Dear Editor,
A Latin teacher from junior high school once told me that the word “trivia” comes from roots, meaning three roads. The idea was that people would come together where roads meet to exchange small pieces of information — trivia.
Here in Vermont, we certainly swap news on street corners, and I’ve had my share of half-shouted updates between open car windows. The flow of information also happens in grocery stores, coffee shops, and waiting for pick up at the end of the school day.
Recently, I found another spot for “hot tea,” as the kids like to call gossip these days. I was sitting in my gym’s sauna when I struck up a conversation with someone who is a school leader.
I learned that the post-
election anxiety many Vermonters are feeling is also showing up in schools among students, many of whom are worried about being deported as part of what’s promised to be the “largest deportation program in American history.”
To clarify, this isn’t kids worrying about whether they will be able to go to Ikea in Montreal. The federal government claims that it can stop and question people within 100 miles of a border. For anyone doing the math, the distance from Highgate Springs to Pittsford, for example, is 98 miles.
School leaders have many responsibilities to their students, the staff, and the community. Now, add to the list that schools have historically been swept up in immigration enforcement efforts.
Despite this, a national publication recently pointed out that there have been few public statements from school leaders or, ahem, state government. There are levers within the state that can be pulled to help protect our vulnerable students. As the Legislature gets ready for session in January, elected representatives can prioritize this issue so schools can focus on teaching and learning.
My gym’s motto is “You belong here.” Vermont’s education system should adopt a similar mission statement.
Steven Berbeco, Winooski
Berbeco is the editor of the 802 Ed, a newsletter on education policy and practice in Vt.
