Letter To The Editor: Reconsider Reopening School On Monday

MEDFORD, MA — The following letter to the editor was submitted by Medford High School social studies teacher Liz Daneu.

As a teacher of the Medford Public Schools for 20 years, I have always felt pride in the City’s inclusive policies and the manner in which diversity and tolerance are championed. I have been honored and proud to serve the City’s students and families and have frequently extolled its diversity as its primary strength; the critical element under which academic and civic excellence have flourished.

I recently learned that the administration plans to move forward with the reopening of schools, despite a chosen date of September 28th. This date falls on the highest holy day in Judaism: Yom Kippur. I further understand that the School Committee was made aware of this unfortunate conflict and ignored it. Regrettably, this means that students, families and faculty will be forced to choose between observing a high holiday and reporting to school on the most important first day!

As an educator, I work hard to foster tolerance and give the students under my tutelage the confidence to speak up on behalf of minority populations – so many of whom have been marginalized or disenfranchised as of late. While I understand that the administration may adopt policies with which I disagree, I believe the School Committee, as stewards of the learning community, have a duty to represent all Medford students and families. As an employee of the City, I can reluctantly accept and follow a misguided policy. But as elected officials tasked with protecting and serving all students, I would be remiss in not pointing out the distinction that School Committee members carry in their duty to include the voices of the whole community.

As I think about the hard choice that families and teachers will need to make on Monday, at a time of great difficulty and mourning for the loss of a prominent Jewish leader, Justice Ginsburg, I am left to wonder: Who have we become as a community? We are so much better than this!

I urge you to reconsider your position, and ask that if you choose to move forward with your plan to re-open on Monday, that you understand the message you are sending. I beg you to not allow the callousness and indifference that has infected our national discourse on respect, dignity and tolerance to spill into our local discourse. Only together, and with cohesiveness and kindness, can we overcome the difficulties we, and our students and families face right now.

Respectfully submitted,

Liz Daneu

Teacher, Medford High School