My grandmother used to tell me that
”
gratitude is cheap, but it can buy you a lot.
”
By some ironic twist of fate, she passed away eight years ago
without me telling her how grateful I was for all that she had done
for me. People around me assure me she knew, but I never told her.
Since that dark, rainy day in June, I have vowed to take every
opportunity to express my gratitude lest I run out of
opportunities.
My grandmother used to tell me that “gratitude is cheap, but it can buy you a lot.” By some ironic twist of fate, she passed away eight years ago without me telling her how grateful I was for all that she had done for me. People around me assure me she knew, but I never told her. Since that dark, rainy day in June, I have vowed to take every opportunity to express my gratitude lest I run out of opportunities. Since the incidents surrounding May 5 at Live Oak, I have said many things about the facts, the district’s position, and our plan for making all of our campuses more inclusive, respectful and tolerant. What I have failed to do, however, is express my gratitude to all those who deserve my heartfelt, sincere “thank you.”
First, I want to thank the Morgan Hill community for its discernment, compassion and support. As the news vans lined East Main Avenue in front of Live Oak High School, I worried our message of student safety and focus on learning would not be heard. To my surprise and delight, Morgan Hill community members not only embraced our message but voiced their support as well. Of the 1,900 e-mails I received during a 48-hour period, many of them were encouraging messages from residents who attended Live Oak – residents who know what it truly is to be a Fighting Acorn.
I would also like to thank Police Chief Bruce Cumming and the Morgan Hill Police Department. The support and cooperation I received from Chief Cumming and the MHPD was unparalleled. The chief and Cmdr. Joe Sampson were in constant communication with the district ensuring that our students were not only safe on campus, but safe as they marched through our community as well. When I asked for two officers to protect our students on their march, they provided seven. I am told the city received complaints regarding our police officers and how they responded to the incidents surrounding May 5; to those critics I would say “0” – as in the number of students and community members injured during that tense 48-hour period.
While on the topic of city personnel, I also want to thank City Manager Ed Tewes and Mayor Steve Tate for listening to our students and providing sound guidance.
Our parents/guardians deserve a “thank you” as well. Live Oak parents knew that our priorities were to ensure student safety and student learning, and our parents trusted us to do so. They could have kept their students home and denied them educational opportunities but attendance since May 5 has been normal; students have been safe and they have continued to learn.
I want to thank district and Live Oak staff members for their professionalism and courage. Staff members were bombarded by thousands of angry phone calls and e-mails. They were yelled at, sworn at, and even had to listen to death threats. Live Oak staff members were asked to drive through protests to park their cars, and they were asked to teach Shakespeare and calculus while cameras rolled and helicopters flew overhead. The teachers at Live Oak High School even had to attend their teacher appreciation luncheon amid a bomb threat. I was once told by a friend of mine that the Live Oak High School roots run deep. I am grateful those roots include courage and professionalism.
Lastly, I would like to thank our students for teaching us so many lessons. More than teaching us the importance of being heard, they taught us the importance of listening. One story that never got reported nationally was how our students organized a peaceful sit-in on May 7 during lunch. A heterogeneous group of students wearing purple and white – to symbolize peace and moving forward – sat peacefully at lunch and discussed the importance of communication, understanding, respect, tolerance and peace. They demanded the right to define themselves as an inclusive group who is working to understand others as they strive to better understand themselves and not be defined by a headline.
I am thankful to live in Morgan Hill and thankful to work with community members, parents, staff, and students who reaffirm my faith in our democracy.
Moreover, I am thankful we have a chance to learn from the incidents surrounding May 5 and to grow stronger, as a district and a community, as a result. I am committed to developing forums to promote courageous conversations on our campus that join the freedom to speak with the right to be heard and the responsibility to listen, and I am committed to working with the city of Morgan Hill to create similar opportunities in our community.
Finally, even though I am a little late, I would like to thank my grandmother for her love and lessons.
Wes Smith is the superintendent of Morgan Hill Unified School District. He lives in Morgan Hill with his wife and three children, who attend Morgan Hill schools.
