Dear Fellow Members of the St. Mark’s Community, 

I write to reflect upon the fact that the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor and the subsequent turmoil in cities and towns across the country have once again brought the United States’ long struggle with systemic racism into sharp focus. The unfamiliar disruption and suffering brought about by COVID-19 has been overshadowed recently in the United States by something much more familiar and pervasive: shocking violence against people of color.

The impact of these events on the St. Mark’s community is profound, and Dr. Warren and I stand in solidarity with all of you. Dr. Warren and I also join in a spirit of hope, remaining convinced that through individual and collective actions that reflect our Global Citizenship principles , Community and Equity principles , and RUSH framework—emphasizing respect , understanding , safety , and honesty —St. Markers will contribute to a better world.

The first line of the St. Mark’s mission statement reads, “St. Mark’s School educates young people for lives of leadership and service.” One way to demonstrate leadership is to exhibit moral courage. I am heartened by the number of students and adults in the St. Mark’s community who have exhibited moral courage in recent days by taking steps to support one another and to help us process what is confusing and disturbing.

The time we are living in is all that much harder because we are unable to be together to process as a School community what is going on and what we think about it. I encourage you, no matter where you are in the world, to reach out and find support in fellow members of the St. Mark’s community. We are stronger together.
Age Quod Agis,
John C. Warren ’74, Ed.D. Head of School