May 29, 2020

As the superintendent and school leader,  I would be remiss if I did not address the racism that again took center stage in America this week – first in Central Park and then in Minneapolis. My heart is sickened, saddened and enraged. I want to acknowledge that many of us in this community and across the country are hurting and in incredible pain.  

In Greece schools, we prioritize equity, empathy, and kindness, but the messages our students receive in the media and in their everyday lives, unfortunately, tell a different story. The fact is, racism exists in homes and schools and workplaces and individuals all across this country. Even if we ourselves do not perpetrate hatred, our silence equals complicity. We can no longer be silent if we want our children to live in a world where they are safe to jog through our neighborhoods, or enjoy a day in the park, or even be arrested without fear.

That’s why today I feel compelled to challenge us ALL – regardless of race – to not be silent. How are you talking about and teaching your kids about racism? How and what can you do to disrupt and dismantle racism? If we want our children to live in a safe and inclusive world, we need to have a dialogue about the impact of racism and the dangers of being a bystander. We need to take action and must not be silent.

The lives of our children depend on it.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Graupman

Superintendent, Greece Central School District