Head of School Letter: The Commitment to our Core Values

In a world where polarization and online vitriol can grab attention, our Core Values of respect and compassion loom large. 

As a diverse community it is expected and valued that we hold a variety of perspectives. In fact we believe that the reason families choose Shorecrest is that we are a school that provides academic excellence within an inclusive community of families who come from a wide variety of ethnic, racial, religious and political backgrounds.

We believe a fundamental strength of Shorecrest is that members of our community learn from and choose to engage with others who are different from themselves.

We value this diversity of opinions within our community. We affirmatively say that it is important to challenge our students and teach them in an age-appropriate manner how to have respectful conversations with friends and classmates who hold different perspectives.

The ability to learn about causes and beliefs that other people hold dear is a differentiating skill to develop as students grow up and eventually go off to college. Part of our college-prep mission is to prepare students to thrive in a diverse world where they will encounter friends, classmates and eventually co-workers who hold different perspectives. This is the essence of critical thinking and being a lifelong learner, central tenets of our mission.  

Of course we expect that members of our community will engage appropriately with each other. We have policies clearly stated in our Family Handbooks, enrollment contract and technology Responsible Use Policy which prohibit behavior designed to harm others or the School. Respectful interaction is a prerequisite to effective communication and growth. In the spirit of collaboration and community, please know that individual teachers, School Division Heads and I stand ready to discuss any concerns members of the community may have, to ensure that all are included and recognized. 

Recently elements of our curriculum, Core Values, and commitment to an inclusive community have been misrepresented online. Most upsetting are the misinformation and individual personal attacks on Mrs. Khana Rebman, a member of our teaching faculty. Those who know Mrs. Rebman appreciate the way that she treats all humans - but especially her students - with responsibility, respect, integrity, knowledge and incredible compassion. We stand with and behind our colleague, an alumna of Shorecrest, who embodies our Core Values and devotes her career to the education of children. 

The Board of Trustees and the faculty and staff at Shorecrest firmly believe that our diverse culture enhances the school’s environment and prepares our students to become the next generation of global leaders. We continue to strive to be a place where differences are celebrated, where unique qualities are affirmed, and where each member of our community feels valued and respected. 

Yours in partnership, 

Nancy Spencer

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