 Dear MUSD Family and Community,
Twenty years ago today I stood with my baby in my arms watching the reports of the plane crashing into the World Trade Center. In the moment my thoughts were about those who died and the surrounding areas because my cousin worked nearby. As we came to understand that it was not an accident, but a strategic attack on national institutions of finance, security and government my thoughts turned to why and what if? What if one of the victims had been someone connected to me? What would I do? How would I make sense of the loss? Reading about those who lived near Milpitas and the meaning their loved ones have found in their deaths elicits an element of solace. Still I wonder. I reflect on how 9/11 disrupted and reshaped our lives around travel, international relations, and our entry into massive events such as concerts and sports. For our children it's just how it is, but for us it reminds us of our vulnerability. 2,996 died and how many others since? There were emergency workers who responded in search of survivors who years later lost their lives or continue to live with illness as a result of exposure to toxins released at the site. There are victims of the war that ensued afterward in the Middle East. There are those who suffer due to the fear that the attacks instigated against people of Middle Eastern descent or whose faith is Islamic. Why 9/11 happened has political and economic answers. The aspect that divides people is prejudice. We who live and work in our City on the Hill, strive to be a community that embraces All. Milpitas Unified is strengthened by this community, and is dedicated to serving every student in a culture of diversity and inclusion. While we recall the events of 9/11 today, let's continue to expand our understanding of one another. In our actions and words we have the power to affirm compassion in humanity for our children. Committed to WE, Cheryl  Nearly 150 years ago the first labor day celebrations erupted through struggles to change conditions where workers as young as 5 years old toiled in factories 7days a week for 12 or more hours. Leaders amongst those working in the first industrial age fought for conditions that upheld human development and wellness. This Labor Day marks a need to recognize the determined efforts of so many workers in our nation, state, community, and in our schools.
While extensive work hours with no time off for vacation became a characteristic associated with factory workers in the late 1800s, COVID19 has resurrected the 7-day work week for many today. We know our medical and public safety sectors have been working through COVID19 to protect us. Researchers have dedicated time to provide data that help to inform changes in our practices so we can contain the virus. Educators have stretched and evolved to serve our students and their families through virtual and in person learning. Our digital devices afford us the ability to be on from anywhere, which means, we can work without limitations. This is only an advancement towards our future workforce development if we define how we use our time outside of the work space. Our minds need creative rest, our bodies need movement and play, and our spirits need connection with family and friends. Our children need this time to dream, invent, and be curious on their terms. Let us take this Labor Day to thank all those in MUSD who have invested so much of their time these last 18 months to assure that all is working for our students. As we strive together to provide our learners with opportunities to discover their purpose and develop pathways to their future careers, we in turn thank you for being alongside us in this work. May today’s Labor Day holiday find you exploring, imagining, resting, and sharing joy-filled moments with loved ones. In community, Cheryl |
Cheryl JordanMessage Blog... Archives
May 2023
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