<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceName"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="City"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="State"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="place"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoEnvelopeAddress, li.MsoEnvelopeAddress, div.MsoEnvelopeAddress
{margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:2.0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-element:frame;
font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:Arial;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:Arial;
color:black;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none none;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue>
<div class=Section1>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Dear Colleagues, Parents, and Students:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>I'm glad to be back with you after an
extended absence, and I thank all of you for your warm welcome. I am truly
grateful to be healthy and back at B-High. I want to thank the administrative
team and staff who have carried on the school-wide initiatives we began the
year with and who have worked tirelessly in what is always a challenging and
dynamic environment.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>I've spent a great deal of time thinking
about the great opportunity we have to face the teachable moments that are
presenting themselves. From the African American members of our community who
are feeling the pain caused by recent incidents in <st1:State w:st="on">New
York</st1:State>, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ferguson</st1:place></st1:City>
and on our campus, to the young women and their allies proclaiming their right
to be free from sexual harassment, I have heard the cry from our community for
communication from the Administration, to respond, do something, fix it.
I’m abundantly aware that, whatever we do, we will find allies and
critics and I'm grateful to be surrounded by many experts and supporters who
are passionate about developing effective curriculum and an appropriate
response. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>It's clear that the place we must begin
is to foster the growth of empathy in our community. Right after the Winter
Break, we will be presenting an important lesson to all of our students
developed by our African American Studies Department and Ardarius McDonald,
Dean of Students. It will be facilitated by Pamela Harrison-Small, former
Executive Director of the Berkeley Alliance. The lesson includes images which
tell an important story about why so many of our African American students and
staff feel pain, why so many don’t feel their story is being told in the
classroom, and why we’re struggling to understand and
“manage” behavior. We ask you to be open to empathy and respect and
appreciate the resiliency of our young black men and women. We believe empathy
will drive us to stronger and more effective education and help us send the
message: <b><u><span style='font-weight:bold'>racism will not be tolerated</span></u></b>.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>We also need to respect our young women
and the other groups and individuals who are bullied or harassed. Harassment is
defined as ongoing, unwanted talk or actions. No one should be subjected to
comments and behavior that make them feel vulnerable, powerless, and
disrespected. Adults on campus have a responsibility to interrupt this whenever
we see it and send the clear message that it will not be tolerated. We are not
reacting to isolated incidents at Berkeley High. We are talking about a
pervasive culture where there is no single fix, particularly when it shows up
in popular culture and in cyberspace. We need everyone to commit to stopping
this behavior and begin to treat one another as we would want our sister or
brother to be treated.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>There will be multiple responses in the
near future to address these problems. Before the Holiday Break, a coordinated
effort will take place by the District, BHS staff, and students to send a loud
and clear message to our school community: <b><u><span style='font-weight:bold'>harassment
of any kind will not be tolerated and we must interrupt it when we see it</span></u></b>.
This coordinated effort will include: 1) Offering a clear lesson on harassment
to all students; 2) Making sure that all adults at BHS are aware of their
responsibility to interrupt harassment; 3) Providing additional resources and
information as well as the specific and immediate places students can go to be
safe and get support; 4) Coordinating with the District in their communication
to all BUSD families; and 5) Collaborating with a variety of groups to continue
building a healthier and safer school culture. We are committed to doing what
we can to make sure our students are safe from harassment and bullying and will
provide more specific information on these efforts in the very near future.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>We care about and are working to provide
the appropriate education and support for all of our students both in terms of
cross-cultural empathy and safety from harassment. Berkeley High will continue
to consider and develop additional ways that we can support all of our students
in understanding these issues. Raising caring and empathetic young adults is a
community effort. My hope is that everyone will commit to this important
work. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>For further information about these
issues, I've attached two articles: 1) Beyond Celebrating Diversity: Twenty
Things I Can Do to Be a Better Multicultural Educator, and 2) An Executive Summary
of a report on sexual harassment, the full article for which can be found at <a
href="http://www.aauw.org/files/2013/02/Crossing-the-Line-Sexual-Harassment-at-School.pdf">http://www.aauw.org/files/2013/02/Crossing-the-Line-Sexual-Harassment-at-School.pdf</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Please take care of yourselves and each
other as we continue this important work to bring our students and community
together. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Kristin Glenchur<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Principal, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Berkeley</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">High School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>_________________</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>_________________<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Marguerite Fa-Kaji and Catherine Ference
are the parent-volunteer facilitators of the Etree; please direct any questions
about the Etree to them at </span></font><font color=black><span
style='color:black'><a href="mailto:bhs-owner@lmi.net"
title="mailto:bhs-owner@lmi.net"><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>bhs-owner@lmi.net</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>. To post a message, send to: </span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><a href="mailto:bhs@lmi.net"
target="_blank" title="mailto:bhs@lmi.net"><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>bhs@lmi.net</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>; BHS etree archives: </span></font><font color=black><span
style='color:black'><a href="http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/"
target="_blank" title="http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/"><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>http://lists.lmi.<wbr>net/pipermail/bhs/</span></font></a>; </span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>BHS website:</span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><a href="http://bhs.berkeleyschools.net/"
target="_blank"><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>http://bhs.berkeleyschools.<wbr>net/</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>To </span></font><u><font size=2
color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red'>unsubscribe</span></font></u><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> from the etree, send an
email to </span></font><font color=black><span style='color:black'><a
href="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net" target="_blank"
title="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net"><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>bhs-request@lmi.net</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> with one word only in the subject line: <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>unsubscribe</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>To <u>subscribe</u> to the etree, send an
email to </span></font><font color=black><span style='color:black'><a
href="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net" target="_blank"
title="mailto:bhs-request@lmi.net"><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>bhs-request@lmi.net</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> with one word only in the subject line: <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>subscribe</span></b> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>