An Open Letter on Behalf of Independent Schools of New England

Date: 

Sunday, March 11, 2018

An Open Letter on Behalf of Independent Schools of New England,

We, the heads of independent schools, comprising 176 schools in the New England region, stand in solidarity with our students and with the families of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The heart of our nation has been broken yet again by another mass shooting at an American school. We offer our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died and are grieving for the loss of life that occurred.

We join with our colleagues in public, private, charter, independent, and faith-based schools demanding meaningful action to keep our students safe from gun violence on campuses and beyond. Many of our students, graduates, and families have joined the effort to ensure that this issue stays at the forefront of the national dialogue. We are all inspired by the students who have raised their voices to demand change. As school leaders, we give our voices to this call for action. We come together out of compassion, responsibility, and our commitment to educate our children free of fear and violence.

As school leaders, we pledge to do all in our power to keep our students safe. We call upon all elected representatives - each member of Congress, the President, and all others in positions of power at the governmental and private-sector level – to take action in making schools less vulnerable to violence, including sensible regulation of firearms.

We are adding our voices to this dialogue as a demonstration to our students of our own commitment to doing better, to making their world safer. Our children’s safety is more important than partisan politics and we pledge to work with any and all who share our commitment.

We stand together for our children and our children’s children to ensure that our country comes together for their right to learn and grow in safe communities nationwide. We know that action is needed now.

Respectfully, 

Thank you to Dublin School for this comprehensive listing.