A Message of Support

Dear Families,

The recent events in Atlanta, along with many disturbing examples of hate toward Asian American and Pacific Islanders in our society shine a light on the need for us to continue our support for those in our community who have felt hate and who have been forced to live in fear from the hatred of others. St. Peter’s is an anti-racist community and we will continue to take the opportunity to demonstrate kindness, forgiveness, understanding and empathy as we engage our students, our families and the community around us. We also will find solace in the many ways our community lifts up one another each day, and focus on how we can teach these valuable traits to our students.

We hold the words of our community code central in what we strive to do each day: Be kind, compassionate and inclusive, be respectful of and honest with yourself, your work, and others. Be your best self. After many examples of hate and heinous acts of violence to people of Asian descent, it is so important that we return to these words, hold them high and live them each day.

As you speak to your children to help them process and understand the impact of these violent acts, we offer the following resources:

Talking to Kids About Xenophobia – National Geographic

Addressing Anti-Asian Racism with Students – Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

Talking to Children After Racial Incidents Penn Graduate School of Education interview with Howard Stevenson, PhD

Helping Children Cope with Frightening News – Child Mind Institute, Harold S. Koplewicz, MD

Colleagues of ours in Friends Schools use the phrase, “to hold someone in the Light”; let us hold those affected by these recent events, and all Americans in the Light. May our collective commitment to call out injustice and violence everywhere be the work we set out to accomplish so the world can be a better place for our children.

In Peace,

St. Peter’s School Administration