Guiding Principles for Navigating 我们的 Complex Society
In today's increasingly interconnected world, we are frequently confronted with local and global issues that challenge our values and ideals. 此外, we acknowledge that McDonogh’s many constituents — administrators, 教师, 工作人员, 学生, 父母, 爷爷奶奶, and alumni — have diverse and deeply held personal beliefs and are affected differently by world events.
在McDonogh, it is rare that we will send communitywide communication on complex societal issues and events that do 不 directly impact our 学校 operation. While there is often pressure for educational leaders to take stances, trust that our focus is always on carrying out our 任务, 愿景, 和价值观. We stand firm that there is no room in our world for hate, 偏见, 或偏见, and we unequivocally condemn such sentiments at 学校 and in society.
The teachers in our community are educators, 不 experts on complicated political and cultural issues. Communicating an institutional position jeopardizes our ability to foster a community where freedom of expression is protected and everyone feels a true sense of belonging.
我们的 approach to moments of tension and crisis will be grounded in the following two principles.
Prioritizing the Safety and Well-being of 学生, 教师, and 工作人员: We will prioritize offering the support necessary for 学生, 教师, and 工作人员 who may be struggling. This includes but is 不 limited to providing resources, 聚会, 签到, 以及教育项目. It is important to recognize that 教师 are often supporting their 学生 while navigating complex situations and processing information in real time.
Focusing on Freedom of Expression and Civil Discourse: As part of LifeReady learning, we encourage community members to engage with difficult topics while they deepen their capacity as curious, 民事, and intellectual human beings. This position protects and nurtures our commitment to freedom of expression and 民事 discourse, focusing on teaching our 学生 如何 思考与不思考 什么 想. To be clear, freedom of expression does 不 permit engaging in hateful acts or speech.
Above all, our calling is to prepare 学生 to lead in a rapidly changing world. By focusing on their well-being and our commitment to freedom of expression and 民事 discourse, we know they will be equipped to do the greatest possible amount of good in our world.