A meaningful letter to parents at this time!
Dear Families,
This week, the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria has weighed heavily on my mind and heart, as I know it has for many members of our global community. As I reconnected with many colleagues around the world at the AAIE conference this week, and I listened to a friend working at a school in Turkey sharing about the heartbreaking loss suffered by teachers and families in his community, I was once again reminded of the importance of being aware and connected to what is happening outside the safety of our homes.
Part of being “open to the world,” as La Scuola is, means you cannot shy away from engaging in tragedy, even when it is happening far away. There is always an opportunity to help and we are all fellow citizens of this world.
At La Scuola, this week’s news has shaped conversations and inspired action. Our educators have guided students through age-appropriate dialogue about this devastating tragedy, answering their questions and listening to their perspectives. This work is not always easy on our teachers or our students, but it is at the heart of our philosophy and necessary to grow the empathy our children will rely on as global citizens.
We have also begun brainstorming ways to help those on the ground in Turkey and Syria, who have been directly impacted and we will continue to research and share ideas around this. We will be in touch next week with more information. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts to share, or any contacts that would allow us to have a local impact please do not hesitate to reach out.
Raising a child in a moment of global tragedy–whether they are old enough to understand what has happened or not–is a challenging task as a parent, and one that we are all being called upon to handle more often than ever before. In the words of Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia approach: “It’s necessary that we believe that the child is very intelligent, that the child is strong and beautiful and has very ambitious desires and requests. This is the image of the child that we need to hold. Those who have the image of the child as fragile, incomplete, weak, made of glass gain something from this belief only for themselves. We don’t need that as an image of children.”
La Scuola is a community of children, parents, teachers and staff members. It is your community, so pease know that we are here, both as a partner in supporting your child, and as a support system for you when and if you need it. Together we can overcome challenges and help each other see the light at the end of the tunnel, and see the beauty around us and be grateful for being safe with those we love.
Grazie for continuing to be a part of this wonderful community.
Un caro saluto,
Valentina Imbeni, PhD.
Head of School