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WINTER
2001 Drew Smith
Head of School
I want to share with the Quarter how the school has officially responded to the events of September 11. I am sure that most of you are aware of, and have read, the responses issued by the Yearly Meeting and other important Friends organizations. I have reprinted those responses for parents at school. Most parents I’ve spoken with are pleased that the school has kept them informed about the Quaker perspective.
I know that teachers at the school, Friends or not, will continue to educate our students in a manner that demonstrates alternatives to violence and promotes a deeper understanding of community, whether that community is a classroom or the family of nations. I am hopeful that in some way our efforts here can serve as a counterbalance to the popular view here in the United States that military action is the primary means by which justice will be served for the September 11 attack.
From Notes for Parents, October 2001:
Today marks one month since the tragic events of September 11. I am still glued to my television, although not quite as much as these past few days. My feelings continue to alternate between sadness and numbness. I feel grateful that all of the members of our greater school community are safe and accounted for.
I thought it would be helpful for all of you to read the official response of Quakers to the tragedy. The mission of our school is driven by the tenets of Quakerism, and consequently, our own response as a school in our classrooms is necessarily rooted in those same tenets. As you will read, Quakers are most interested in promoting healing and understanding, not just among citizens of the United States, but citizens of the world. Quakers are concerned that there will be those in the world who will need relief, and Quakers intend to work to provide that relief. Most importantly, Quakers hope for peace to prevail, and to end the cycle of violent resolutions to conflicts among peoples and nations.
In addition to the Quaker response printed here, I am also attaching an informational piece about talking with your children about the events of the 11th. The piece comes to us from the National Association of Independent Schools. Most independent schools in our area have made it available to their parents, and we will be no exception. I hope it can be helpful.
As I said to those of you who attended Back-to-School Night, I am confident that our teachers and principals have responded to children with the right balance of honesty, concern, and compassion. Teachers remain watchful of their students, and continue, as always, to develop the community of care that is the primary mission of our school.
As I walk through the hallways, I can hear students and teachers going about the business of learning. That business will help all of us here at school, children and adults alike, begin to understand our feelings about September 11th, and to help us return to a differently informed, but normal, life. I do not yet know what that normal will be, but I do know that whatever it is, students likely will help show the way.
The school feels good this fall. It feels together. As the Head, I couldn’t be more pleased with our staff, with the terrific group of almost 300 students, and with the level of support I am feeling from all of you as parents. And we are a few months away from opening the best teaching space the school has ever had.
I can assure you all that we will continue to cultivate this good feeling and that we will do whatever we can to make this a safe and secure place for your children to be.
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Last modified:
Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
