Principal's Newsletter 1-7


January 7, 2021

Dear Burr Families;

I hope this message finds you well. It is unfortunate that I have to welcome you back in the New Year with such turmoil in our country.  Like me, I am sure many of you are deeply upset by the violence at the U.S. Capitol yesterday. 

As educators, we worry about the impact disturbing events will have on the children and how we can best support and help them make sense of things they likely don’t understand. This morning, Burr staff had the opportunity to gather for an optional staff meeting to share their thoughts and concerns and prepare to address student questions. The Burr mental health team was available to consult with teachers and provide support as needed throughout the day. 

Our teachers care deeply for their students and continue to work diligently to address their academic and emotional needs.  We teach and reinforce the importance of taking care of ourselves, each other, and our community through the Burr Core Values - respect, compassion, teamwork, and perseverance.  We believe that these values empower us to make our communities better, stronger, safer, and more just places for us all to live and grow. Each and every day, we work thoughtfully to make sure all members of our community feel safe, affirmed, and included. This work is more important than ever. 

This is a historic situation that we are all experiencing together. Both parents and educators play an essential role in preparing children to become caring and engaged community members. I am thankful to be part of the Burr community that teaches the values associated with good citizenship, where students are exposed to different viewpoints and are inspired to be their best selves. 

To support your conversations at home, here are some resources that may be helpful: 

A good picturebook is a great way to scaffold conversation with children:
I wish you all a peaceful 2021 and hope for positive things ahead. Please reach out with any questions or concerns and let us know if we can help in any way. 

Best, 

Mindy
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