Franklin Public Schools - Joint Statement - June 2, 2020

June 2, 2020

Dear Franklin Community,

It is with great grief and despair that we observe the recent troubling acts of racism, hate, and violence across the country and the emotional impact is having on our community. The deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, among a growing list of people of color, remind us of the very real and present danger that persists for targets of both passive and active racism. We also recognize that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on people of color as a result of systemic, institutionalized racism. As leaders of the Franklin Public Schools, we denounce racism and embrace anti-racist actions.

We extend our support to all of the Black/African American families in our community and across the nation, and we remain committed to honoring and protecting the rights and dignity of all members of our community.

Franklin Public Schools remains resolute in its enduring commitment to inclusive and equitable schools. Despite our greatest efforts, we are not immune to incidents of hate and bias. The painful incidents we have also experienced in our community are an affront to our core values. We will not tolerate, accept or condone acts or speech that are hateful, racist, anti-semitic, xenophobic, homophobic, or gender-biased. We are, as a community, simply better than that.

Our overarching goal is to ensure that each child and family is welcomed and safe in our schools -- whether we are physically together or distanced. To that end, we will continue to take action. Our Core Values include fostering a Safe and Inclusive School Culture for all individuals and cultures. This belief serves as a pillar of strong school climates and the foundation upon which we build a comprehensive educational experience for each student. As we move forward, we will continue to engage students in learning experiences that reinforce and promote education about the need for racial justice and cultural proficiency. Inclusivity and cultural sensitivity will continue to be focus areas for our district. Specifically, we will continue to examine our actions, policies, curriculum, instruction, activities, and other systems to ensure they are without implicit bias and promote equity and respect for all.

We invite all stakeholders to join us in our effort to eradicate hate from our school community and encourage you to talk with your children. Some helpful resources are as follows:


● Talking to children after racial incidents | Penn GSE
Talking to children after racial incidents | Penn GSE
● Teaching About Race, Racism and Police Violence
Teaching About Race, Racism and Police Violence
● Table Talk: Family Conversations about Current Events
Table Talk: Family Conversations about Current
● A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory
A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory

Franklin is a strong community with the opportunity and responsibility to come together to ensure that every child and family feels valued, safe, and respected in a more caring and just world.

Sincerely,
Dr. Sara Ahern, Superintendent

Tom Angelo, Athletic Director
Dr. Linda Ashley, Principal 
Shannon Barca, Principal 
Paul Duprey, Principal

Lucas Giguere, Assistant Superintendent
Brad Hendrixson, Principal 
Kelty Kelley, Principal
Bill Klements, Deputy Principal

Dr. Joyce Edwards Assistant Superintendent
Sarah Klim, Principal 
Lizzie Morrison, Principal
Beckie Motte, Principal

Paula Marano Director of Student Services
Paul Peri, Principal 
Eric Stark, Principal
Stefani Wasik, Principal


For a PDF copy of this statement:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17ME8Ka2WVxN1AcxgCi34f1ZtDzrtz3Mz/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Public Schools - Joint Statement - June 2, 2020