June 3, 2020
Dear Fayetteville-Manlius CSD Community Members:
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the pain, grief and sorrow that many community members are experiencing following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Events like these can be challenging to process, and the social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic adds another layer to this time of unrest. We must continue to be there for each other, championing the Positivity Project’s mindset, #otherpeoplematter. We need to reach out to our neighbors and show the compassion, empathy, and humanity that everyone deserves. Most importantly, we must work together and continue our conversations around racial equity while removing barriers that contribute to systemic inequities.
The Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District is committed to creating a learning community that is welcoming and safe for all students, staff, and community members.
We recognize that some children react to tragedies such as these right away, while others may show difficulty much later. How children react, including signs of distress, can also vary according to age. If you have questions or concerns about how to best support your child, please reach out to your child’s teacher, school counselor, or building principal.
In the next few days, we will be providing resources on our district webpage to help parents talk with their children about our multicultural community and world, that encourage students to take a stand against injustices, as well as those that help us to heal from this difficult tragedy.
Warmest regards,
Craig J. Tice
F-M Superintendent of Schools