![]() Dear Stone Ridge Community,
In unity, ![]() Catherine Ronan Karrels ‘86 Head of School
Dear Stone Ridge Community,
I hope you are able to make time to enjoy moments of peace and relaxation during these first few days of summer. Last week, I sent a long letter to the faculty and staff asking them to have the courage to reflect and act on institutional and systemic racism as well as individual racism and bias. Currently, small groups within the community have begun to take an intentional, purposeful, and prayer-filled pause to have tough and long-overdue conversations about race, oppression, and complicity. We will continue to solicit the advice and counsel from our larger community and encourage all members of the community to take an inward look at their identity and role in the Stone Ridge community, the nation, and the world. While we commit to this work of identifying and dismantling racism, our community endeavors to take risks, inevitably make mistakes, learn, and keep going; aware that this work is never done until racist systems and white supremacy is dismantled. The Administration, in partnership with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will prioritize anti-racist policies and education for all.
Tomorrow is also Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a contraction of the date “June Nineteenth". This is a special holiday that marks the end of slavery in America. It’s largely believed that Juneteenth is primarily for the African-American community; however, I offer there is value for every American—regardless of race, culture, or background—to observe this holiday. We should care because the very fabric of our society depends on our shared religion of inalienable rights. A celebration of freedom for any American is a celebration of the ideals that make our country what it is today. On this day in 1865 in Galveston (then Texas’ largest city), Union General Gordon Granger issued General Order Number 3, which stated: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
In an effort to uphold our continued commitment to our community’s growth and development within racial justice practice and support partnerships that offer meaningful opportunities, I’d like to direct you to the “Parent/Family Resources” tab under the Summer Information & Back to School web page, which provides resources curated by members of the Stone Ridge community. I also would like to share details about this important event, which is taking place this evening on Facebook Live.
How to Raise & Teach Anti-Racist Kids Thursday, June 18, 7:00 pm
In the aftermath of tragic events and traumatic experiences, children look to the adults in their lives—families, caregivers, and educators—not only to provide comfort and make sense of those lived experiences but also to offer guidance in how to imagine a better world. Adults don’t always have the answers. We, too, need guidance and support. The first half of the event will be a panel discussion hosted by Kwame Alexander with Q&A to follow.
Warm regards, ![]() Michelle Black Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion |