A Letter from Bo

 

Dear Friends,

 

In the wake of the grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York, our nation is grappling with urgent and important issues. These decisions — and the recent events surrounding them — have surfaced concerns and questions that our students have regarding social justice, our court system and, for some, their own safety.

As a Quaker school dedicated to the principles of peacemaking and nonviolence, Friends strives to help our students process their emotions and concerns in meaningful ways. This important work has already begun. Last Thursday, students in grades 8 through 12 — along with faculty and staff — attended an open Meeting for Worship. Students were excused from class to attend and reflect together in the Meetinghouse about recent events.

In the coming days, we have planned a series of educational opportunities at Friends involving thinking, feeling, and doing. In times like this, I appreciate working at a Quaker school in which administrators, faculty and staff are prepared and able to respond appropriately. We have always recognized the importance of a sustained dialogue on racial equality in our nation and the complexities of race, power and privilege. With that said, we reaffirm our commitment to provide such educational opportunities to our faculty and students. Much of this work will continue to be the focus of our planned Center for Peace, Equity and Justice, which will have a home in our new buildings through the upcoming campus redevelopment plan.

First and foremost, we want to attend to the emotional health and well-being of our students. Parents should encourage their children to seek out school counselors, our Director of Diversity, our three student deans, or any other adults within our school community with whom they feel comfortable. On Monday, faculty will meet for an educators discussion. During this time, diversity leaders, our school psychologist and other administrators will be available to talk with teachers as they identify what they may need when serving in support roles in the days and weeks ahead.

Lastly, for those who feel called to be involved in the coming weeks, the School is organizing efforts to promote positive change and deeper understanding of recent events.  Please see the evolving list at the bottom of this page.

Additional age-appropriate information from Division Heads, along with other resources, can be accessed through the following links:

Please don't hesitate to be in touch with any of us if you have questions or suggestions.

In friendship,

Bo Lauder

Principal

 

An open Meeting for Worship will be held from 3:30-4:15 p.m. (doors will open in the Meetinghouse at 3:15 p.m.). Following the Meeting, refreshments will be served in the Cafeteria. From 4:30-5 p.m., faculty will meet for an educators discussion.

During the school day, an optional lunch conversation for Middle School students will be facilitated by Cynthia Chalker and Jason Craige Harris. Later in the day, members of the Upper School student group C.A.R.E, in conjunction with the Diversity Office, will host a conversation from 3:13-5:30 p.m. in the Library. Benny Vasquez, a leading consultant on equity and justice education will facilitate the discussion. Students in grades 7-12 are invited to attend.

Friends is organizing a group of US students and faculty to attend the National March on Washington in response to the recent grand jury decisions. Friends will travel to this peaceful protest by chartered bus, leaving the School in the morning and coming back in the early evening. Those in our community who are unable to make the trip to the national march, should consider participating in the local Millions March NYC at Washington Square Park at 2 p.m. on the same day.

Former Visiting Scholar (2012-2013) Jeffrey Toobin, CNN legal analyst and the preeminent writer about the current Supreme Court, will return to Friends on December 18 to lead a morning assembly with students in grades 7 through 12. The assembly will focus on the structure and complexities of our nation’s judicial system in light of the recent Grand Jury decisions. Click here and here to read about his past residency at Friends.

Classes will be suspended on this day in order for faculty and US students to have opportunities to learn about identity, privilege and power, and how social constructs relate to challenges within our communities. Through a variety of workshop topics, they will encounter both pressing issues and organizations through which intentional and sustainable community engagement can be realized. One of our visiting speakers during Day of Concern will be Derrick Gay, who will be facilitating three workshops on issues of community life, diversity and inclusion. Later in the year, he will return to work with the Middle School.