Dialogues about Israel and Palestine

Dear Griffin School Community,

While we are well into the season of end-of-year exams, arts showcases, and celebrations, we also know that members of our community are aware of and are feeling impacted by the violence taking place in Israel and Palestine. The protests and unrest at universities all over the country (including nearby UT) remind us that this war continues to weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of many, and remains an incendiary issue in American discourse.

The whole faculty, and especially the Head of School, SEL Director, and DEI Director, have had extensive conversations about the best ways to live our values vis a vis this topic. Through careful consideration, we have determined that what is most important for us is to support our students, and that leaning into respectful dialogue and active listening is the most constructive and sensitive way to provide that support. We want to intentionally avoid engagements on this topic that can sometimes inflame or oversimplify what is a complex, emotional issue, so we have actively created forums for communication that we believe can lead to meaningful, productive dialogue and understanding.

To that end, we have hosted three optional sessions to make space for students to engage about the war in Israel and Palestine. Griffin U.S. History teacher (and our go-to for historical context for current events) Emily Glankler offered an informative lunch session a few weeks ago to catch us up on the facts. Following that, SEL Director Louise Hanks has offered two restorative circles as a structured space for students to process emotions. Many of our students are witnessing horrific violence on their screens every day, developing big feelings of rage, heartbreak, confusion, and grief. In sharing how these images have affected them, students are able to feel less alone with their feelings.

We will have one more restorative circle this Thursday, in which Louise will help us hone in on ways we can use our individual feelings to guide us in figuring out where to tap in—through volunteering, donations, attending events, or other efforts that help us to take action that aligns with our personal values. Students have been beautifully open, honest, and supportive in these circles so far, which has confirmed the importance of empathetic dialogue. We want all of our students to feel safe and supported at school, and we feel that respectful dialogue is the best way to achieve that.

Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback. Thank you for your support, compassion, and sensitivity.

Warm Regards,

Adam Wilson
Head of School

Akina Adderley
DEI Director

Louise Hanks
Director of SEL