Repair, Representation, and the Power of Story

Dear Center School Community, 

Last week, we shared the letter below with our current families. We believe it’s important to also share it with our broader community, as it reflects both a moment of accountability and a step forward in living our school’s values more fully. Thank you for reading.

We are writing to acknowledge a situation from last spring in which our school caused harm, and to share the steps we are taking to repair and learn from it.

In February 2024, our school invited Palestinian-American author Hannah Moushabeck to share her picture book, Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine, with our students. However, after some concerns were voiced, the school rescinded her invitation. This decision—and the way it was handled—harmed not only Hannah but also members of our own community who, until that moment, had felt seen, safe, and valued in our school.

Hannah responded at the time with a powerful letter urging the school to reconsider. She named the broader implications of this decision: that by striving for "neutrality," we were in fact reinforcing the dominant narrative, silencing a Palestinian voice, and failing in our commitment to equity and justice. She pointed out that Arab-American Heritage Month was approaching and that an absence of Arab representation in our programming contributes to dehumanization. She reminded us that her visit was never intended to be a discussion on geopolitics, but rather an opportunity for students to meet a Palestinian-American author, hear about her work, and engage with her story.

Her words should have been an opportunity for reflection, accountability, and course correction. Instead, the school upheld the cancellation, deepening the harm.

As the Interim Co-Heads of School, we carry the responsibility of making things right. Recently, we had the privilege of meeting with Hannah, who was incredibly gracious in agreeing to sit down with us. We apologized for the harm caused by the school, listened to her experiences, and began a conversation about how we might repair that harm.

We are hopeful that Hannah will come to campus for an author visit this spring, and we are in communication with her about when that could happen. Her visit would take place in classrooms, where she would read her book, share about her culture, and help students reflect on and celebrate their own backgrounds and identities. She would also talk about the process of being a published author, what it’s like to own a publishing company today, and what it means to bring stories into the world.

We know that acknowledging this situation may evoke a range of emotions. Our commitment is to ensure that all students and families in our community—especially those whose voices have historically been marginalized—feel seen, heard, and valued. We are grateful for the opportunity to reflect, to grow, and to do better, and are open to your feedback.

Warmly,

Lauren Obregón, Interim Co-Head of School

Amanda Richard, Interim Co-Head of School