Andrew's Grandparents and Special Friends Day Remarks

REMARKS BY ANDREW DAVIS ON GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY, OCTOBER 18, 2024

Grandparents, extended family, and friends. The general wisdom is that it is best not to discuss politics with these people. With the 2024 presidential election looming, this advice might seem particularly prudent for a Head of School. But today, I'm throwing caution to the wind. Let’s talk politics!

Central to our work at Mount Tamalpais School are four Habits of Excellence. Two of them require us to teach and discuss elections and democracy here at school. 

• The Habit of Critical Reasoning: Valuing and seeking multiple inputs and considering all facets of a topic to understand, analyze, and effect change.
• The Habit of Conscientious Citizenship: Recognizing our responsibility to society and actively engaging to make our communities stronger, healthier, and happier.

At school, we are doing two things with the Election in mind:

1. We are talking about and practicing dialogue skills. When we are truly in dialogue, we want to hear someone, not fix them or tell them how they are wrong. All through this year, we are working on the skills to approach differences with curiosity. In doing so, we will be able to truly hear different inputs, value them, and consider all facets of a topic.
2. We are conducting a robust 2024 MTS Presidential Election simulation.  We have two parties, each with 8th-grade and 5th-grade names at the top of the ticket. Each party, in turn, has a platform that consists of a free-dress day theme, a special snack, and a costume that I will have to wear on our “Inauguration Day.” Students will have to register to vote. All students will then have to make time in their busy school day to vote and might face some hurdles such as long lines at their polling place. Finally, we have an MTS Electoral College that mirrors that of our country. While getting pajama free-dress day or seeing me dressed up as an oompa loompa might bring students to the polls, we hope that our simulation will introduce students to all the steps required to vote and partake in American Democracy.

I hope you, Grandparents, and Special Friends, will join me in supporting the Habits of Critical Reasoning and Conscientious Citizenship.

Here is my advice on touching the third rail of politics in a productive manner with our students:

• Share your voting story: Democracy is the product of citizens who vote. I encourage you to share the when, why, and how of your voting story. When was the first time you voted? Why do you vote? Do you vote in all elections? Do you only vote in presidential election years? Have you ever voted for some things on a ballot, but not others? Have you been to the polls in person? Do you vote by mail? Sharing all of these details helps our students understand that democracy is the product of citizens who DO something, they vote.
   
• Speak about values rather than positions or candidates: Candidates represent positions and positions are the product of values. I encourage you to share what values you prioritize in your voting. If your MTS student asks you, “Who are you voting for” consider replying, “Who I vote for is a personal decision. What I can tell you is that I deeply value hard work and care for others. I vote for candidates whose platform upholds these values.”
   
• Share stories of friendships across the political divide: Grandparents and special friends. Take yourselves back to the 1980s and 1990s. Do you remember when Democrats and Republicans spoke in civil dialogue with one another? My dad was a presidential appointee for one political party. He had friends who worked for the other party. While their political views differed, they had shared interests and shared values. They valued good food and friendship. They valued raising boys who knew teamwork and dedication, driving us to hockey practices at 5:30 in the morning and talking over post-practice breakfasts at a Bob's Big Boy all-you-can-eat buffet. 

Many of us live in a place where we don’t know adults who hold different political views. Please share your stories of connection and friendship across the political spectrum. Doing so will aid our work in teaching civil discourse. 

Regardless of your politics, I hope you share in the Mount Tamalpais School commitment to the Habit of Critical Reasoning and the Habit of Conscientious Citizenship. I aspire to live in a less divided, more engaged, and productive democracy. I believe that the students in this gym have the potential to be the leaders of that future. Please join me in helping to create that future.

You, our Grandparents and Special Friends, are invaluable partners in the education of these bright minds. Go for it, talk politics! But keep these guidelines in mind! If you don’t, your family might end up reliving a comedic scene from many a family-movie gone wrong!

Thank you, and welcome!