June 19, 2021
Dear Green Hedges Families,
As we recognize Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, I want to take a moment to reflect upon and honor this now federal holiday.
As you may know, President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became effective on January 1, 1863, but the news took time to travel. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, two and a half years later, that word of the proclamation was brought by the Union Army to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, making them among the last to be freed. We celebrate Juneteenth to commemorate the news of freedom for so many on this day.
As a school, we continue to explore and learn ways to incorporate the history of African Americans into our School culture and curriculum. This past school year, faculty and staff, Middle School students, and the Board of Trustees spent time with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice expert Jen Cort to learn more about each of these issues and how we can create an environment in our classrooms where we learn, honor, and celebrate the diverse world in which we live. We recognize that there is so much work ahead of us, but we know that we must always begin by creating opportunities to learn from each other and honor traditions and holidays that are so important to this country’s history.
On this Juneteenth, I encourage you and your family to take time to learn more about the significance of this day and create a space for dialogue. We will do our part this coming school year to continue our important learning on issues of race, diversity, and equity. As always, I welcome your thoughts and encourage you to reach out to me with thoughts and ideas you may have.
Warmly,
