So many things happening at this time of the year....and only one thing to address in this week's message.

How do we get through hateful actions, social media posts, and events in school with healing, education and true restoration at the heart of our work?

I've been thinking a lot about this question this week. The work we did two weeks ago at our Anti-Racism assemblies was powerful and meaningful for our school and broader community.

And yet, here we are, facing racist and prejudice actions within our community just days and weeks later, collectively asking, "How can we do better? Be better?"

We are all challenged by hate and must grapple with the response. What does an appropriate response look like? What is the correct balance of punishment and education? And how do we truly engage in restorative practice?

Interestingly, when thinking about RESTORATION, my mind goes to the scientific meaning. In science, restoration is connected to rebuilding something that was lost. Recognizing this is not always possible, connected concepts include conservation, reducing impacts and mitigation. I believe these ideas have parallels to the proactive work to reduce the need for restoration, the prosocial work to support those impacted and the work to minimize and reduce impact as we work to fight hateful and divisive actions in our school and community.

Despite the terrible acts we have had to address this week, I remain optimistic about our progress. One might argue there has been an increase in behavior as a reaction to our assemblies, but I prefer to see this differently.

We asked students to be more aware of racism, bigotry, bias and prejudice. More importantly, we told them when they see such behaviors, they should take action. As we heard in our panel discussion, hateful and prejudice remarks and actions are commonplace in our community, and are most often under the radar and never addressed. So, I commend our students for bringing these actions to our attention. The first step in change is truly acknowledging the problem.

Of course, we want these types of behaviors to end! This will require more people to be not only aware, but willing to take action.

Let's keep moving forward through these challenges together.

Let's keep asking what we can do to support our entire community in creating the safe and supportive school that each and every student deserves.

To that end, we are creating a parent advisory specifically to support our work on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with us.

To launch, we will be hosting an in person meeting next Wednesday, May 24th from 6:00-7:00 pm.

If you are interested in participating in this work, please fill out this brief form.

As always, if you need assistance with anything, please contact me via email kristina.farina@bhrsd.org or phone (413-528-3346).

What is RYSE?

The Railroad Street Youth Student Empowerment Program (RYSE) offers young people from South County the chance to explore their goals and potential next steps after high school. Over the course of five days, participants will meet with panelists and local partner organizations to create community, network, and learn about balancing tasks, goal setting, and financial behavior, and to participate in self-reflection and self-care activities.

Youth receive a stipend of $200 upon completion of the program and are eligible to apply for a scholarship of up to $20,000. The scholarship may be used over the next four years to assist with tuition at a state or private college or university, a community college or vocational school, a focused curriculum for a gap year, or any GED Program.

Who is RYSE for?

RYSE is for anyone who is in high school (rising junior or seniors) or recently graduated in South County who is confused/unsure/stressed about their “next steps” or need help with “adulting” and life skills. We aim to target a wide range of young people, so there is really no “wrong” applicant. However, we so try to outreach specifically to folks who might not have a lot of support in the home or elsewhere, whether that is financial support or support with a trusted and knowledgeable adult in working out their next steps.

When is RYSE?

July 10th-14th
9am-4pm
Participants are expected to attend every day, the whole day.

Point of outreach: We understand that many young people need to work over the summer, and would need to take off work during the RYSE week. That is why we offer the $200 stipend for all participants, to show that their time is valuable and to give them some sort of income for the week.

RYSE APPLICATION LINK

https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/monument-baseball-store

If the Squadlocker link does not directly connect you to the Monument Store please click " Find Your Store" and type in "Monument Baseball".

Questions and Answers

Here is who to contact with certain types of questions:

• If you haven't received the information packet from the school, call the main office at 413-528-3346 ext. 3100 or email our secretary at doreen.hughes@bhrsd.org.

• If you have a question about a particular class please contact the teacher.

• If you have a general question about your child’s schedule or about the school, please call or email our Guidance secretary, becky.campetti@bhrsd.org or contact your child’s guidance counselor directly.

• If you have a question about PowerSchool login or use, call the guidance office at 413-528-3346 ext.5 or email our Guidance secretary at dede.norton@bhrsd.org.

• If you have a question, about busses and transportation, call the main office or email our secretary at heather.Lorance@bhrsd.org.

• If you have a question about sports or activities, contact our Activities Director, Karl Zigmand at karl.zigmand@bhrsd.org.

• Not sure who to ask, just call the main office at 413-528-3346 ext. 3100 or email our school secretary, doreen.hughes@bhrsd.org