Fairfield Prep isn’t doing a good job teaching the Jesuit tradition

Response to the New Haven Register’s editorial “Strong message needed from Fairfield Prep on antiSemitism”:

Shocking revelation that students from the Fairfield Preparatory School yelled anti-Semitic remarks to the Jewish students from Staples High School during a lacrosse game. Surely these students have been taught enough history to know where anti-semitic remarks and anti-Semitism can actually end up. Even more shocking is where were the Fairfield Prep coaches, teachers, administrators, and parents of these students, and why did they not shut them down when they yelled such discriminating remarks? By doing nothing they were all complicit in this discriminatory behavior. What kind of school is it that allows such behavior and what kind of students attend such a school? This school needs to do some inward thinking about their role in society and what kind of behavior they expect of their students.

Fairfield Preparatory School prides itself in being a Jesuit Catholic School and adhering to Jesuit traditions. Jesuit traditional education prepares students to become “men and women for and with others,” and to make the world a better place by seeking justice and serving the most vulnerable among us. Jesuits believe that true education should develop not only the intellect, but also moral and spiritual character. It doesn’t sound like Fairfield Prep is doing a very good job at what they profess they do — teach their students in the Jesuit tradition.

Nancy Alderman

North Haven