A Message from Dr. Dana Bashara
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June 5, 2020
AHISD Families,
I am heartbroken over the tragedy of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud
Arbery and I find myself in a place of despair over the response that we are seeing to this
senseless tragedy in so many of our cities across the nation. Typically, as a superintendent, I am not one to speak out publicly about social or political issues, reserving comments like these for arenas where my position does not necessarily have credence or weight. But today, as a public school leader, and quite frankly, as a mother, I am compelled to share my heart and speak about my heartbreak and my thoughts for our community as we move forward.
In AHISD, we are firmly rooted in our core values of Humility, Empathy, Courage, Resiliency and Dignity, and it is into those values that I lean to craft the words of this message. First and foremost, our AHISD core values denounce racism, injustice and prejudice. That means that we are called to further our efforts to be better and to do more for our students of color.
As we move forward, we will be resolute in our commitment to our important and meaningful
work around character education for all of our students. We will expand our purposeful teaching of tolerance, inclusion and belonging for all of our students. We will continue to prioritize our efforts around promoting and affirming the practice of kindness. Additionally, our strategic action work around inclusivity will be our priority. We will work to ensure that our staff is equipped with the training and support they need to provide discrimination free and prejudice free campuses and classrooms.
To that end, AHISD will be committed to listening, to learning, and to getting better. Our core values will continue to guide us in making decisions and in taking strategic action that will make a profound difference in the experience, the development and the growth of our students.
As we move forward, let us renew our commitment to love one another and reassure our neighbors of that love regardless of our differences. In the end, we are all part of one Alamo Heights ISD community and there is great strength in that unity.
With love and appreciation,
Dana
Dr. Dana Bashara
Superintendent, Alamo Heights ISD