Today and in the past few weeks, you have undoubtedly been exposed to remembrances of September 11, 2001. We've seen how that tragic day has affected our local community, as well as communities across the country. We've watched as news commentators looked back on the events that unfolded that day. We've observed community groups and organizations memorializing the victims and giving thanks to first responders.

While there are many topics one can reflect on during the 10th anniversary of September 11th, there is one topic that is particularly close to my heart and the mission of St. Anne's School. In our ever shrinking global world, developing the next generation into tolerant, worldly and knowledgeable young adults has never been more essential. In my letter to parents after September 11th ten years ago, I questioned "how can we educate our students to know that to love is better than to hate? How can we assure them that they can honor their own beliefs while appreciating those that are different from their own?" My letter went on to reassure parents that teaching these values has always been fundamental to the St. Anne's School mission and curriculum, and they still are today.

From a young age, students at St. Anne's School are taught to embrace differences and celebrate other cultures. Lower School classes immerse themselves in cultural studies. In Seventh Grade Religion class, students focus on the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam and study how these three very similar religions have interacted throughout history. In Seventh and Eighth Grade Religion class, the symbol of the open arch, doorway or window is given to students to represent the peaceful environment of inquiry and openness we support as students explore their beliefs and those of others.

2010 Buxton Initiative Visit

For the past three years, each April has brought a special group of visitors to our campus. The Buxton Initiative, a non-profit whose mission is to "to foster dialogue and build bridges among people of different faiths and worldviews," sends a group of inter-faith interns to speak to our Seventh and Eighth Grade about the their respective religions and cultures. By imparting knowledge and understanding in our students, we can foster an environment of tolerance and respect.

As we note in the St. Anne's School Blueprint for Success, "the ability to work respectfully and compassionately with others" is one of the essential qualities of the 21st century, and as our world grows and evolves, this quality will become increasingly important. When our graduates leave our campus, they are prepared to collaborate with classmates of any race, background, gender or culture. Whether their high school lab partner, college roommate or business colleague is from across the country or across the world, our graduates have the skills necessary to form positive, respectful and collaborative relationships. In a nutshell, our graduates are ready to become thriving members of our global community.

To commemorate the anniversary of September 11th, Lower School students sang patriotic songs in honor of our country and the values it stands for. On Monday in Middle School chapel, students will offer petitions for those whose lives were changed ten years ago, and they will focus on the courage and self-sacrifices of first responders and others who jeopardized their lives for others through the reading of the story of The Good Samaritan.

While there are many lessons to learn from September 11th, the importance of respect, tolerance and courage in our world is one that cannot be forgotten.

Best regards,

Fran Lukens

Head of School