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Dear Northwest School Faculty and Families,

Although most of us could not wait to wave goodbye to 2020 – with the anticipation and hopes for a better and improved 2021 when we gradually will return to a semblance of normalcy – yesterday’s assault on democracy, the rioting, the insurgence, death at the U.S. Capitol, and chaos left us stunned, horrified, and in utter disbelief. It is seldom in your life that you see something but really do not believe or trust your own eyes. When the Twin Towers collapsed on 9/11, I watched and could not make sense of it or take in what I saw. Yesterday felt similar: unreal, and “This cannot possibly be happening, not in the United States.”

I wrote a brief message to all faculty yesterday to make sure that they were aware that something horrific was taking place in Washington, D.C., because of course questions would emerge as students and adults learned about the news. Amid chaos, horror, and news that is impossible to make sense of, our students were in caring and good hands in the presence of teachers who are gifted, skilled, and know how to facilitate difficult conversations, navigate ambiguity and complexity, and pivot from the “regular” lesson to the reality of the here and now.

I thank our faculty and community who are already dealing with so much uncertainty during the pandemic and life in general. And I cannot tell you how heartwarming it was to receive message after message and concerns about my own family who live in Washington, D.C. Monica, my mother in-law, and my kids are well but shaken like everyone else. Our house is five miles from the Capitol, they never left the house, and a 6:00 PM curfew was in effect. Friends and family from Europe checked in with me in disbelief as the world was watching what unfolded in the nation’s capital.

The political divide and extremism, the lack of civility or civic understanding, the adult chaos and crossing lines that should never have been crossed are antithetical to everything The Northwest School stands for. What we saw happening yesterday does not represent democracy or the values we embrace and cherish. No words can capture or fully convey the insanity of yesterday. Faculty and students are back in the virtual classroom today, and complex life lessons and difficult questions that should not be part of the curriculum have forced themselves upon everyone.

What gives me hope during what, at times, feels like insurmountable chaos are our students and caring, thoughtful adults. Although it was difficult to focus fully yesterday afternoon, I was beyond impressed when five Upper School students presented their research and goal of helping Northwest become carbon neutral by 2030 in front of the Board’s Facilities Committee. The level of depth, expertise, and passion to improve and make a real, positive difference in the world and to affect the future was exactly what was needed and provided a counterbalance to the ugly images on TV.

Best wishes and in partnership,
Dennis


Dennis Bisgaard
Interim Head of School