To the Editor:
Terry Cowgill’s recent article in the Berkshire Edge,“Maskless New Yorkers pack Lake Mansfield to play hockey, dismiss COVID as ‘government hoax’” is quite upsetting. The author incorrectly states that the skaters “appeared to be from the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School.” This is irresponsible journalism. Asserting such a connection in print about an organization without checking to see if it is true is negligent at best, and in this climate it is deeply harmful.
As School Director at Hawthorne Valley, I assure you that this event happened outside of school hours and without school knowledge over the weekend. It was not organized by our teachers, parents, or students nor was it something sanctioned by our school community. Upon our further internal investigation we did determine that there were two young HVS students at the lake with their mother. Once the situation became confrontational, they quickly left. We, too, are appalled by the behavior of this group and their lack of concern for the community they were visiting, and fully support the Great Barrington Land Conservancy’s efforts to make the park safe for its visitors.
The leadership, faculty and staff at Hawthorne Valley School have worked doggedly and devotedly to create programming and conditions to allow us to safely stay open for on-campus learning. We are fully compliant with the law and follow all state-mandated protocols on wearing masks in all public places, inside or outside, whenever we are within 6 feet of another person. Throughout the year, we have cancelled our usual school assemblies and gatherings, and do not gather in groups that exceed the numbers permitted by state law.
I do not know how or why it was decided that this group as a whole should be falsely linked in print with our School, but I am hopeful that you will do your best to correct the record and amend the story.
This year has been so very difficult for all of us whether we are from New York or Massachusetts — whether we teach in private or public schools. Falsehoods and misleading stories do nothing but bring out suspicion and anger. In this case it was unnecessary and quite frankly damaging.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Karin Almquist
The writer is School Director of the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School.
