We members of the Fayetteville-Manlius Teachers’ Association are heartbroken and outraged over the tragic killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Brionna Taylor. Our hearts are heavy as we are reminded once again of the persistence of racism and inequality that exists in the United States. We understand that these recent tragedies affect the emotional and mental welfare of all of our students and their families. We would like the entire community, especially our Black community members, to know that we stand with you and are here for you.

In times of grief and unrest, we want to reaffirm that we are a community. We must dedicate ourselves to ensuring a safe place for students to learn and feel valued. We are especially missing our students right now. In times of trouble and pain, our classrooms, hallways, libraries, and counseling centers are safe places for us to talk, process our grief, and begin to understand and confront the prejudices and economic inequities that contribute to tragedies such as these. Our students no doubt feel confused and helpless. We are committed to helping them give voice to their grief, and to use our tools as educators to empower them.