School News
A letter from Head of School, Kim Ridley
As we welcome November, it's remarkable to reflect on the past ten weeks of school. Our days have been enriched with explorations at Fresh Pond, engaging field trips, collaborative projects, FunFest, and all-school meetings. We've delved into the history and purpose of voting, the electoral college, and the responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy. Our children are deeply attuned to their communities and the broader world.
Through weekly newsletters and teacher communications, you've seen the insightful questions our students pose and the innovative ways teachers facilitate meaningful discussions about the election, tailored to each developmental stage. I'm proud of the thoughtful engagement across PreK to 8th-grade classrooms, where students express their concerns and curiosities about the election and its impact on themselves and others.
I shared these reflections with our staff on Wednesday morning and now extend them to you.
“Today is gut-wrenching for many of us. It is hard to believe that over half of our country would choose such a divisive human to lead us. Our mission and role as educators are more important today than yesterday.
It warmed my heart to read the words of our future leaders, our FSS students, and to see their faces on yesterday's Instagram.
Hold each other tight today and know that our power lies within our collective energy and belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and value and to feel a sense of belonging, connection, and care. This country should be all about that, and many of us are, and our efforts and determination will make it so.”
I understand that the presidential election's outcome may be disheartening for many. However, I find hope in the resilience and unity of our community. A parent recently shared a message that embodies this spirit:
“Kim,
I wanted to send you a note as well. Of thanks. Of support. Of grief.
I am incredibly grateful for your leadership in this moment. I have been "at the helm" through many challenging times and it is exhausting to have to just - keep - going and to have to show up with composure, strength, and hope for others. While trying to find time and space to process, grieve, and fall apart for a bit.
Add to that what I can imagine may be true for you as a Black woman at this time. Having watched a long-dreamed dream seemingly come so close but turn into a nightmare. And Black women once again having shown up, outperformed, shouldered so much of the dysfunction and disease of this country. And having done so for the rest of us who, in many cases, simply failed to do our part.”
The letter continues by expressing heartfelt gratitude for the teachers at Fayerweather. What makes this particularly meaningful is that it came from a white parent in our community who openly acknowledged my experience as a Black Woman leading a school during this time. I understand that what anyone can see or experience about the world depends on where they stand, and not everyone sees the world as I do. However, having someone recognize and affirm my humanity is profoundly satisfying. Receiving such empathy on Wednesday allowed me to cry, dust myself off, and continue focusing on what is within my power, which is to lead a school with a mission that emphasizes “Education must address the themes and issues of our times.”
In Partnership,
Kim
Fayerweather Street School | 765 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 | 617-876-4746
Fayerweather is a private PreK, kindergarten, elementary and middle school. We engage each child’s intellect.