A Conversation on Racism

It is hard to believe that we have been in the classroom with students for a full 8 days! I love the way our county has a 3-day week to start, then 5 days, and then 4 days. Catching my breath after the back to school chaos has begun I now welcome with Labor Day off.

Now all the schools in Virginia will be in session this coming week. As we continue on our journey to be the best educators we can be, let's reflect on some recent events. July and August were incredibly difficult months in Charlottesville, Virginia. As educators, we need to be prepared and aware of the need to address the concerns of students and of our community.

The events in Charlottesville cut to the heart of the community, a sense of well-being and safety was violated. I, along with other educators and community members, discussed these events and the underlying systemic racism in our county, our institutions, and in ourselves. The questions of how to respond and what to do next were asked, although the answers were more individually based. Someone during this conversation said- our children are waiting for us to start the conversation. What we say and how we respond sets the tone for our students.

Both the county and the city school's websites have listings of resources that you can use. Even if you are uncomfortable in having a conversation, you need to deal with your discomfort and show our students that even we can do things that are difficult for us- because it is important to us. I say this to myself as I say it to you- reach out and be a part of the conversation.