“Building a more inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed, is a significant challenge. The challenge we are addressing impacts our entire school population. It is however, something we have the power to overcome. In order for real change to occur and long awaited answers to be provided, a Staples High School social infrastructure has to be constructed.
“So, how do we begin to create this social infrastructure? I believe it starts with the strategic building of community—an effort which started in earnest at the beginning of this school year.
“While we will surely never be finished-much like our country’s everlasting struggle in regards to equality for all—I believe in and have faith in our students, faculty and administration. Working together, over time, we will create a robust social infrastructure in order to achieve a cohesive and inclusive school community.
“If you were to create a visual representation of what I see when I view the school community as a whole, the image of an unfinished puzzle comes to mind. The pieces are all there, the image on the box is astonishing, but it just needs to be connected.
“Enter the key role that the Connections program will play in the gradual building of our community. We know that a school community is more than just a group of students attending a particular school. A community is a group of people we lean on when times are tough; who are there for each other when we need love, support and encouragement. I have seen this with regularity this year, but too frequently, in separate groups. We are going to change this.
“In my latest podcast ‘This is a Wreckording: My First 100 Days,’ I addressed the need to develop a school community and commented on our progress towards creating a school experience that speaks to all of our students. We are working on identifying bias, being mindful of behaviors which could be viewed as offensive and ultimately are working towards accepting all students on a more open and consistent basis.
“Towards this end, we are strengthening our partnership with Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism (TEAM) Westport, our community based partners, who are assisting us in our efforts to develop a more inclusive school environment.
“I thank you for taking the time to read this. You have my assurance that we will develop the social infrastructure necessary to make Staples the best high school for all of our students; a place where everyone shares in our Wreckers Pride.”
“Building a more inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed, is a significant challenge. The challenge we are addressing impacts our entire school population. It is however, something we have the power to overcome. In order for real change to occur and long awaited answers to be provided, a Staples High School social infrastructure has to be constructed.
“So, how do we begin to create this social infrastructure? I believe it starts with the strategic building of community—an effort which started in earnest at the beginning of this school year.
“While we will surely never be finished-much like our country’s everlasting struggle in regards to equality for all—I believe in and have faith in our students, faculty and administration. Working together, over time, we will create a robust social infrastructure in order to achieve a cohesive and inclusive school community.
“If you were to create a visual representation of what I see when I view the school community as a whole, the image of an unfinished puzzle comes to mind. The pieces are all there, the image on the box is astonishing, but it just needs to be connected.
“Enter the key role that the Connections program will play in the gradual building of our community. We know that a school community is more than just a group of students attending a particular school. A community is a group of people we lean on when times are tough; who are there for each other when we need love, support and encouragement. I have seen this with regularity this year, but too frequently, in separate groups. We are going to change this.
“In my latest podcast ‘This is a Wreckording: My First 100 Days,’ I addressed the need to develop a school community and commented on our progress towards creating a school experience that speaks to all of our students. We are working on identifying bias, being mindful of behaviors which could be viewed as offensive and ultimately are working towards accepting all students on a more open and consistent basis.
“Towards this end, we are strengthening our partnership with Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism (TEAM) Westport, our community based partners, who are assisting us in our efforts to develop a more inclusive school environment.
“I thank you for taking the time to read this. You have my assurance that we will develop the social infrastructure necessary to make Staples the best high school for all of our students; a place where everyone shares in our Wreckers Pride.”
