Neighbor Clubs

Gathering together around common interests. That sums up what we do in Neighbor Clubs!

Students grades 6 to 12 are divided into small groups for Neighbor Clubs which meet each Thursday for 20 minutes. The goal is to create a safe and familiar space for a time to build relationships across grades around a common interest. It's a time to pray together - or play together!  Clubs have included affinities such as books, baseball, basketball, gardening, board games, chess, music, hacky-sack, creative writing, and resting. Other popular clubs are walking and talking, or sip and chat -- where groups discuss school-wide issues, personal concerns, and current events.

Circle process

Sometimes, leaders use a circle process to facilitate conversation. Participants might pass a "talking piece." Only the person with the talking piece may talk; others listen. Participants can "pass" when the piece comes to them if they aren't comfortable sharing. Everyone has a chance to be heard.

By using the circle process in some Neighbor Clubs, the format is familiar and comfortable. It's a process that the school sometimes used as part of restorative discipline processes or if a group needs to work through a conflict.