Associate Principal
2021 Year End Letter from Our Executive Director
Christin Carter, parent of a OSE 2021 graduate, spoke at the 2021 graduation ceremony about her gratitude to Open School staff for supporting her son, Kejon. Watch her speech or read her powerful words below…
[Open School is] doing what nobody else believed was possible. Our graduates are here despite many of them facing generational poverty, learning difficulties, social injustices and a small worldwide pandemic.
Students, you all fought very hard to cross this stage and your fight was much more difficult than so many others. While acknowledging these battles, I must also acknowledge the tremendous support of Open School staff. Without your support many students would not be graduating. Most of the local districts wrongfully label our students as a “burden”. They didn’t want to dedicate the time, love, patience and understanding our students deserve. Open School has set out to not desert our children. They just don’t function this way. Open staff knows our kids are worthy. They see our student’s potential and their value. Open fought for our students right alongside them. This kind of love and devotion does not go unrecognized. I sincerely say THANK YOU and in times like this it doesn’t seem like the words are nearly enough gratitude.When the pandemic began, so many parents were upset about the lack of support from their schools. Not us! I observed Open staff make contact with ALL of our students, checking on their mental health, offering resources for anyone needing support, providing many with basic needs and were dedicated to preventing every single student from slipping through the cracks! Our teachers were tirelessly working day and night to ensure our kids were not just ok, but thriving. This is how you know their hearts are dedicated to our children’s success.
Students, you all fought very hard to cross this stage and your fight was much more difficult than so many others. While acknowledging these battles, I must also acknowledge the tremendous support of Open School staff. Without your support many students would not be graduating. Most of the local districts wrongfully label our students as a “burden”. They didn’t want to dedicate the time, love, patience and understanding our students deserve. Open School has set out to not desert our children. They just don’t function this way. Open staff knows our kids are worthy. They see our student’s potential and their value. Open fought for our students right alongside them. This kind of love and devotion does not go unrecognized. I sincerely say THANK YOU and in times like this it doesn’t seem like the words are nearly enough gratitude.When the pandemic began, so many parents were upset about the lack of support from their schools. Not us! I observed Open staff make contact with ALL of our students, checking on their mental health, offering resources for anyone needing support, providing many with basic needs and were dedicated to preventing every single student from slipping through the cracks! Our teachers were tirelessly working day and night to ensure our kids were not just ok, but thriving. This is how you know their hearts are dedicated to our children’s success.
As we celebrate tonight, please remember to thank our staff who have wiped away many tears, built our children up, showed our students they ARE capable and most importantly believed in our students even when they struggled to believe in themselves. From all of us, thank you!