Graphic by Sesame Gaetsaloe/ The Choate News
In response to the testimonies shared on the @LifeatChoate and @QueeratChoate accounts, the School established a committee called Together at Choate. Created by Dr. Myers, Mr. Velez, and Associate Head of School Ms. Kathleen Wallace, the group addressed the Choate community through an all-school email on September 3. The email acknowledged the hurt endured by contributors to the accounts and pledged to work against problems that had been detailed. Together at Choate called on the accounts’ administrators or any contributors to engage in open dialogue with the School.
Many feel that the School’s response stands in contrast to the purpose of the accounts, platforms designed to allow students to speak out under the security of anonymity. @LifeatChoate published a post that that allowed to react anonymously to the Together at Choate email. One issue highlighted in this post was the email’s lack of acknowledgement of the countless stories in which students felt their trust was betrayed by the administration.
“Choate really needs to understand what is causing their students to be anonymous and trust social media accounts more than the teachers or whatever ‘support system’ they have,” read one submission. “Please think about what tangible changes are needed so that these teenagers can trust someone without worrying about all the consequences.”
In the same post, other students expressed their concern that the School was relying on students to do the work of the administration. Another submission read: “[The administrators of @LifeatChoate] shouldn’t be expected to give up anonymity to do the administration’s job for them … I find it so performative.”
To better analyze and tackle these issues, the School has convened faculty from the Wellness team, Department of Equity and Inclusion, and Athletics Department to address some of the problems highlighted in the accounts. The email expressed the administration’s interest in collaborating with students to address shortcomings and improve the Choate experience for everyone.
