June 3, 2020
Dear Parents, Staff, and Community,
I feel a sense of urgency to connect with you on a matter we care about--parent to parent, educator to educator. Our schools must be places where all students, staff, parents, community members, and guests feel belonging, acceptance, and value.
The District has made it clear in the past and we make it clear now: hate has no place in our schools or community. We stand for respect, acceptance, and inclusion for ALL. We do not condone racism in any form.
The horrific deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have sparked people to act and reflect - truly reflect upon why our society is in this position. As a District, we must do the same and consider how we can go further to be actively anti-racist. We have a responsibility to our students, our staff, and our community to listen, to broaden our perspective, and to identify productive ways to take action and make change.
As educators, we will continue to expand conversations about how our schools can develop citizens who demand equity, uphold human dignity, and promote peace. Both staff members and parents have reached out this week and shared they are eager to draw our community together around these principles. Schools are uniquely positioned to work alongside our communities in meaningful ways.
As a parent, it can be difficult to know where to start a conversation about race with your child. We know that it is important to talk with children honestly using age-appropriate language. In an effort to support you, we are sharing resources we have found helpful that you may choose to use:
