong sense of community and belonging. 

Wakanda Style provides Black and African American students in grades 4, 5, and 6 with a dedicated space to explore topics unique to their experiences, which may not be applicable to other students of color. In this group, children engage in thoughtful conversations and collaborate with peers, while centering their racial identity without feeling pressured to speak for all people who share this identity. Wakanda Style fosters strong connections across grades throughout the year, empowering students to explore their shared and differing identities as members of the African Diaspora.