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Woodside High School
November 10, 2016
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Dear WHS Families,
This morning after the break, I broadcast my expectation for a safe campus and reminded students that disciplinary consequences applied for creating unsafe situations. That message is at the end of this letter.
As I concluded this video message into classrooms, I learned that hundreds of students were gathering peacefully in the quad. The staff was keeping the gathering safe as it was growing. When I arrived on the quad right after my broadcast, I realized that many students had not heard my appeal to be safe, to practice understanding, and to use appropriate language. We decided to keep the students safe in a peaceful setting where they could process what they felt and what they thought and directed the setup of a sound system to use this teachable moment to address the crowd. We invited all staff to assist in the quad. The photo I've attached indicates that students were seated and respectful of me as their principal; they listened to and then abode by my parameters for a peaceful protest with individuals speaking and spectators listening.
That set the tone for the rest of 4th period - an outdoor classroom in the quad. Throughout the peaceful protest, head guidance advisor Mr. Negri welcomed all viewpoints to the microphone. We recognized students' right to free speech and the need to practice it, too. We challenged students that it was easy to be respectful when you agreed with a position, but that it was harder to be respectful when you disagreed, and that all opinions were welcomed at the microphone. One student spoke about unity and different pathways to unity. We added that every voter also deserved inclusion in that pathway to unity. It was a remarkable peaceful protest.
As the first lunch bell rang, I again took the mic and encouraged students to eat, drink water, and take a break to find a quiet classroom to reflect or be still if the intensity was too much. We played a bit of music, students milled about, and then the last 20 speakers in line had an opportunity to finish up. As the bell rang indicating the end of lunch, we added that peaceful protests come to an end and can have consequences. We announced to students and staff that today's 4th-period absence would not be recorded, but that a 6th-period absence would be recorded as unexcused. I challenged them that the effective way to protest was to become educated and to make a difference by earning their diplomas. The students felt heard through the experience, and the majority returned to class for SSR. About 30 students remained peacefully in the quad, and they will have that 6th-period absence marked as unexcused. Future protests will also result in unexcused absences.
In summary: your students were safe; they were heard; they were respectful listeners. They participated in a remarkable, peaceful protest. If they didn't feel comfortable or included, know that they were safe, and will continue to be safe on campus. The permeating student message was one of unity. Thank you for processing this experience with your student at home.
Sincerely,
Diane Burbank
Principal's message during the daily video announcements: "Good morning, Wildcats, I'd imagined that as the presidential election concluded, that the country's tension would diminish. But these days following the election continue to be turbulent for America, and we continue to feel that mood on campus, too. You are receiving and sending social media messages. You are hearing from adults who are also struggling with responses, and they're older and wiser. You're younger and for you, this may be the first presidential campaign that you voted in or that you really cared about.
The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat are clashing within our society and our campus right now. That thrill and that agony are being combined with some social media stresses. These are what your teachers and I call teachable moments. That's why teachers are spending some time with you to put into words how you feel and how you think, and to do both those things using academic language that is appropriate for the campus, and that includes the quad and outside spaces, not just classrooms.
Finally, my expectation is for a safe campus experience for every single student because it's just the right thing. Every single day. Inappropriate words and inappropriate actions have disciplinary consequences on this campus.
I have a challenge for you as students: pause, practice your big words, your academic vocabulary, and consider different points of view. WHS is a microcosm of differences, but we're also a community; we can come together. My expectation is that you recognize and practice that with your classmates. Thank you."
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