Dear Lovejoy Families,
My heart is hurting. There is no way I will ever fully understand the intense struggles that many across our community, state, and nation face each and every day. However, I do understand what it means to be discouraged, hurt, and angry when it comes to racism.
I grew up in a mixed family. My adopted uncle, who is almost a year older than me, is one of my heroes and forever friends. He is Black. I am White. We both knew growing up we had different skin color, different types of hair, but we had the same heart, passion for fun, and an intense love of family. I saw and experienced first hand the ways in which he was treated differently. On occasion, I admittedly didn’t handle the situation well and often let my anger at those who “stared,” poked fun, or even physically bullied, to get the best of me. But, he is my family, and we defend our family when they are wronged and know they would do the same in return. The same was true for hundreds of my high school and college football teammates that I huddled with; our common mission resulted in us becoming lifelong friends and a family.
During times like these, it is important for us to not just hope all gets better, but to bring forth action that makes each one of us better.
Our Graduate Profile was written with the development of the whole child in mind: Academically Prepared, Open to Challenges of Learning, Engaged in a Healthy Lifestyle, Fair and Respectful, Well Rounded, and Works for Justice through Community Service.
As a district and a community, we have a responsibility to ensure that we respect, love, value, welcome, and provide justice for ALL. We are One Heart. One Lovejoy.
Recent weeks have brought to light once again, that as a nation, there still is much work to be done. That is also true of us as a district and a community. Our best today can always be better tomorrow.
We must stand for ALL of our students, and as a district, we are committed to doing just that. Will you join me?
We will not waiver in ensuring a safe environment based on mutual respect for ALL students to learn, grow, and reach their dreams. Will you join me?
We will continue to take hard stands against anything or anyone that exhibits behaviors, shares words, or acts in ways that try to demean or destroy, rather than build, support, and encourage. That is not who we are or the standard upon which Lovejoy was built. Will you join me?
These past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to connect, listen, and learn from several of our students, staff, and parents as I focused on moving beyond just words to action.
I am committed to engaging us as a district to grow to a better understanding, respect, and appreciation for our ALL in our Lovejoy family.
Through our community based strategic planning process, we will create a Diversity Action Team that will enter into courageous conversations to listen, to learn, and then act.
If you are interested in joining us in this work, we encourage students, parents, and the community to sign up below and join the team dedicated to leading this work throughout our district.
We have seen our community come together and unite in ways like never before, and it serves as a constant reminder that we are One Heart. One Lovejoy. One Family!
