242 Newsletter - April 11, 2014

Chris Hancock - Assistant Headmaster for Student Life
Less than a week away from the one-year anniversary of the Boston bombings, many sentiments have, perhaps inevitably, resurfaced throughout the Commonwealth.
Less than a week away from the one-year anniversary of the Boston bombings, many sentiments have, perhaps inevitably, resurfaced throughout the Commonwealth. As this is my last 242 before our April break, during which the emotional return of the Marathon will take place, I thought it would be timely to offer some reflections through the lens of Eagle Hill and education. However, I continue to return to a speech given by Dr. Thomas Hehir to a class of students at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education the day after the bombings as the most eloquent and heartfelt analysis of the events that took place last April.

Dr. Hehir is a Boston native, former Director of Special Education for Boston Public School, former Director of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs. I did not hear his speech, but read and re-read it during the days and weeks following those fateful moments. It became a source of desperately needed clarity, meaning, healing and hope. He has graciously given permission for me to share with you his intimate expression of feelings. If you read nothing else, please skip to the final paragraph to see, if you didn’t know it already, why Eagle Hill and all schools throughout the United States, public and private, will continue to strive to provide the highest quality education for every child in our care.
 
“I love the Marathon. All Bostonians do.

This atrocity has produced a range of emotions in me, all of us, from deep sorrow to rage. It has also created an opportunity for soul searching and introspection.

All of us react to the senselessness of this; we feel deep sympathy for the victims. We appreciate all those who came to the aid of their fellow human beings. We all feel vulnerable. We all want to do something.

Last night as I rode my bike home to the south end, detoured around the scene, I was struck by the transformation of my beloved city. Ambulances were everywhere, about fifty parked near my house on Columbus Ave. As I was navigating my way home I asked a young policewoman if I could pass along Columbus. Her face was so sad and tender. “This is so terrible” I said. “Yes it is, pray.”
 
After restless night interrupted by the sounds of helicopters and sirens, I have tried to understand what this all means to me and what I can do to combat this evil.
 
We Bostonians are a proud people. Like all people, we are proud of our history and the role we have played in advancing humanity. We are particularly proud of our role in the founding of this nation, the battles fought at Lexington and Concord, the state constitution written by John Adams upon which much of our national constitution is based. This is what we celebrate on Patriot’s day.
 
The marathon is such a joyous time for us. Coming as it does after our long Boston winters, it coincides with the magnolias and daffodils throughout the Back Bay and portends better days ahead. The Back Bay builds with excitement in the days leading up to the event as we welcome athletes from all over the world. We bless the runners in our churches. We happily give them directions around our inscrutable city recommending they have breakfast at Charlie’s. “Yes, Ted was filmed there.” We leave our chilly reserve behind and become a warm welcoming people. I love that.
 
There is so much symbolism inherent in this event and this site for both Boston and our nation. Patriot’s day celebrates the best in the American experience, rebellion against tyranny, the rule of law based on rights and responsibilities. The event itself brings people together from all around the world as America does at its best. True athletes who run for the love of the sport raise millions for charities. This is the people’s event.
 
The location of the finish line itself is rich in symbolism. The Boston Public Library, the first public library in the US, is testament to the high value we place in education. Old South Church is the birthplace of the Boston tea party, a hotbed of abolitionist activity prior to the Civil War and the first white church to ordain an African American minister, a symbol of faith in God and the dignity of man.
 
This event, horrific as it was, reinforced my pride in my city, the police and citizens who rush to help the victims, the countless people offering our visitors shelter and food, and most particularly our medical facilities. Our physicians and nurses saved lives yesterday that may have perished elsewhere.
 
This is a class about government. Make no mistake that the event yesterday whether foreign or domestic was an attack on the people of the United States, the government. We have discussed much in the class about the deep distrust that exists among many concerning our government. We need to be reminded that policemen and fireman are the government as are teachers and school administrators. Imperfect as it may be, we have an elected government and we enjoy great freedoms as individuals in this country. Personally I feel deeply grateful to be a citizen of this city and this country.
 
On the international level there are those that detest the rights we enjoy in this country. They see our march to gender equality, religious tolerance, and gay rights as abhorrent and advocate terrorism against the “modernism” America represents. As a country we must continue to be John Winthrop’s, “city on a hill.”
 
So what do we do? For me as one who has spent most of my career a government worker, a teacher and administrator, the answer has been and continues to be “education.” I have seen over my 40 year career major good done by through education. From desegregation to Willowbrook, America has made progress toward a more equitable future for our children through education. Many of you are examples of that promise. Yet, there is so much more to be done. I continue to be energized by the work of promoting equality and opportunity through education. It is my hope that you too will embrace this challenge.”
 
Have a safe and wonderful weekend,
Chris
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