Earlier this week, I shared guidance with all staff from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General regarding K-12 Schools’ obligations to protect students and their information. Many educators across MA have expressed concern about how potential changes to federal immigration policies might affect students, communities, and classrooms. Also this week, on Wednesday, the White House Budget Office rescinded a memo sent Monday by the Federal Office of Management and Budget ordering all spending on federal loans and grants frozen. Understandably, this created significant chaos and confusion in schools throughout the country, as public schools rely on federal funds and grants to meet the needs of students. For now, the order to freeze federal funds, first blocked by a federal judge, and subsequently rescinded, has no immediate impact on programs, services, support for students & staff, or infrastructure in GDRSD. However, given the actions from the federal executive branch, alongside a flurry of executive orders, I feel it necessary to take a moment, breathe, and be reminded of a few things.
As noted on the first page of the guidance from the MA Attorney General’s office:
“All Students are Entitled to Equal Access to Free Public Education. Schools must provide equal access to education to all students regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or immigration status. Schools must meet this fundamental obligation and avoid policies that discourage or deny access to school on the basis of immigration or citizenship status.”
It is our obligation as educators to educate and support the well-being of all our students. As our first three core values as a GDRSD community articulate:
Acceptance: Students, staff and families feel acceptance through the acknowledgement that all have different backgrounds and narratives that are welcomed and celebrated.
Belonging: Students, staff and families feel a sense of belonging because they are an important part of the community with something to add to its culture. All help to contribute to what makes school a safe and supportive place to be.
Community: Students, staff and family are all important parts of our school community and the core values of each school and the district will guide the way that we interact, communicate, and support one another.
We are collectively committed to supporting the well-being and academic development of all students in our schools and will continue to strive to build a sense of belonging and connection among our students, families, and community.
