May 16, 2022

Dear BISD Community,

As you probably have heard, this past weekend, an 18-year-old white male entered a grocery store in Buffalo, NY, and allegedly opened fire, killing 10 people and injuring three. News outlets report that the attack is being investigated as a racially motivated hate crime.

While this tragedy happened more than 2,000 miles away from Bainbridge Island, I feel deep sadness for the victims, their families and our society as a whole. Early reports indicate that this senseless act was rooted in hate and fueled by white supremacist ideologies. Hate crimes like this do not occur in a vacuum. Rather, they occur when racism, discrimination and hate are left to fester. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) created a graphic titled the Pyramid of Hate which illustrates when lower levels of bias and discrimination go unchecked it normalizes more severe and violent acts of hate up the line. 

As stated in our District Improvement Plan, BISD is unwavering in our commitment to becoming an anti-racist, inclusive organization. Constructive, proactive and honest education can counter the dark forces of hate in our world. In addition, BISD strives to provide an environment where our students, staff and families are supported and safe. Please do not hesitate to contact your principal or school counselor if you or your student feels unsafe. The earlier we can address and mitigate concerns, the stronger our schools will be. You can also report a safety concern through our Safe Schools Portal. 

To help combat hate, it is crucial to engage in conversations about race and social justice with our students. If you're looking for ideas or a conversation starter, the ADL shared this article: The Horrific Mass Shooting in Buffalo: How to Talk with Young People and this resource Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate.

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said in his final sermon in 1968, “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Let’s work to accelerate this moral arc so we can live in a world filled with much more love and far less hate. 

Sincerely,

Peter Bang-Knudsen
BISD Superintendent ​​​​​​​

COVID-positive cases in BISD

Click here to view the most recent COVID-positive cases involving BISD. NOTE: As of 2/7/22 BISD is no longer sending general mass notifications regarding COVID cases at schools. We will continue to send classroom-based notifications (when applicable).