Today is widely recognized as a Day of Silence for students to stand against anti-LGBTQ bullying and discrimination. In the Day of Silence students voluntarily elect to be silent as a show of solidarity with and protest for people who are or feel silenced for who they are. Burgundy's participation in this day began several years ago with middle school students. At that time, our country and the world were in a less comfortable and less accepting place about diversity of sexual orientation and gender identification. Our students elected to have a Day of Silence recognition in their building to signify their shared belief that people should be free to be who they are, without hate, prejudice or fear of being themselves.

That first year, after a letter went home announcing the plans, a concerned parent wrote me that his child was not going to attend school on the Day of Silence. Their family's beliefs were not in sync with this day's activities, he said. I explained that we were not having the activities to change anyone's belief systems. Rather, the day reflected Burgundy's mission and a school and community obligation to honor the rights and dignity of all people. Your child one day may work with or for a person with different beliefs or customs, I said. This is part of preparing a child for the real world.

The family reconsidered, and in fact did send the child to school. Each year since the Middle School has elected to have a Day of Silence. In recent years the Lower School has joined in with age-appropriate activities such as Free to Be You and Me Day. Lower Schoolers learn the positive traits represented by each color in the rainbow flag, underlining the theme that we are free to be who we are, whoever and whatever that is, and we all have a right to live not in fear or silence. Due to expected rain today, we held our assembly yesterday. You can view photos online.

In an era where we often are seeking to identify and rectify explicit and implicit bases, it it is interesting that, so many times, children challenge us with 'why' questions that few if us adults have real answers for...

On a recent drive to school, my daughter and I passed a homeless person beside the road. When I explained that the person did not have a place to live, Tatum asked, "Why can't we have the construction people to build them a house?" I tried but could not frame an adequate answer.

From your own children, you may have heard,"How could people be so mean?" or "Why are people fighting a war over religion?" "Why are people hungry?" or "Why would a policeman shoot an unarmed person for running from him?"

I hope we each have the courage and conviction to answer in the best ways we can and in doing so to try to acknowledge the humanity in all people, whatever color, religion, social or political persuasion, wealth, ability, size, age or background, regardless of their differences or their circumstances. Here at school, we will continue to strive to teach respect and the skills and habits that help children grow up respectful of the rights of all people.