MCPS inadequately addressed Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel in disappointing statements. This school’s response was only slightly better.
Due to families struggling due to their connections to the regions affected and the distressing media students may encounter, MCPS released resources and statements concerning the conflict. Our school pushed out additional resources and statements for families as well as held JSU and MSU meetings discussing the conflict.
It is possible that the school system was concerned about choosing a side in an attempt to emphasize an inclusive community and be respectful of all viewpoints. They could also be waiting to take greater action due to concerns that it still seems to be early on in a war that shows no signs of stopping. Additionally, it is plausible they don’t feel addressing it should be a primary focus, but instead, the academic needs of schools, be a significantly greater priority.
As much as an inclusive community is desirable, it is also challenging. Peers view world events and important matters drastically differently. Individuals may disagree to such a strong extent that it becomes nearly impossible to consider the alternative perspective. Hence, when a friend or peer has an opposing belief, their perception of them changes.
In an MCPS statement, Hamas was not identified as a terrorist group nor did they highlight the ambush and ongoing conflict as anti-Zionist. Although mentioning Israel and Palestine by name, they did not identify the action as a war but instead as “deeply disturbing and tragic violence.”
Principal Douglas Nelson said he does not know if there are additional programs or information regarding the ongoing conflict that MCPS is currently working on. However, there were sessions for school staff to hear updates on how MCPS is responding. Nelson said he is frustrated by the county’s response. “I do not believe that this has been handled as well as it could have,” Nelson said.
If MCPS had done a better job setting the precedent on how schools would address this conflict, it would have been far easier for individual schools to navigate responding to it. Each school’s response was uniform originally, and later information could have remained identical.
The conflict was first addressed by this school solely through the county’s initial statement. Nelson took accountability for the limited school response in his Oct. 16 message. “I, personally, must own that communication regarding this issue has not been enough. I am sorry. I will continue to advocate and work to help things move,” Nelson said in that message.
Nelson was present at recent JSU and MSU meetings, spoke at those meetings, and is willing to talk with any students struggling. “Allowing students to plan and develop those spaces and then be present for them, I think, has been important. I’ve really tried to give my honest thoughts to students as they come down. I just tried to very much give my honest perspective and my honest opinion about the [conflict],” Nelson said.
In a venture to educate students about this conflict, our school made an effort to roll forward a slideshow through social studies classes. The hope was to educate regarding the conflict to balance out the influx of questionable information students acquire on social media. It unfortunately wasn’t able to be executed. “I think it’s the lack of emotional safety that then makes it very challenging to do things that you would otherwise normally be able to do,” Nelson said.
One major issue for people wanting to learn more is that misinformation regarding the conflict is flooding social media. As students may still be learning the tools needed to be skeptical, quality information about world events is vital. If the administration had been able to share this presentation, it would have ensured students across the county understood the magnitude and significance of the conflict.
A better response from MCPS should provide information for students about navigating friendships or peer relationships with people of opposing beliefs. This could look like meetings solely focused on handling interpersonal relationships through JSU, MSU and other student organizations.
MCPS could have rolled out a presentation suitable for the various ages and maturity levels of students, exactly what our school attempted to do. Additionally, more security officers could be assigned to schools, especially those schools with recent histories of antisemitism.
Any of these proposals would have been the effective initiative that MCPS students and families yearn for.
