January 18, 2021
A Message from Superintendent Matt Nelson on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
I hope this message finds you in good health. I want to share a few thoughts on this holiday, especially in light of recent events in Washington D.C. As we reflect on the life of Dr. King, it is more important than ever to recognize the hopes and needs of others. He showed us that all people were his people and that the world can become a better place when we embrace a philosophy of caring for everyone, regardless of race, nationality or political party.
The words that I keep coming back to on this day are tolerance and understanding. Let’s accept our differences and look for qualities in others that we can embrace. This is everyone’s responsibility, not just our leaders; tolerance and understanding must be part of our actions and daily life. Dr. King led the way with civility and today I share with you one of my favorite quotes from a speech he gave in 1964:
“We must either learn to live together as brothers or we are all going to perish together as fools”
On this holiday, let it not be just a day off from school, but an opportunity to understand the importance of civic discourse and listening with open hearts and open minds to each other’s stories.