Dear LREI Community,
Hello. I write to you after an interesting day at LREI. No matter where families are on the issues, your children are feeling the election results in a deep and meaningful way. How this played out in school differed by divisions, as age and the understanding that it brings, truly guide these sorts of responses. The very long note that follows has several components—a few observations made throughout the day, a note that I sent to the staff this morning, a few resources, an invitation, and a final thought.
Comments
The lobby of the Sixth Avenue building was its usual busy place this morning, but the energy and conversations were all focused on the elections. As I stood at the door a number of lower school children commented on the election results, even though it was nearly impossible for them to understand the meaning of what they said. The day started in many classrooms with conversations about the election and an opportunity for students to process their thoughts, feelings, and questions with their colleagues. Fears and disappointment expressed as needed, the students slowly but surely resumed their comforting routine, though I am sure that the teachers will return to the topics generated by these initial conversations.
Middle school classes had similar conversations, though they were illustrated with the deeper understanding of the issues that the older students bring to the table. One group of sixth graders created a list entitled, “What We Believe.” Worth reviewing! I met with a group of seventh graders and asked them if they are upset by the election results what they were planning to do about it. At some point, concern, sadness, upset, anger, outrage have to turn to action. We heard the beginning of some good ideas. The seventh grade spent a block of time today at a dance performance, and the non-election focused arts experience seemed to hit the spot!
The high school began the day with grade level meetings. The students felt that these gatherings were too short and, as the conversations were organized by adults, they were not as student centered as the youngsters would have liked. After the first class period a group of students initiated a student gathering in the auditorium that grew to include most of the 11th and 12th grades. Realizing that they were too large a group the students asked for additional spaces, allowing them to split into three discussion groups. Ninth and tenth graders joined in later in the morning, with the conversations continuing until mid-day. I listened to snippets of each of the three groups and was impressed by the passion, the knowledge, and the clear headedness that the students brought to their time together. I am so proud of the students and of the adults, in all three divisions, for making time for these discussions. Interesting to note that we all deal with these issues in our own ways. A student walked into one of the rooms I was visiting, saw me, leaned over and said, “I just need to have math.”
Note to the faculty (written at 6:00A.M.)
Colleagues, good morning. A quick note as I rush to get to LREI. Today will be a challenging day. Interesting, sobering, but challenging for many, if not all. Months ago I wrote a note in which I imagined a school where the community would wake to a day like today with genuine optimism and excitement. And, while there are members of our community who genuinely believe and support much of what our new president stands for, most, and all to a great degree, are aghast at the election’s affirmation of fear, bigotry, racism, sexism, and hate.
Many of our students have listened to the adults in their lives (myself included) go on and on about their fear of a Trump presidency….and here we are. Today, we must continue to hear them and to speak with them but we must find a way to help them make sense of the election results and try to put the next four years into the perspective of their lifetime, of the country’s lifetime, all within the context of this test to democracy and patriotism—ours and the country’s.
Today, more than any time in recent memory, the divides that separate communities in America are clear; plainly seen. The election results made red and blue what have been simmering, and boiling, for the past eight years, and obviously before that. As the immediacy of the news fades, maybe we can be of some use, in our community’s own small way, in working to bridge this gap. We must do so, as a nation, if we are to move ahead.
I spent yesterday, as you might know, working at my local polling place. A better view of the grassroots of democracy you could not find. More on this later. But, for now, let me say that I have never had a stronger belief in the power of the people. Two wise “words” that came my way last night. One person said to me, quite late, “A lot of people have said that if Trump wins, they will move. I think that the patriotic thing to do is to stay and to not give up our country.” Another, a colleague of yours said, “I think that we as adults need to resist the temptation to despair. (I am not doing a good job of that tonight.) I don’t mean to sound corny, but what would Elisabeth Irwin do? Gird for the good fight!”
Today is a day for level heads, clear thinking, passion, honesty, and the best of what it means to teach in our great school (made so every day by all of you.)
Resources
- An interesting article from the Huffington Post.
- An Election Night message from President Obama.
- Five excellent pieces of parenting advice.
An Invitation:
Dear Parents,
Our parent community at LREI offers us a space to talk about our hopes and fears, both for our children and for the world we live in. This week’s election results have hit many of us hard. Several parents reached out to Phil this morning to ask about how we talk to our kids and come together. So, let’s gather and talk – about the kids’ feelings and our feelings. Regardless of who you voted for, we as a country have work to do.
We’ll meet at 8:45am in the Sixth Avenue cafeteria for about an hour. Phil will join us as much as his schedule allows.
See you in the morning. Love will prevail.
Kerry & Kobi
Last Thoughts
A reminder, not all families at LREI are of the same political mind. There has to be room for differing views on the issues. However, when it comes to the espoused bigotry that was present during the campaign, this is in direct opposition to the school’s mission and we will speak about it plainly and without equivocation.
I encourage you to find time to be with your family this weekend, to find a family and friend focused, life affirming activity to do together. Reconnect over something other than the news and renew your energies.