News Detail
A Letter from the Head of School
Yesterday, I sent a similar letter to our amazing faculty and staff, thanking them for their remarkable strength, commitment, and courage in the face of true danger and adversity. I write now to everyone, including our students, families, and alumni, to say thank you for demonstrating how a community should love and care for each other in times of crisis, and to share details about the re-opening of school.
Dear friends,
The past month or two has been a trying time for our community. From the illness and death of a beloved colleague to the historic fires that are profoundly affecting so many of our lives. Our hearts ache, and we are all feeling more than a little bit raw.
But while we cannot always control our own circumstances, we are always able to determine how we respond to challenge; and it has been truly beautiful to witness how this community has come together in a time of real need. The unconditional solidarity, gratitude, willingness to sacrifice, and—above all—love (yes, love!) you have all shown each other has been both inspiring and humbling.
In a frightening and difficult period, you have responded with true menschlekeit. I have personally fielded hundreds of emails, texts and phone calls offering support, resources, even homes for those who have been impacted and displaced. That is to say nothing of the quiet kindnesses, the secret acts of generosity, and the unspoken mitzvot that have occurred behind the scenes since the fires began. Nor does it begin to cover the amazing friendship and cooperation we have experienced from our sister institutions. (I believe the photo of the combined Sefrei Torah from Milken, Wise, and Leo Baeck Temple resting safely at Valley Beth Shalom is one of the most elegiac and profound images I have ever seen.)
This outpouring of support has been unprecedented. I am overwhelmed by the “we” of us. More than at any time in my memory, we are earning the word “community” in our school’s name. Thank you, one and all, thank you. I have never been so proud of any group of people as I am of this one right now.
As I write this letter on Friday morning, Nathan Humphreys and our Operations Teams (whose efforts protecting our campus have been nothing less than heroic) are thoroughly cleaning the school inside and out. An environmental hygienist team is on campus this very moment, checking air quality to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we intend to reopen school on Monday, December 11, 2017. Please know that both the Middle School and Upper School (at 11:00) will be holding special Town Meetings on Monday. While we want to save as much instructional time as we can, I think it’s important for everyone to be able to come back together, process the events of the past week, and express gratitude to each other and to those who have so bravely ensured our safety. Later that day, the administrative team will meet to finalize any adjustments to our academic calendar. More information about this, and about other changes and adjustments, are included in this Messenger.
Even if things look safe tomorrow or over the weekend, I ask everyone to continue to avoid campus until Monday unless you specifically receive an “all-clear” notification from us. While I appreciate the many offers to lend a hand, the danger has not yet completely passed; and in any event, it’s essential we make sure our campus is completely safe before we allow faculty or students to re-enter campus.
I am fully aware that while a return to normalcy (or at least the wonderful, awesome weirdness we consider normalcy, anyway!) is certainly a welcome way to close out a tough calendar year, it will not make some of the wounds of the past weeks instantly disappear. Nothing can do that, and I know many of us will face ongoing personal challenges. Please know that you not only have my unconditional support but this institution’s support as well.
Finally, let us remember that while the threat here in our neck of the woods seems to have passed, let us keep in mind that so many of our friends and families in other parts of Southern California continue to struggle with life-threatening conditions. I ask that you keep your hearts and homes open to those in need and that you keep the brave men and women who are fighting the ongoing fires in Ventura, Sylmar, Santa Clarita, San Diego, and elsewhere in your most fervent prayers.
I look forward to seeing you all soon, and to finishing out 2017 as we should, productively and together. I know we will return from the new year stronger than ever, bolstered as always by each other and our commitment to serving our students and our mission.
May we continue to go from strength to strength—
B’Shalom,
Gary Weisserman
Head of School
Milken Community Schools
At Milken Community School, we think education is more than what you know. Our School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children can become and how they can help others become who they might be. Because the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the School we build today, our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us.
Non-discrimination Policy: Milken Community School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, athletic, and other school-administered programs.
Saperstein Middle School Campus
Upper School Campus
Copyright © 2024 Milken Community School