Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ’s report at the most recent school board meeting on September 16 included discussion about the global political events that occurred in recent weeks, namely the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as well as conversations about civil discourse and their place in the school’s curriculum. “We always condemn any acts of political violence, any kind of violence,” said Champ.

According to Champ, teachers and staff had to be equipped with the proper social-emotional tools to provide assistance to students for the wide range of emotions that were sure to emerge after the assassination of Kirk earlier this month.  Champ said that Suzanne Short, Director of Humanities, shared guidance with teachers and staff to prepare them to deal with these emotions and effectively adjust to responses or behaviors. “Teachers were strongly encouraged to remain neutral and inclusive,” Champ said. This bled into a conversation regarding civil discourse and free speech, which Champ suggested should be discussed in light of this event.

Champ emphasized the importance of dealing with difficult topics and said, “We can’t shy away from them.” Champ’s comments on the school district’s response to the September 10 shooting of Kirk followed a wave of criticism from local parents on social media, several of whom wished that Champ had issued some kind of broad public statement about the assassination, similar to the statements that came from the school district following other significant national events. 

The board also discussed recent developments related to the capital improvement bond at Siwanoy Elementary School. Working with Susan Kramer-Gilbert, interim principal for Siwanoy, the board is working to set up user groups; these groups target different areas of the faculty at Siwanoy in order to share their opinions and ideas on the how improvements at the school should be implemented. Champ said the board hopes to have an initial draft plan for the construction at Siwanoy at the end of the calendar year. The board will meet monthly to discuss the bond. At each meeting, members hope to give updates from committee members to keep the community up to date. Champ said that the contractors are planning on giving quarterly updates to the board. The board remains hopeful that it can initiate renovations for other buildings by next summer; Siwanoy, however, will be in design for most of this year.

The board plans on meeting with neighbors of Siwanoy on October 7 at 8:30 AM for a coffee after drop-off, in order to discuss plans and gather thoughts before construction begins.

The board also said that Hutchinson Elementary School had filled an outdoor library with books about kindness. The board said the outdoor haven would be called Gia’s Kindness Library, in recognition of Gia Gentile. The special library will be available to students during recess. Additionally, Hutchinson is launching a kindness club where 4th grade students will share stories about kindness as part of an effort to honor Gia’s legacy.