Dear Renbrook Families,
Yesterday’s assault on the US Capitol evoked many emotions – fear, anger, sorrow – and our heart breaks for our children who see a reprehensible example of one of our democracy’s most cherished traditions – the peaceful transfer of power. Our role as educators and as leaders of an institution upon which so many rely to guide our children evokes two strong responses: first, to assure our students of their safety and the durability of institutions that protect our collective well-being; and second, to strengthen our resolve to teach the most important values of democracy and citizenship so that our children understand our role in forming a more perfect union.
As a school serving two through 14 year-olds, our care and support take different forms. For our youngest learners in the ELC and younger Lower School grades, we will continue to provide a nurturing and engaging experience without reference to these events unless a child raises a concern. If they do, we will assure them of their safety and emphasize the order that has been restored.
In our Lower School, students’ exposure to social media, television, internet news, and parental conversations will elicit a variety of background knowledge, and children will share their feelings with one another, sometimes out of earshot of a teacher. Our approach is to acknowledge basic facts of these events, discuss norms of conversation around sensitive issues, and focus on democratic values that will guide us through this dark chapter. We want to emphasize a universal repudiation of this behavior and direct a course forward focused on basic elements of respect and citizenship.
In the Upper School, where we encourage our students to be informed, engaged citizens with developing personal views, we take an appropriately more mature approach. An initial focus on processing emotions will give way to an affirmation of facts. We will hold discussions around the failures of leadership, appropriate protest, and our civic responsibilities. Respecting our relational norms in this charged environment will, naturally, be messier. We believe, however, that engaged citizenship requires these important conversations, and our skilled teachers are well-equipped to lead these fruitful discussions.
In his professional role as Abraham Lincoln impersonator, Mr. Wright addressed the Upper School in costume and delivered remarks from relevant speeches, imploring the community to consider resolving our problems, “with the ballot, not the bullet.” With this historical context, we remind our community that our hopes for a sustained improvement in the ways we live together will come through education, an appreciation of the responsibilities of citizenship, and respect and empathy for our fellow man and woman. Be assured that we take our role seriously in this endeavor, and we pledge to partner with you in helping our children take on the mantel of leadership that our country needs.
Please find some helpful links below if you’re wondering how best to approach these challenging conversations with your children.
My very best,
Matt Sigrist
Head of School
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