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As mentioned in my July letter, election season is upon us. As in previous election cycles, Brooks School does not embrace a partisan view but rather commits to fostering civic engagement and an environment of civil discourse, intellectual curiosity and respect for diverse perspectives. We are excited for students to develop their own informed opinions about political issues and the upcoming presidential election.
Our Community Pledge states “You can trust me to respect you, including your identity, well-being and right to think freely” and “You can trust me to contribute to safe and productive learning and living environments.” With this in mind, and in an effort to balance the rights of students, faculty and staff and Brooks’ mission, we have established some guidelines during this election season to maintain a learning environment that is meaningful and respectful. The distribution or display of campaign materials, including flags, lawn signs, buttons, magnets, bumper stickers and t-shirts endorsing a particular candidate, are not permitted on campus for students and employees.
We aim to facilitate student discourse in and out of the classroom about political issues. We believe this allows for individual growth and engagement. For example, our History curriculum offers ample opportunities for students to develop critical thinking and analytical skills and our Self in Community curriculum allows all students to practice important skills of active and empathetic listening. We also will host Brooks alumni who play a key role in our national political landscape to stimulate student interest in a career dedicated to political activism.
We recognize that our national political climate can make conversations about current events very challenging for some and that the eventual result of the election may make community members feel different emotions. As for all matters at Brooks, should a student need support, we encourage them to reach out to any trusted adult on campus.
I cannot emphasize how excited I am to kick off the school year. Brooks is a vibrant place with stellar programming and academics, and we have a lot planned to keep everyone engaged. I'll share more about what is brewing on campus in my September letter. On behalf of the entire Brooks community, we look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks!
With appreciation,
Nina Freeman
Acting Head of School
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