A Message from the Head of School: Reflecting on the Week’s Events and Looking Ahead
Dear Archer Community,
In my message to students and staff on Wednesday, which was also sent to families, I noted that the majority of our country voted for change and therefore change and hope are before us. The illegal and violent invasion of our Capitol was, plain and simple, an act of terror and sedition, incited by President Trump. As I write this, bipartisan members of Congress are calling for the President’s removal.
The vile white supremacy on display by the hate groups who breached the Capitol was met with a weak and utterly insufficient police response. If one compares it with the military police response to Black Lives Matter protests, the reality of racism comes into sharp focus. As we reflect on these events at Archer, we further commit ourselves and empower our students to counteract racism and uphold Archer’s core values of empathy, integrity, and responsibility.
On Thursday, students were invited to process Wednesday's events in their Mentor groups. For families seeking guidance on how to talk with your kids at this difficult moment, Common Sense Media offers these helpful resources. As the weeks unfold, and we move into a new era of national leadership, Archer will continue to give our students the opportunity to reflect on and strive for social justice and equity in all forms during our bi-weekly Current Conversations.
Processing current events of this nature is challenging for a community even under the best circumstances. As I noted in Wednesday’s video message, I wish more than anything we had been together on campus to sit in a circle in the Rose Room as we have done in years past, talking and listening to the range of thoughts and emotions with open minds and hearts. In that spirit, I know many of you are wondering about our plans to return to campus.
First, our hearts go out to those whose families have been impacted by COVID-19. As I’m sure you are aware, conditions are dire in Los Angeles County, with one COVID-related death every eight minutes. Accordingly, the Department of Public Health has strongly advised that schools not resume in-person activities until the surge in COVID cases subsides. Prior to Winter Break, the Senior Administrative Team and I were planning for your daughters to return to school in limited capacity for social connection. Archer is prepared to enact the recommended health and safety protocols, and will resume our plans to offer social connection on campus once the L.A. Department of Public Health indicates it is appropriate to do so.
I will be sharing more details about plans for the coming semester during the postponed Remote Parent Meeting on Monday, January 11, at 6:30 p.m. You’ll also get an inside look at what our teachers are learning together and have an opportunity to socialize with other Archer parents. In the meantime, I wish you all well and look forward to coming together as a community next week.
Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth English
The Archer School for Girls admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or other legally protected status to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or other legally protected status in its hiring or in the administration of its educational policies and programs, admissions policies, financial aid programs or other school-administered programs.
The Archer School for Girls’ mission is to educate students in an environment specifically designed for girls. As such, the school will consider any candidate for admission who identifies as a girl. Once admitted to Archer, all students in good academic standing who abide by Archer’s code of conduct and who meet requirements for graduation will be eligible to receive an Archer diploma, regardless of any change in sexual identity or other legally protected status.
