When reflecting on the recent political climate, English teacher Julianne Herbert said she feels divisiveness in the school parallels the country as a whole.

“I think what’s happened in the classroom is what’s happening all over the country. We are more and more polarized,” Herbert said. “When that’s what’s going on outside of these walls, that tends to be mirrored within these walls.”

Junior Lewis Brown said he hears his teachers talking about politics an increasing amount since the presidential election.

“They either (are) neutral to both parties, or they come off very Democratic. They come off really strong in their opinion against the president right now,” Brown said.

In an announcement Feb. 2, Principal Scott Meyers addressed the political climate of the country in relation to the Park community.

“As your principal, I want to reassure you that the recent events in our country will in no way impact our mission that all feel included and safe in our schools,” Meyers said. “You may be hearing a very different message in our country that may contribute to a fear of the unknown, but be assured that the high school is a safe place for all.”

Brown said he feels Meyers’ announcement, as well as Superintendent Rob Metz’s recent statements in reference to the political climate, go too far.

“I think it’s wrong to say that because obviously us people have lots of different views,” Brown said. “Someone could like the president and be happy with the outcome (of the election), and (those statements) could make them feel unwelcome.”

Junior Ubah Abdullahi said she is pleased with Meyers’ statement given his difficult role in leading such a diverse school.

“I feel like Mr. Meyers is doing his job as a principal of such a multi-ethnic school, and I think what he did was not only brave, but it’s a show of warmth,” Abdullahi said. “Mr. Meyers is an absolute hero in terms of his job and what he does as a principal in the school.”

Higher Achievement Program advocate Peter Redmond said he also appreciates the strong leadership of Meyers and Metz through divisive times created by politics.

“I think both of them are courageous leaders. They both step up and address situations,” Redmond said. “I have the utmost respect for both Meyers and Metz.”

Abdullahi said she sees issues with adults in the building shying away from political conversations.

“It’s opinions that got us in this place in the first time,” Abdullahi said. “If you try to shy away and attempt to conceal your opinions regarding a political aspect because of your situation as a teacher or your position as an administrator, I think that’s not only disingenuous to the students, but I think you’re making such a (large) body of students feel like they’re not being heard.”

Brown said he feels the need for change when dealing with politics in the school to make all students comfortable sharing their opinions.

“I’ve been made to feel uncomfortable and everyone was coming against me. It’s really difficult for the teachers to say ‘no, this is his stand, this is his opinion.’ They won’t do that because they feel so strongly about (one) side,” Brown said.

Herbert said she feels the school needs more conversation about the country’s political climate.

“I think we need more conversation. We need to be more open about (politics) instead of pretending it’s not there,” Herbert said.

Abdullahi said she wants to see teachers and administrators facilitating more meaningful political conversations between students.

“They need to make an environment in which people feel comfortable expressing their opinions,” Abdullahi said. “If you have a conversation about deep-rooted philosophies, I think you can get so much out of it and you can have a common base where everyone feels some form of connection to each other.”