Dear Terra Nova Families, Students, and Staff,
At Terra Nova, our mission, Out of the Classroom, Into the World™, is more than a slogan for how we earn competencies or design projects. It is a commitment to engaging with the world as it is, with all its beauty, complexities, challenges, and heartbreaks.
This week, the world feels particularly heavy. Many in our small school family are feeling a profound sense of uncertainty, grief, or anxiety. In moments like these, it is essential that we pause to reaffirm the values that define us as a learning community.
Terra Nova was founded on the idea that every student deserves to be accepted and met where they are. We are a teacher-led, relationship-focused school because we believe that education cannot happen without a foundation of safety and mutual respect. Today, we want to be clear about what that foundation looks like:
Dignity is Universal: We believe that every human being—regardless of their background, immigration status, or life experience—possesses an inherent right to be treated with dignity, civility, and respect.
A Sanctuary for Learning: Our 17 acre campus and our building must remain spaces where every student feels seen, valued, and safe to pursue their passions. We are committed to maintaining a supportive environment where the basic human rights of all people are upheld.
Civility and Empathy: As we prepare our students to be effective leaders and responsible citizens, we model the democratic principles of listening to one another and standing up for the humanity of our neighbors.
We recognize that our community represents a diverse range of perspectives, beliefs and values. While we may navigate the "real world" differently from each other, our school serves as a common ground where humanity and civility must always come first. When one member of our community hurts, it impacts the ecosystem of our entire school.
To our students: Your voice matters. Your identity is a gift to this school. You have an inherent right to feel safe, seen and respected within our school.
To our families: We are here to support you and to ensure that Terra Nova remains a place of stability and belonging. We ask for your partnership in fostering civility regarding the broader world around us, online and in-person. We encourage you to engage in open conversations at home about empathy and the importance of standing up for human rights and the dignity of our neighbors.
Support & Solidarity: In the coming days, our staff will continue to hold space for students to process their thoughts and focus on their growth. We encourage you to reach out to us with concerns or if your family needs specific support. Terra Nova staff are steadfast in their commitment to fostering a supportive, respectful, and inclusive learning environment. This environment is inclusive of students from varied and diverse backgrounds, disability statuses, races, ethnicities, political beliefs, orientations, and religious affiliations.
We believe that education is not only about academics: it is about learning how to be a responsible, respectful, resourceful citizen in a complex world. By upholding the dignity of every person in all of our communities, we ensure that our school remains a place of hope and stability.
Together, we will continue to leave this land—and this community—better than we found it.
With humility & grace,
Terra Nova School
*Resources HERE