A message from the Superintendent in advance of the election
November 2, 2020
Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Tomorrow we will be electing our president, senator, and other state and local representatives. Many find this season to be tense as the hope for certain results are anticipated. On November 3rd the votes will be tallied and there will be winners and losers. On November 4th, the doors to our schools will open. Our students and staff will enter and we will carry on with school as we do each day. While some will be pleased about the results, others will be concerned.
A range of emotions will be felt by students, staff, and our families. We should not be naive to believe that one way is right and one way is wrong, or that all of our staff/students feel one way and not another. Instead, as teachers, staff, friends, neighbors, or relatives of those with differing views it is critical that we, as your school district, set the example to respond in a professional way, free from emotional or reactionary response. Setting aside the sense of victory or loss, we commit to approach November 4th just as we approached November 3rd, with a dedication to continue providing high-quality education to your children, but also give them that sense of normalcy, consistency, and unwavering support that all of our students need.
As a district, we will reinforce the values that we want our students to have, such as unity and respect for people’s differences and opinions. We will continue to ensure our schools are safe and respectful places in which we care for one another like family. This election cycle has been particularly divisive, and as it concludes this week, we will focus on what brings us together as a country, rather than that which separates us. We appreciate our parents assisting us in having appropriate conversations with their children as needed to help teach and direct them to respond in compassionate ways.
While this uncertainty about the future is unsettling, the diversity of all of our ideas and opinions only makes us stronger if we choose to find value in how these experiences can sharpen one another.
Sincerely,
Bethany Massey
Superintendent of Schools
Lake County School District
