Opinion — Steven Berbeco: You belong here

This commentary is by Steven Berbeco of Winooski. He is editor of the 802 Ed, a biweekly newsletter about education policy and practice in Vermont.

A Latin teacher from junior high school once told me that the word trivia comes from roots meaning “three roads.” The idea was that people would come together where roads meet to  exchange small pieces of information — trivia. 

Here in Vermont we certainly swap news on street corners, and I’ve had my share of half-shouted updates between open car windows. The flow of information also happens in grocery stores, coffee shops and waiting for pickup at the end of the school day. 

Recently I found another spot for “hot tea,” as the kids like to call gossip these days. I was sitting  in my gym’s sauna and struck up a conversation with someone who is a school leader. 

I learned that the post-election anxiety many Vermonters are feeling is also showing up in  schools among students, many of whom are worried about being deported as part of what’s  been promised to be the “largest deportation program in American history.” 

And to clarify, these aren’t kids worrying about whether they will be able to go to Ikea in Montreal.  The federal government claims that it can stop and question people within 100 miles of a border.  For anyone doing the math, the distance from Highgate Springs to Middlebury clocks in at less  than 75 miles, for example. 

School leaders have so many responsibilities: to their students, the staff, the community. Now,  add to the list that schools have historically been swept up in immigration enforcement efforts. Despite this, Education Week recently pointed out that there hasn’t been much in the way of  public statements from school leaders. Or, ahem, state government.

There are levers that can be pulled within the state to help protect our vulnerable students. As the Legislature gets ready for session in January, elected representatives can prioritize this issue so schools can focus on teaching and learning. 

My gym’s motto is, “you belong here.” It’s time for Vermont’s education system to adopt a similar  mission statement.