At a time when our School’s Core Values should be guiding every action, recent troubling incidents of theft and a lack of respect suggest a disconnect.
About a week ago, Upper School English Teacher Kenley Smith returned after a sick day to discover that several of her personal items, including phone chargers, markers, an eraser, and a small white plant, were missing from her classroom.
This incident, emerging in the wake of news reporter Edward Flint’s Nov. 1 article, Reports of Missing or Stolen Items Spike, forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about our community.
“I always felt that Brimmer was a place where respect and honesty were valued, and I really feel like this is not who we are,” Smith said. “We are better than this.”
Her words capture the sentiment of many in our community.
Dean of Students Paul Murray’s remarks during the October 4 assembly, which highlighted lapses in upholding our core values, have taken on heightened significance in light of Smith’s distressing experience.
Are individuals merely forgetful and careless with their belongings? Or is there something more malicious occurring on campus?
While we want to assume the best intentions, taking something without permission and not returning it is not just wrong—it is also clearly theft.
Smith said that she has faith that her colleagues would not take her items without returning them, but she is unsure whether everyone else embodies the same integrity.
We had hoped that the thefts had trailed off after announcements from administrators and past Gator coverage, but clearly, the problem persists.
In another incident, Aniyah Lesse ’25 reported that somebody had stolen money from her.
“I felt very hurt and sad because I never thought something like this could happen in our environment,” Lesse said. “And at that time, I felt like it was my fault when it really wasn’t.”
It is imperative for everybody—students, teachers, extended community members, and campus visitors alike—to not only reflect on the consequences of their actions but also to actively ensure that we all live up to the high standards set by our core values.
Transitioning from this renewed call for accountability, we are reminded that our challenges are not limited to issues of theft. They also encompass aspects of respectful conduct, marking a pivotal moment for our community.
Upper School Head Joshua Neudel’s recent email to the seniors about swearing underscores their critical role in positively influencing our school environment, especially given this year’s distinct challenges.
His message, “As the oldest leaders in the school, the expectation is that you will live out our Core Values,” is particularly poignant now.
It’s more important, now more than ever, that the senior class leads the community through these issues.
The usual concerns around swearing take on greater weight amidst incidents like the recent thefts and a distressing racist event on campus.
In confronting these challenges, each member of our school community has a unique opportunity to reinforce and enrich the fabric of our school’s culture.
Amidst these difficulties, it’s important to recognize the positive aspects as well. That most items reported missing are eventually returned serves as a testament to the integrity and responsibility that still prevails among many in our community.
This encouraging trend is a reminder that our core values are actively upheld by a significant portion of our community.
While this is heartening, it should not overshadow the need for continued vigilance and action regarding the more serious and unresolved issues we face.
We must come together to reinforce our commitment to the Core Values of respect, equity, responsibility, honesty, and kindness.
We need to ensure that our actions align with these values, creating an environment where everyone feels safe and respected.
As we navigate these predicaments, let’s remember Smith’s words and strive to be the community we know we can be.
Let’s use these incidents as a catalyst to strengthen our commitment to our values and each other, ensuring that our school remains a place of trust, integrity, and mutual respect.
