A Letter from the Concord Teachers Association and Upcoming Parent Events
June 6, 2020
Dear Families:
Tonight, I share a letter from the Concord Teachers’ Association and an updated list of programs for parents from The Center for Parents and Teachers over the next two weeks. Both are found below. I hope you enjoyed the summery weather!
Best,
Laurie
June 5, 2020
The Concord Teachers’ Association adds their voice to the many condemning the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. It is with tremendous grief and pain that we own the urgent work we have to do as teachers and citizens in a racist society. As teachers of Concord’s youngest students, we are reminded daily that no one is born knowing how to hate. We see examples of this every day in our students, yet we acknowledge that Concord is not immune to racism.
Addressing systemic racism must permeate all aspects of our work as teachers. We must redouble our efforts to engage in difficult conversations and sit with uncomfortable truths. We must look more closely at our professional culture and improve its inclusiveness of all people. It must be reflected in our curriculum: the books we read and share, our lens on history, the art we create, and the songs we sing with children. We must recommit to promoting social justice through our teaching and our action.
The physical distance between us has made framing and unpacking the events of the last few weeks in age-appropriate ways even more difficult. Personal relationships are the foundation of all other work that we do with our students. Building community in our classrooms and harnessing teachable moments are the elements of in-person teaching that we miss the most during this pandemic and it is where we do our best work. Our inability to fully process these events with your children feels wrong.
Thank you for entrusting us with your children, especially during these incredibly difficult times. We carry the weight of that responsibility with tremendous resolve. We know we can do better, and are committed to continuing to learn how together.
In Solidarity,
Karin Baker – CTA President, Kate Squire – CTA Vice President, and the CTA Officers
The Center for Parents and Teachers invite parents to the following free programs:
(1) Please join Dr. Rachel Kramer for a live webinar on “Promoting Social and Emotional Well-being this Summer – for Parents of Tweens and Teens”
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 10:30am
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89606308206?pwd=WENWa2luTzBXdWNCZStnOWZFZ1h0dz09
Password: 432289
These webinars will focus on Q&A from parents about how to promote social and emotional well-being during the coronavirus pandemic. Can’t join live? All webinars are recorded and posted on Dr. Kramer’s website – www.drrachelkramer.com
(2) Parents of High School Students: Save the Date! Please join Dr. Nadja Reilly in a live webinar on “How Parents Can Support High School Students During Key Transitions”
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 7 PM
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://concordps.zoom.us/j/93041711794?pwd=OCtBbWNJTGNvbmcxTkV5R092K3FMUT09
Meeting ID: 930 4171 1794
Password: 639707
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,93041711794# US (New York)
+13017158592,,93041711794# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 930 4171 1794
Find your local number: https://concordps.zoom.us/u/adeYvUXq2
Learn about these and other resources — and how you can support this nonprofit local organization that is able to offer its services through grants and individual donations — by visiting:
www.centerforparentsandteachers.org