Head of School O.J. Morgan wrote to parents, faculty and staff in this week's Woodshop newsletter in response to the protests related to the death of George Floyd and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Bright School builds a foundation upon which students become wise and compassionate citizens of the world.”
At a time when our world seems uncertain, when our personal and communal health seems fragile, and when we look to each other—at a distance—for the common bonds of human connectedness, good schools like ours look to their mission as a reminder of their purpose. Knowing with stark clarity the importance of the school’s love for children and our work to educate them, we are able to weather any storm and overcome any challenge that comes our way. The world depends on us to do so.
Bright School’s mission places the endowment of wisdom and compassion as our highest goal. And these words aren’t chosen lightly but reflect what has been most honored throughout history: the ability to put knowledge to good use for the betterment of humankind. Whatever faith tradition we follow, we discover over and over again that we are called upon to do justice, to be merciful and kind, and to walk humbly with our God.
Our wisdom and compassion, of course, figure strongly into how we, as members of the Bright School community, approach the many challenges at hand. How will we, as parents and educators, shepherd our young children in such a way that their growing wisdom begins to value the sacred beauty in others, especially those who may be different than themselves? Or of a different color? How can we enable their wisdom to encompass truly what is meant by our country’s creed, the self-evident truth that “all men are created equal.” If we are truly building a foundation upon which their minds and hearts move confidently towards our lofty goals of wisdom and compassion, then we must continue genuinely to make it so.
At the same time, we must remember that our children are just that, children. As parents we teeter between protecting our children from the horror we see every day and, as they get older, answering the really tough questions our intelligent children will undoubtedly ask. Innocence has a heart that reminds us of what is best in life; its inherent hopefulness gives us adults hope as well.
Next week you will receive information about Sanford Harmony, a social-emotional learning curriculum for elementary school children. Our Mission Skills Committee, chaired by school counselor, Rachel Blanton, has chosen this program after much careful research to guide us in teaching those social-emotional competencies so important in one’s development into full adulthood. Areas of focus like diversity and inclusion, critical thinking, peer relationships, empathy, and effective communication skills will be integrated weekly in age-appropriated activities in the classrooms.
As a school, we won’t shy away from our students’ tough questions, but we’ll do so in a loving and constructive manner. Our goal is to create a community that reflects what we know is just, merciful, kind, and respectful of all human beings and the beautiful world in which we find our home.
