I was thinking a bit more about the MASC/MASS letter and the inevitable fallout from all of it. This year has been filled with a lot of pain and loss, for our students, educators, staff, and families.

Pain and fear can so often turn to anger, and when the failures come from the highest levels, it is so difficult to advocate in a way that feels like it will help us. So we often turn to those closest to us, looking for someone to take the blame for our pain.

Divisive headlines (and letters) seek to pit parents against educators, parents against SCs/Supts, SCs/Supts against unions. While there will always be individual circumstances that are difficult, we should not contribute to this narrative, nor do I think it is accurate for most.

Parents, SCs (and remember many of us are parents, too!), admins, educators, all want to get the students back to “normal” as soon as possible. When school communities come together, instead of allowing the divisiveness to win, we could be powerful advocates for our kids.