"Pivot" has emerged as an essential part of the syntax of the global pandemic. We’ve all been asked to pivot in our work and family care arrangements, our shopping and entertainment expectations and, at RSGC, the essential practices of teaching and learning, and community engagement. This issue of The Shield is, itself, a pivot from our original intent to write about community and mental wellness. The two, of course, are inextricably linked.

My original remarks for this corner of the page were similarly on the topic of the responsiveness of my colleagues, our students and parents and our broader community to the unprecedented situation we found ourselves in. It was written and ready to go.

And then, in late May, the long simmering and justified anger, frustration and fear from the latest anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, violence and oppression boiled over onto the streets in waves of protest aimed at dismantling systemic racism in every form.

I hope all members of our community have seen the statement put out by the College standing in support of outcry in the form of protest, acknowledging our own institutional discrimination and bias, and pledging action to dismantle these in creating a better version of RSGC.

In our end-of-year Professional Development work, our entire staff took part in a workshop called Recognizing our Responsibility: The Work Starts with Us. As part of the program, we were asked three important questions: Where do I stand? Where did I grow up? How did I grow up?

We were reminded that internal changes in each cell make for systemic changes in the whole organism. This work is personal and can be difficult. Part of my own complex relationship with thinking about systemic racism here at our school is that I grew up here. I’ve been here since I was eight years old. My blind spots and my biases are heightened because this is where I grew up. It’s how I grew up. It’s where I stand. I’m unpacking that. I love RSGC, but I also acknowledge that we can and must do better. My sons also go to school here and I want their school to be even better than mine.

We have much to learn, in so many domains. Learning, however, is the hallmark of great schools. I am more grateful and prouder than ever to be a Georgian.