Dear
Parents and Guardians,
I hope
this message finds you well. Like many
of you, the recent graffiti incidents have occupied my mind during these past
few weeks. Yes, it is discouraging to
know that there is a student (or students) who continues to engage in hateful
behaviors even after the school intervened during the past two weeks.
However, there some positive things that are happening as the result of the
actions the school has taken. Recently, I saw a student who on his own
accord was putting up random notes of kindness on our walls. He was not looking for extra credit or any
recognition. He simply wanted to spread
kindness throughout McCall. I also have Muslim students wanting to meet
with me because they want to educate their peers about their religion for no
other reason than to promote diversity and inclusion. I have encountered students
stopping me in the hallway to ask me whether I thought something they had just said
to another student would be considered microaggression. I am glad to see
students are reflecting on their own actions and working hard to think beyond
their own feelings. Lastly, we have a
group of staff members volunteering their own time to start up the Acceptance
and Inclusion Committee. I am hoping all
these things indicate we are making progress toward creating a more inclusive
school community.
With
that being said, this most recent graffiti incident also reminded me
that our work does not stop after one assembly or one lesson. The
conversation about kindness and acceptance needs to be part of our everyday discourse.
I hope I can count on all parents and guardians to continue to help us integrate
the idea of acceptance and respect for diversity into our daily interactions
with our students and with each other. The graffiti incidents
we have experienced recently are not unique to McCall. When they do happen, please know that we will
always respond to ensure everyone in community know that these behaviors will not be
tolerated. The graffiti incidents also
underscore the need for all of us
to continue to address these matters with our students.
Thank
you for your continued support,
James
Lin
Principal
McCall
Middle School
