May 30, 2020

To the Gladstone Community,

Our nation has been shaken by the senseless death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. This tragic event is yet another reminder that too many African Americans live in fear of losing their lives simply because of the color of their skin.

Students of color and their families are a vital part of our Gladstone school community. To them we say, “We see you, we hear you, and we stand beside you.” We remain committed to dismantle racism in our schools and to help its survivors heal from their trauma.

I invite each of you to think about what you can personally do to help end racism. I’ve found that a good place to begin is to stop and listen to people of color — your classmates, your neighbors, your friends, and your coworkers. Only then can we begin to understand their lived experiences, and the many ways, day in and day out, they have been impacted by racism.

I’m pleased to see that the dialog in our community has already begun. Moving forward, we must be persistent in thinking about, reading about, and talking about race and racism. Each of us has a role to play in our community, our workplace, and our family to bring equity and safety to people of color.

Thank you for all you do for Gladstone students,

Bob Stewart, Superintendent