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Superintendent's Message

Latest News

COVID Webinar Friday 3:00 PM

December 7, 2020 | Latest News

December 1, 2020

Dear Families:

On Friday at 3 p.m., I am offering a parent webinar along with the local health officials to talk more about the rise in COVID cases, our management of them, and other information that we hope will be highly informational.  We will record the session if you are unable to attend.  If you have questions and cannot be present on the call, please feel free to reach out at any time.  The Zoom information is located below.

Best,

Laurie

 

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Dec 4, 2020 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: COVID Parent Webinar

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://concordps.zoom.us/j/93237776402?pwd=dVUzK09heWZWdnBLRjFsT0xMUllLQT09
Passcode: 501189
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13126266799,,93237776402#,,,,,,0#,,501189#  or +19292056099,,93237776402#,,,,,,0#,,501189#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 312 626 6799  or +1 929 205 6099  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 932 3777 6402
Passcode: 501189
International numbers available: https://concordps.zoom.us/u/ascytEQMd

Distressing Social Media Post

July 2, 2020 | Latest News

June 30, 2020

Dear Families:

It is with distress that I share an incident that was brought to our attention last night where a CCHS student posted racist and homophobic comments on social media.  As we stated previously and will continue to state, this is unacceptable.  The family and police were notified immediately.  The CCHS administration will investigate and determine the appropriate outcomes for behavior that has no place in the school community.

The response of the faculty, staff, and students since May is important to share.  I see a shift in our willingness to name issues as racist and a beginning to provide safe spaces to hear the pain that results.  We see students speak out against such acts, address them directly, and report them as happened last night.  These are first steps.  Make no question that we are as strongly committed to ensuring that those of any sexual orientation and gender identity are also included in our schools and are furthering our work in this area as well.  For example, we partnered with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Safe Schools program and strongly support the CCHS Spectrum Club and Concord Middle School LGBTQ+ and Allies groups.

In addition, the CCHS Intersections Club radio broadcast will be played again tonight at 6 pm on WIQH 88.3.  This open dialogue from a diverse group of CCHS students is powerful.  I would encourage you to listen and to invite older children to listen with you.  The Intersections Club also organized a peaceful protest in Concord center earlier in June.

As a result of a meeting with METCO families, several goals are in place for CCHS next year.  The goals include a school-wide conversation on racism with a diverse panel of speakers and students of color, roundtable conversations for students, teachers and parents, expansion of truly integrated activities beyond athletics, creation of a Black Student Union at CCHS, and an initiative to create a safe space for brave conversations.

We also added a summer professional development opportunity for staff.  The sessions are entitled “How to Have Difficult Conversations about Race with Students.”  The courses are available to all staff at no cost.  The District Cultural Competency Committee also reconvened last week and will meet throughout the summer.  Sixty-six staff members attended last week’s meeting.

I remind you that the recordings of the webinars from earlier in June about how to talk to children about race are posted on the district webpage:  https://www.concordps.org/superintendent/cultural-competency-anti-racism/.  Additional print and web based resources are also available on this page.

Finally, we will directly educate students on anti-racism.  A Kindergarten teacher shared a lesson with me before summer started where our youngest students learned the word, its meaning, and how to treat others equally.

We are grateful for the community discussion of these issues and the clear commitment to change so that all students feel welcome and respected.

Best,

Laurie

Mental Health or Other Resources

March 19, 2020

Good Morning,

The school leaders, staff and counselors are happy to support you during this challenging time.  Sometimes, however, outside support is also necessary.  Earlier this winter, we shared a list of mental health contacts and resources.  It seems very appropriate that we provide that to you again.  This list is housed on the main district web page at:  https://www.concordps.org/superintendent/mental-health/.

If any family is in need of other assistance beyond the food services or these mental health supports, please do not hesitate to be in touch with me confidentially at lhunter@concordps.org or to reach out to the building principals.

Best,

Laurie