Dear parents,
October brings a welcome change of season and is the month we enjoy several VMS traditions. This year, although we are unable to host the Harvest Festival, we have received many fall photos of harvest experiences shared by families and classrooms that we are compiling in a video montage for your enjoyment.
This Friday, October 2, there will be no school or childcare, on campus or online. The staff and faculty will participate in professional development by coming together via Zoom to further our training and discussions on the topic of unconscious implicit bias. Because our experiences in the world are reflected in our brains, it is deeply relevant to continue to learn and openly discuss the sometimes-difficult topic of implicit bias. As a staff, we are reading the book Biased-Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do by Jennifer Eberhardt, PhD. I highly recommend this book and hope you will read it along with the VMS staff.
Last school year, we conducted a climate survey that helped gage our progress in meeting our equity and inclusion goals at VMS, learning what we do well and where we need to grow and develop. Soon, we will be extending an invitation to you, our parent community, to join us in deeper discussions on the topic of Equity and Inclusion.
United Nations/World Cultures Day will be celebrated differently this year as well. We are excited to ask for your help to create a VMS cookbook. One highlight of previous UN / World Cultures Day gatherings included the sharing of wonderful food which showcased family recipes from many cultures. Hopefully, the VMS cookbook will inspire you to prepare and experience some new recipes from our community! In the past, we gathered the students and parents together to sing and share words about peace and friendship. This important tradition will take on a different format this year. I am sure you will be delighted with the school-wide video we are creating together to enjoy as a community.
βAn education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking: it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.β βMaria Montessori
Thank you for your partnership and support as together we do our very best to raise and educate the next generation.
Kind Regards,
Ann
