What can rightly be called the “original sin” of slavery has left an indelible imprint on our nation’s soul. We mourn the fact that Racism is alive and well and responsible for the ongoing disproportionate impact of deadly violence against our Black sisters and brothers — from Trayvon Martin to Eric Garner to Michael Brown to George Floyd.

Ten weeks into a time that is testing us all, I see persistent pressures trying to push people down. I also see tremendous strength in people pushing back against the pressures, lifting together when the burdens are heavy, and pulling up others when they are down. In that dynamic is the value of community, writ large.

The COVID-19 pandemic has felt in some ways like an earthquake with unending aftershocks. Structures that gave stability to our lives crumbled. Routines were upended. The experience threw us all off balance. It has taken resilience, effort – and tremendous support from you, our donors and supporters – to regain our footing at St. James School.

  Dear Friends of the St. James School Community, I have been tremendously heartened by your response to my weekly messages sharing the ways we are coping with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our students, families and neighbors. Without the outpouring...