Speak up on behalf of schools, students
It is wrong to seize upon inherently isolated events and cast them as somehow characteristic of our highly progressive schools.
I am a school parent who has been heavily involved in various ways over the last nine years. I know firsthand that our schools are diverse, vibrant, and overwhelmingly positive places. I think this is due first to the basic nature of our community, and also to the schools’ sincere and intensive inclusion programming, which taps outside expertise and is a significant part of the educational experience.
Any incident of hurtful language or bullying is terrible and must be properly addressed. But it is wrong to seize upon inherently isolated events and cast them as somehow characteristic of our highly progressive schools. Any such suggestion is untrue, and it defames not just our schools’ adults, but the thousands of students themselves, who engage in innumerable respectful and positive personal interactions each day and who deserve to have that recognized and affirmed.
Those who wish for different or more extensive inclusion efforts, or even new leadership, have every right to express their opinions. But I do not understand why some town residents have seen fit to speak so harshly on this topic (“bastions of hate”) and/or so extremely (e.g., calling peremptorily for firings). This atmosphere has now led to scarecrows targeting female school leaders, and there is no question that this campaign is creating fear, depressing morale at the schools, and discouraging civic participation — especially among parents, since engaging in barbed public debates conflicts with the sensitive work of raising children.
I ask that other similarly minded parents try their best, despite this atmosphere, to speak up on behalf of our schools and our students.
Helen Clancy
Monsen Road
