The Globe’ s Jaclyn Reiss reports on a memo Newton’s superintendent of schools David Fleishman sent to faculty following last Thursday’s forum that “was intended to be a community discussion to ensure Newton is a welcoming and inclusive place for all turned into a display of disrespectful and uncivil behavior.”
UPDATE: Here is the full memo:
Dear Colleagues,
As some of you are aware from media reports, the citywide forum on April 7th took a very unpleasant turn. What was intended to be a community discussion to ensure Newton is a welcoming and inclusive place for all turned into a display of disrespectful and uncivil behavior. Some in the audience were particularly insensitive toward a Newton parent who courageously shared a story of racism faced by her son.
Since Thursday night, I have received a number of kind words of support given that some of the vitriol expressed was directed at me. (It largely stems from the fact that I reject the accusation that our high school history teachers inject anti-Semitic curriculum into their classes.)
Despite the tone and attacks, I left the meeting feeling optimistic. Why? The wonderful display of thoughtfulness, empathy and compassion shown by Newton students and faculty was compelling. Our students openly shared their experiences and spoke passionately about their efforts to address all types of discrimination. Their thoughtful reflections demonstrated how to engage in a dialogue on sensitive topics like race, anti-Semitism and homophobia, in a respectful, honest, and humane manner.
I also had the chance to hear two of our teachers, Jodie Cohen (North) and Bob Parlin (South) speak passionately about their commitment to diversity and the important efforts underway to ensure our high schools are welcoming, supportive and inclusive. You would have been proud to hear Jodie and Bob share the values so deeply held by our NPS community.
The tone of public discourse at both the national and local levels has been discouraging of late, but it highlights the importance of the ongoing work we are doing in our schools. It begins with our youngest children and continues through graduation. At each step of the way, our students benefit from your modeling, coaching, caring and compassion.
As I wrote in a recent Op Ed piece, our school system has a responsibility to prepare our students to thrive in an increasingly diverse world. Thursday night reminded us that it takes an entire community to ensure our students emerge from our schools as kind, respectful, and engaged citizens.
Best,
David
I really wish the Globe would stop giving the protesters legitimacy and using the term “Jewish activists.” It’s sloppy journalism.
I really wish the Globe would stop giving the protesters legitimacy and using the term “Jewish activists.” It’s sloppy journalism.
^^^^ What Adam said. Those were trolls and don’t represent the Newton Jewish community.
(wish we could “like” comments)
^^^^ What Adam said. Those were trolls and don’t represent the Newton Jewish community.
(wish we could “like” comments)
Following the ADL’s lead, the latest Globe piece is a bit more thorough, but still fails to capture the true nature of the “activists” campaign of harassment and slander.
Following the ADL’s lead, the latest Globe piece is a bit more thorough, but still fails to capture the true nature of the “activists” campaign of harassment and slander.
The article says “He also implored teachers and faculty members to be mindful of how they are reflected in the school system.” as a description of Dr Fleishman’s paragraph ending in “At each step of the way, our students benefit from your modeling, coaching, caring and compassion.”
This is an awful misrepresentation of his statement praising Newton teachers.
The Globe reporters repeatedly and purposefully find any angle to amplify or create the worst about Newton. There reporting always sounds more like opinion than fact, with an obvious bias against Newton.
I couldn’t disagree more. Since I started my current day job, I’ve interacted directly with each of the last three Globe West reporters (Deirdre Fernandez, Evan Allen and now Ellen Ishkanian) assigned to Newton and found them to be entirely professional and even-handed. They have no stake one way or another in doing anything but reporting as best they could within the time and space constraints almost every journalist faces. I read a lot of municipal reporting statewide and think we’ve been very fortunate.
The article says “He also implored teachers and faculty members to be mindful of how they are reflected in the school system.” as a description of Dr Fleishman’s paragraph ending in “At each step of the way, our students benefit from your modeling, coaching, caring and compassion.”
This is an awful misrepresentation of his statement praising Newton teachers.
The Globe reporters repeatedly and purposefully find any angle to amplify or create the worst about Newton. There reporting always sounds more like opinion than fact, with an obvious bias against Newton.
I couldn’t disagree more. Since I started my current day job, I’ve interacted directly with each of the last three Globe West reporters (Deirdre Fernandez, Evan Allen and now Ellen Ishkanian) assigned to Newton and found them to be entirely professional and even-handed. They have no stake one way or another in doing anything but reporting as best they could within the time and space constraints almost every journalist faces. I read a lot of municipal reporting statewide and think we’ve been very fortunate.
Dr Fleishman’s memo is an uplifting tribute to Newton’s teachers and students and a hopeful message toward moving forward.
Dr Fleishman’s memo is an uplifting tribute to Newton’s teachers and students and a hopeful message toward moving forward.
I agree with Greg. None of us like the fact that this is the news from Newton at the moment but no need to shoot the messengers.
Both the anti-Semitic incidents and the brouhaha at the recent meeting were newsworthy stories. I think the Globe stories were pretty reasonable coverage of some unreasonable events.
I agree with Greg. None of us like the fact that this is the news from Newton at the moment but no need to shoot the messengers.
Both the anti-Semitic incidents and the brouhaha at the recent meeting were newsworthy stories. I think the Globe stories were pretty reasonable coverage of some unreasonable events.