Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff –

Much has happened in our community and in our world over the past four days. At the Spring Celebration on Friday evening, we enjoyed the long-awaited opportunity to gather as adults and celebrate the generosity of this extraordinary community. It was truly a memorable and inclusive evening, and I relished every conversation and connection.

On Saturday and Sunday, we learned of two separate crimes on separate coasts linked by hate, violence, and racism. Even the lingering warmth from Friday evening could not begin to provide solace or strength in the face of such inhumanity.

I have been feeling compelled to write to you about these events and the impact they have on our families and, ultimately, on our children. I want to be clear that these visible, extremist acts of terror signal the serious work we still need to do as a nation to create an equitable society where everyone belongs.

It is unacceptable for us to leave this world as it is for our children; it is our responsibility to our children and to every child everywhere that we commit more deeply to the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism. As a White woman, I have the privilege of feeling anger and sadness; feelings I acknowledge are outmatched by the terror so many are experiencing.

For the past three days, I have wondered how to continue attempting to put language around the unspeakable. Yesterday, I received an email that resonated powerfully with me.

Many of you know Lisa Johnson, the Founder and Executive Director of Private School Village, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization that focuses on positively transforming the private school experience for Black families. When I read Lisa’s email, the words I had been searching to find became irrelevant because Lisa’s argument that we all need to “normalize urgency” around this work got right to the heart of the matter.

With Lisa’s permission, I share her thoughts with you. I ask you to consider supporting the continued work of Private School Village and other people and organizations who, in Lisa’s words, “support, advocate, and implement solutions that protect us from further trauma.”

Read Lisa Johnson’s Message Here

In solidarity,
Laura

Dr. Laura Konigsberg
Head of School
lkonigsberg@turningpointschool.org