To the administrators at Covington Catholic School

Posted

Like most people, I was shocked, offended and saddened to see the story on the national news about students from your school who publicly harassed a group of Native Americans participating in an Indigenous Peoples March in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Jan. 18, and one Native American in particular who was a Vietnam-era veteran. My negative reaction is intensified for two reasons. First, I am a Vietnam veteran who served as a U.S. Marine in combat. You probably can’t imagine how I feel as a veteran about what your students did. Second, I am also a retired high school principal. Because of this, I can understand your consternation since, during my tenure as a school administrator, there were occasions when, sadly, I also had to deal with a situation where my students had behaved badly in public in a manner that brought shame and disgrace upon themselves and embarrassment for our school. So, as school administrators, you are now faced with the question of how best to respond to this incident and resolve it is a way that is just for all involved. In your deliberations, it’s probably fair to remember that all kids sometimes do stupid things, and the dynamics that exist with kids in a group can often reinforce and exacerbate bad behavior. Nevertheless, this in no way excuses the behavior. It was, quite simply, reprehensible. Apologies are owed, punishment is in order and lessons are to be learned. Ideally, there will also be recompense and forgiveness. As educators, we try to seize “the teachable moment.” This particular moment, to be sure, is humiliating and uncomfortable. But, good can come out of it. It all depends upon how you handle it.