I have had the privilege of attending graduations every night this week and looking out across the Tully Stadium field to see the excitement, pride, and promise of our Class of 2020. Greeting each graduate as they received their diploma reaffirmed for me the power of education and the beautiful diversity of the SBISD student body. I also have appreciated the diversity of our SBISD staff who have been the proud supporters and educators for our students throughout their formative years.

Since becoming superintendent, I have shared my appreciation for the diversity of our student body, our staff and our community. Our diversity is a cornerstone of our core values. I truly believe it makes us stronger.

No Place for Hate® commitment

I also appreciate Spring Branch ISD’s long-term commitment to being a district that aspires to be No Place for Hate® (NPFH), and I am proud of the many campuses that earn this designation every year.

Each fall, our Board of Trustees and our senior staff sign the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate® Resolution, as we recommit annually to ensuring ours is a respectful, inclusive community. The Resolution hangs prominently on the main entry hall of our Administration Building. It states:

I pledge from this day forward to do my best to combat prejudice and to stop those who, because of hate or ignorance, would hurt anyone or violate their civil rights. I will try at all times to be aware of my own biases and seek to gain understanding of those who I perceive as being different from myself. I will speak out against all forms of prejudice and discrimination. I will reach out to support those who are targets of hate. I will think about specific ways my community members can promote respect for people and create a prejudice-free zone. I firmly believe that one person can make a difference and that no person can be an "innocent" bystander when it comes to opposing hate. By signing this pledge, I commit myself to creating a community that is No Place for Hate. ®

We know as a system we are not perfect. We have work to do to ensure we live out the promise of these words and this commitment to and for every member of the SBISD Family. We must hold each other accountable so hate and prejudice are never tolerated in Spring Branch ISD.

The tragic murder of fellow Houstonian George Floyd in Minneapolis last week has left us all hurting and filled with many emotions and questions.  This tragedy also has left many of us as parents struggling to help our children. Please find below a few resources that may be of help to you.

Resources for Talking With Children about Tragedy:

• NPR What to Say to Kids When the News is Scary
• Helping Children Cope: Talking Tips for Talking about Tragedy
• Talking to Children about Tragedies and Other News Events

May we all be committed to each other and to our children so that their world is one of peace and respect.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Blaine, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools