| March 24, 2021 Dear STM Families, Crimes targeting Asian Americans have risen nationwide since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to be alarming and disturbing. At St. Thomas More and at our Preschool, Utopia, we stand in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The following excerpts are taken from a letter shared by Rachell Frantz, our Preschool Director, with our Utopia families last week. St. Thomas More School and Utopia "are committed to celebrating differences in our classrooms and creating inviting spaces that allow children and families to be their authentic selves. There is always room for us to learn from each other, engage in thoughtful conversations, develop our awareness and advocate for social justice. We are dedicated to exploring the topics of anti-racism, anti-bias, equity and diversity in developmentally appropriate ways for children while also providing resources and support for our families"..."Our staff honors each family's culture, heritage, and experience and will continue to prioritize anti-racism, inclusion and equity in our classrooms....We are fortunate to have strong teachers from diverse backgrounds that are leading by example in their work with the children at school. They exemplify dedication, patience, persistence and acceptance even during these most difficult times." The following resources may be helpful to your family as you continue to talk to your children about race and racism in this country. | 
