Dear Providence Day community:
We know there is much more to say about the events of recent weeks and our own school's role as we move forward. We issued a statement from the school's leadership earlier this week and emailed it to our families, and I am linking to it again here in case you were not able to read it previously. This was not, by any means, our only word nor final word on this subject.
I would like to invite all members of our community - current families, alumni, alumni parents, faculty/staff, Golden Chargers - to join us in a discussion next Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. We will livestream this discussion which will feature myself; Nadia Johnson, our Director of Equity and Inclusion; and our Division Heads: Erin Harper of Lower School, Michael Magno of Middle School, and Eric Hedinger of Upper School. We are asking you to contact us directly with your questions or topics you would like to see addressed during this forum. Please click here to submit your input; please try to respond by the end of the day on Monday, June 8, if possible so that we may address the maximum number of responses during our time together.
Please read below for an important message from our Office of Equity and Inclusion and our School Counselors.
Please stay safe and well,
Dr. Glyn Cowlishaw
Dear Providence Day families:
Amidst a global pandemic, we, and in particular families of color, are trying to process the racism, oppression, and violent acts taking place in our country. Systemic racism has created a fertile ground that has led to the stigmatization and heightened discrimination of many groups. In the age of COVID-19, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have suffered stigmatization and the African American and Hispanic/Latino American communities have disproportionately suffered as well. This systemic racism has permitted the continued violence against the Black community.
Our shared humanity urges us to move with compassionate empathy, by trying to put ourselves in someone else's shoes. The unjust deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other losses due to acts of violence and racism are upsetting and haunting. The resulting emotional experiences-- anger, sadness, confusion, fear, vulnerability-- are complicated and vary from person to person.
As a country and as a school we have work to do. We hope the family-feel of our diverse community can foster safe spaces to allow for the needed difficult and courageous conversations where we can listen and learn from each other. At PD, we model this in the classroom: celebrating a range of perspectives, and leaning into the PD Passport character dispositions: courage, empathy, patience, and respect.
Although we are not able to be together in our classrooms and on campus, we still have the responsibility to care for one another. PD School Counselors, in collaboration with the Office of Equity and Inclusion, continue to support our school community during this time of crisis by providing support and resources.
We know that children are like sponges and will absorb the way the adults in their lives respond and model acceptance and humanity towards others. We hope that the below tips and resources will help assist you in navigating conversations to foster safety, connection, and awareness.
- Build in space for family reflection, conversation and connection
How to Talk with Kids About Racism - Provide reassurance and listen to fears. Use statements like "I hear you…" and "Yes, this is confusing"
What White Children Need to Know About Race
Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent's Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice (Teaching Tolerance)
Speak Up Pocket Guide - Remain calm and compassionate as our children take their cues from adults
10 Tips for Teaching and Talking to Kids About Race - Be open to engaging in the conversation. Fear of saying the wrong thing can lead to saying nothing at all.
How to be Anti-racist (audio)
Is My Skin Brown Because I Drank Too Much Chocolate Milk? (TEDxStanford) - Provide perspective and field questions. Using literature can be a helpful springboard for conversation
31 Children's Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, & Resistance
10 Young Adult Books That Tackle Racism
Books About Racism and Social Justice
Black History Movies that Tackle Racism - Monitor and/or limit news and social media viewing and identify ways to address your feelings and gain knowledge
Obama- Anguish and Action - Reflect on your own experiences
Understanding Race and Privilege - Educate yourself on racism so that you are better able to support your children
Books on Racism
Systemic Racism Explained (Video)
Anti-Asian Racism and Covid-19 - Take care of yourself
Filling our Cups: 4 Ways People of Color can Foster Mental Health and Practice Restorative Healing
We hope that you take this time to read, reflect, and engage with both the young people and adults in your life in conversations around how we can confront racism every day. Safeguarding our young people means that we all must do the hard work to think and act equitably, show up for our students and faculty of color, interrogate our own biases, and live an actively anti-racist life.
At this time, we must focus on our shared humanity and prioritize learning and talking about the root causes of the current protests and the interracial activism. This is a time to come together, listen, learn, share in grief and in hope, and act for a more just, equitable, and racially conscious world. We feel hopeful that the PDS community can come together to support each other to be the best versions of ourselves.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns. As always the division counselors are available to support you and your children for individual conversations or to connect you with local referrals for therapists who specialize in issues around racial identity.
Warm Regards,
