Week of January 25, 2021

Last week, the NTU Executive Board worked collaboratively with the leadership of the Nashua Parent Voice to write a letter to Governor Sununu. As you read late last week, our efforts did not have the desired effect when it comes to moving education staff into Phase 1B of vaccine distribution. While that letter was not received as we would have liked, the efforts of the two groups were not for nothing. Last week, lines of communication were opened between a group of people who are concerned about their children and an organization that represents the food service workers, para-educators, secretaries, and teachers of this school district. This was a great step towards understanding each other's point of view. Have some of our staff felt like they are being attacked by some of the parents? Yes, I believe that is an accurate statement. However, I also believe that I would be accurate in saying that some of our parents feel attacked by some of our staff. I truly believe that everyone - parent, educator, staff member - has the right to their opinion. What I have been having a problem with is how some people are expressing those opinions. The past year has been challenging for everyone. We must find a way to express our opinions, concerns, and ideas without alienating each other. When this is all said and done, and we return to our schools, we will still need to support each other, especially in areas of mutual interest - our students.

In the coming weeks, my leadership team is planning on meeting with the Nashua Parent Voice leadership team. Do I expect we'll agree on everything we discuss? No, I don't. But what is important is that we can have those conversations, work to educate each other on points of view, and maybe find out that our ideas aren't so different.