In response to widespread post-election concerns, confusion and fear — both locally and globally — Princeton Public Schools (PPS) sent out a letter to families on Monday, ”affirming the values of our school district.”

“While none of us yet know how the politics and policies of our country will change,” stated the missive from superintendent Steve Cochrane, board president Andrea Spalla, and board vice-president Patrick Sullivan, “we stand together to assure our students and our community that our beliefs and goals — grounded in the principles of our democracy — will remain constant for the Princeton Public Schools.”

Ms. Spalla commented that, for her, impetus for the statement came both locally and nationally. “First, we know that many families in our schools have had fears and concerns about what political changes might mean for them and their children, for their safety, livelihood, and rights,” she said. “Second, since the election, there have been numerous credible news reports from around the country of incidents of harassment, vandalism, and bullying targeting racial and ethnic minorities, Muslims, and women. Many of these incidents are happening in schools and on college campuses.”

She went on to note that the letter of affirmation to the community “felt necessary as a reassurance to our children, a response to these national events, and a restorative reminder to all of our expectations and standards, regardless of what happens around the country.”

Princeton High School social studies teacher Jeff Lucker described several of his students “either crying or in shock” last Wednesday. “This is certainly a very challenging moment for teachers,” he said.

Noting the level of fear felt by some, Mr. Lucker continued, “One student asked for reassurance the day before the election that Clinton would win lest he be deported. When I relayed this to a colleague who has him in class he told me that the student had said the same thing to him. When my colleague informed him that after all he is a naturalized citizen, the student’s reaction was ‘but I’m brown.’”

The PPS statement asserted three beliefs of the District: inclusion — “bigotry is not a democratic value;” civil discourse and respectful disagreement — “We want our students to be advocates for social justice;” and civic engagement — to help students “develop the knowledge and compassion to become positive leaders in society.”

It further stated that, as a public school system, “we support the democratic process and the values and principles on which it is founded. As a school system we are committed to protecting the safety and rights of all our students regardless of their religion, race, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ethnic or economic background. We also respect the political views of all students and of their families.”

The letter went on to declare a commitment: to “protect our students” and “show that inappropriate comments or actions based on race, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or political preference are not acceptable; to work with our community partners to provide students and their families with up-to-date information about any new laws or regulations that may affect them; continue to create classrooms that are safe havens for students to ask questions and express differing viewpoints; continue to provide students with opportunities through literature and the arts to learn about and express understanding of different cultures and perspectives; continue our focus as educators on examining and enhancing our own cultural responsiveness” and ”most of all, continue to be a safe and nurturing stronghold where all students know there are compassionate adults who will do all they can to support them.”

Mr. Lucker, in backing the affirmations of the superintendent and school board, pointed out, “It’s very important to be mindful that there are members of the community who are happy with the results of the election. In a mock election at the high school 17 percent of the students voted for Trump. As a teacher I see it as my role to foster a safe climate in which various views can be expressed on all sides of the issue, as long as these expressions don’t violate the standards of the district on bullying and harassment, which I completely endorse.”