DamascusHighSchool

HomeoftheSwarminHornets
25921RidgeRoad MainOffice:2402072400
Damascus,MD20872 Fax:3012537046

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/damascushs

September18,2016

DearDamascusStudentsandParents,

Wehavehadtheopportunityinthelastweektoengageinmeaningfuldiscussionsaroundwhat
theNationalAnthemmeanstodifferentpeopleandcommunitiesinthecontextofrace
relationsinAmerica.Theoveralltoneofourconversationhasbeenthoughtfulandrespectful.
AtthefootballgameFridaynight,werepresentedDamascuswell.Iwanttopubliclythankour
staffandparentsfortalkingwithstudentslastweektohelpthemlearnfromoneanotherabout
thevariousperspectivesrepresentedinthisevent.

Iknowwewillcontinuetogrow
a
sacommunityasaresultofthisexperience.TheWatkinsMill
playerssilentprotestFridaynighthasstartedabiggerconversationthatmustcontinuesothat
wecandeepenourunderstandingofoneanother.Iurgethosewhoareexpressingtheir
thoughtsonsocialmediatobebethoughtfulandresponsibleinyourpostings.Letsmaintaina
senseofcivilityandrespectforoneanotherthatwillallowustoreallyheareachotheronthe
issuesrelatedtothesilentprotests.

Ilookforwardtoleadingyouthroughtheimportantworkofensuringthatourschool
communitycontinuestohearandrespectthepointsofviewofallitsmembers.

Sincerely,

JenniferWebster
Principal