Update Oct. 16:
To the F-M School District Community,
I would like to apologize for any confusion our message surrounding the conflict in Israel and Gaza may have caused. As a district, our goal is always to do what is best for our students. The purpose of our below statement was to convey that current events inevitably have an impact on students, and we are here to assist our school community to find any support they may need.
In our letter, we in no way aimed to take a side politically or discuss the events overseas in any specific detail; instead, we wanted to ensure that students who may be struggling know that they are not alone and that resources are available to them on campus.
Sincerely,
Craig J. Tice, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
The following letter was written on Friday, Oct. 13.
Dear F-M School District Community,
As the conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip continues to unfold, I want to assure you that the Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and affirming environment where all members feel included, respected, valued and connected.
We recognize that there is an emotional impact related to the recent violence in Israel and Gaza. As always, 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. Information related to the district’s counseling resources and support for students’ emotional health can be found here. Additional NYSED resources are also available for educators, school leaders, parents/guardians and caregivers to help navigate difficult conversations specifically related to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.
Diversity is an asset in our school community. Students, staff and families must collaborate to create a safe school environment that fosters meaningful relationships and honors and affirms the diverse identities and experiences of our students. As referenced at the beginning of the district’s Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Education meeting this week, we mourn the loss of life, the suffering of innocent people, and condemn the senseless acts of violence. We stand united against all forms of hate and injustice whether physical, spoken, or in printed form (graffiti, social media, etc.).
At this time, there are no active, credible threats to New York State or the district. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. If you are subject to, or a witness of, behavior that threatens the physical and/or emotional safety and wellbeing of yourself or someone else, please tell someone. Tell a trusted adult or report the incident using the Tip Line on the district website. We must remain vigilant together!
Sincerely,
Craig J. Tice, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools