My St. Philip’s Family,
I write this letter to you today with conflicting emotions of a heavy heart and a hopeful spirit. The recent displays of injustice across our country have filled us with shock, horror, and disappointment in a facet of humankind. Conversely, the emails, texts, and calls to action by you, our St. Philip’s community, have given me hope for brighter days ahead. I understand that for some there are feelings of acrimony, outrage, and sadness. For others, there are feelings of confusion, grief, and sorrow. As people of faith, we must continue to choose love. As parents, we must continue to set the example. And as educators, we must continue to teach.
Before the pandemic brought our world to a halt, and before the current state of social affairs took an uncompromising grip on our country, our academic team began the task of reviewing our curriculum and developing strategies to close any gaps. Within that process we incorporated mindfulness activities, during which we can have meaningful conversations around how we treat one another and purposeful discussions about our differences. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not words that should simply enter our lexicon haphazardly. We must be intentional about our efforts. We have an opportunity to raise children of character and conviction. We have an opportunity to mold minds that see the world in ways that are different from past generations. And we therefore have an obligation to address issues and concerns of racism and injustice in a developmentally appropriate manner--even with our youngest learners. It is incumbent upon us today to empower all of our students to lead the diverse and ever-changing world they will inherit tomorrow.
Parents also need a safe space to have thoughtful discussions about these complex conversations. To that end, I am working with our Chaplain, Blanca Famadas, and the new School Home Association President (SHA), Jennifer Montoya, to develop avenues for parents to explore and discuss societal challenges that directly and indirectly impact our families. Partnering with SHA provides a medium whereby our parents may collaborate and share ideas of ways to educate, empower, uplift, and support our community. We will work together to find opportunities to lean into that which is uncomfortable, and different.
In closing, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to you. Thank you for wanting our world to be a kinder place and for partnering with us to teach your children to be kind people of character. As educators, we have a lofty responsibility and an even heavier charge. And that is to fill your children’s earliest years with positive examples of Christianity in the Episcopal tradition, and to lay the foundation for understanding equity, inclusion, and service to others. That is a calling we do not take lightly. Although we are experiencing difficult times as a nation, our community remains strong, and our desire to continue to learn, pray, worship, and love each other remains even stronger.
Respectfully,
