Proctor Elementary
A Message from Principal Ghereben, June 7, 2020
A Commitment to Change!
Dear Proctor Community,
Like so many in our country, I am deeply saddened and upset by the lost lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and the many others who have faced violence and injustices in our world. I have been heartbroken and troubled these past few weeks as I’ve witnessed my own community and many communities around the country hurting. As I reflect on all that has happened, I’d like to share with you my thoughts as your school Principal. I believe that our students and children need to see our acknowledgement, empathy and alliance for those who are mistreated, and have a responsibility in creating the society and community we want to be a part of and can be proud of.
In CVUSD, we are committed to equitable opportunities and outcomes for all - we believe All Means All. We mean it and strive to demonstrate it through our words, actions and interactions with our students, families and colleagues, but know that we can always work to do better, and be better. Much of this work has already begun on many levels through the district and site committees, learning and development opportunities, and critical conversations around policies, and educational practices. As an educational institution it is our responsibility and resolve to dismantle the systems that don’t support our value of All means All, and our students will benefit when we stand in unity and solidarity for everyone. I want you to know that the Proctor staff and I are committed to listening, growing, learning and working together to strive towards a future where every student has the opportunity to spread their wings and do so without racism. We are committed to equitable opportunities and outcomes for ALL our students.
We believe that collectively we can create systemic change to begin the healing and reconciliation process within our communities. This starts with each of us in our homes and with our own children learning about the importance of fairness, respect, treating people with dignity, showing compassion, having empathy, and seeing adults model anti-racist behavior.
Having difficult conversations around racism, and injustices can be hard, and you may be wondering where to start. You may be wondering how to talk with your child at home. You may also be wondering what you can do as a community member. Here are a few resources that may help you start this complex conversation at home:
How to talk to kids about racism, protests and injustice
Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News
60+ Resources for Talking to Kids About Racism
https://bouncebackparenting.com/resources-for-talking-to-kids-about-race-and-racism/
NPR - Talking Race with Young Children
I plan to have more resources available on our school website in the upcoming weeks. As you start or continue your discussions as a family, it's important to center these conversations around love for self, love for others and lots of hope. If we want to see racial reconciliation happen in our world today, we must reflect, look inward, and humble ourselves so that we can come together as a unified community to make change, to ensure equity and begin this transformation right here within our own community.
I want to reaffirm that while we pause for the summer break, that the Proctor Staff remains here for you, and remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting ALL of our students and families.
In Partnership,
Heather Ghereben
Proctor Principal
Proctor Elmentary
Home of the Patriots
Hilda Kwan
School Secretary
Vicki Dugan
Attendance Secretary
Heather Ghereben
School Principal
Email: hghereben@cv.k12.ca.us
Website: https://proctor.cv.k12.ca.us/
Location: 17520 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProctorElementarySchool/
Twitter: @ProctorPatriots