Black Lives Matter.

A letter to our families about racial justice in America.

With the last day of school in sight, we end our year on a bittersweet note. While our community has banded together to continue learning in the midst of a pandemic, supported one another, and ended our school year with much to be proud of- we also end the year knowing that our country continues to be an unjust place as we’ve bore witness to the tragic deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd. We also know that while these stories are more visible now that they’re being recorded, these are stories that have plagued our black and brown communities for generations.

As a school community, we fight against injustice and inequity daily through our work in our classrooms, how we live our values, and the ways we honor each other's stories and differences rather than let them be things that divide us. It is especially painful that as we watch our students be examples of civility and inclusion, we are reminded that despite our best efforts, it isn’t enough in a country with many institutions that still work against the progress we’ve made.

As we close out this school year, I am hopeful that this generation of students will be the one who leads the new chapter in the narrative of our country that is full of progress, inclusion, and equity. One that honor’s Dr. King’s dream:

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [people] are created equal.’

Our heart aches for the families of those who are impacted most by tragedies that have played out in the news cycle these past few days - we are sending love to all of you. Know that our school will always strive to be a place of allyship, care, and comfort for all of our students in these tragic times.

Adeel Khan

School Director, DSST: Conservatory Green High School