At the Regular Session of the Westerville City Schools Board of Education, held on February 13, President Rick Vilardo shared the following statement, titled, “A District of Grace and Hope.”
We live in a world that is increasingly strident and divisive, and communicates anger more than acceptance, and accusation more than love. Out of this culture, our students have come to learn, while our teachers, staff and Administrators, work very hard to create a welcoming and nurturing environment. We wish to say, essentially, one thing to our students and their families, our teachers, staff and Administrators:
We love you, accept you, and will always strive to build a culture and environment of grace and love, nurture and care, in which you can learn deeply, grow exponentially, and know you are accepted. Essentially, we want you to know, … “We have your back.”
Beyond the world in which we live, there is the world we are attempting to create. One in which all voices can be heard, all opinions can be expressed, debate without rancor can be explored, and still we are determined to see the humanness in one another. We pledge to you, dear students, families, teachers, staff and Administrators, even in our differences, we will strive to be a uniting and caring force.
So, we welcome you to the Westerville City School District….one and all. It is a place … where YOU belong!