A slick brochure won’t excuse ‘intolerant, unwelcoming schools’

The Acton School Committees and administration are busy writing the “Story of Schools” focusing on “priorities, student success stories, and district data for Concordians” (The Acton Bridge, July 25, 2025).

I understand the motivation to improve communication and think it is wise to explain to taxpayers where their money is going.

However, this is not the school story that I want to hear. I am looking forward to hearing a school story in which antisemitism is not tolerated and being Jewish is celebrated… even cool.

Students can’t learn and grow to become our future leaders if their teachers and school administration turn a blind eye to hate and bullying. Students can sniff out hypocrisy and take their school’s claims of excellence with a grain of salt if they, or any of their friends, are denigrated or seen to be invisible. Or when bullies are taught not to fear consequences — rather, to expect silence.

It is ironic that the school committees and administration were writing their version of our schools while the Anti-Defamation League was writing a much darker story of intolerant and unwelcoming schools. A slick brochure will not paper over the reality that is right in front of us.

I strongly suggest that the Acton school committees and Superintendent Laurie Hunter, in particular, begin a deep dialogue with students, the community, and faith leaders about what really goes on in our schools. And, as one wise student said, don’t do this top down, with the administration defining the dialogue; rather, put students and parents, especially our Jewish students and parents, front and center.

It is the Jewish community whose trust the school administration, and Acton, must win back. We can do this. Let’s get started now.

Ellen Quackenbush

Prairie Street