January 7, 2020
Dear Fairport Community:
Yesterday afternoon we were all receiving multiple alerts and text messages of the protests and unrest at our Nation’s Capitol. Since then, the news outlets and social media feeds have been surreal, sharing unearthly footage of the desecration of the United States Capitol Building. Right now, the Nation is stunned and trying to make meaning of what occurred.
Ironically, this past week, the Board of Education and District leaders have been discussing how to support our students academically and social emotionally in this very different school year. Over the past 10 months our students have experienced so much; they have had to contend with the pandemic and the challenges of isolation, along with a cast of unsettling events motivated by human behavior. This latest event only confounds their experiences as they try to make sense of their world during this time in our history.
Amid the turmoil, it is important to reinforce to our students that our schools are ultimately safe places and that we care for how they view the world. Ultimately, they need to know that we are here for them and committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a culture of CARE (Civility, Awareness, Respect and Embracing Differences) throughout all of our schools. Anger, hate and divisiveness will not be tolerated in our schools or interrupt our learning environments.
Please know that there are caring adults available in our schools if students need help processing yesterday’s events. Please contact your child’s principal if you would like someone at school to reachout to her or him directly. Below are some resources to help students process the events that have unfolded. It is important that you and your children have resources at your disposal to have constructive and growth producing conversations.
- Responding to Tragedy: Resources for Educators and Parents
- Discussing Difficult Situations with Your Children
- When the News is Scary, What to Say to Kids
Your partnership with us is so important and often unpredictable. We cannot control world events. The only thing we can guarantee is that we will always be there for our students to listen to them and provide unconditional support.
Sincerely,
Brett Provenzano
Superintendent of Schools