MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 11, 2024
Media Contact:
Kate Kile, Director of Strategy and Operations
kate@tlh.villagesquare.us
850.284-5511
If you go:
What: The Village Square’s “Seeking Higher Ground in the School Wars”
When: Thursday, April 18th, 5:30-7:30 PM
Where: St. John’s Episcopal Church, Alfriend Hall (off Calhoun St.), 211 North Monroe, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Website: https://tlh.villagesquare.us/event/school/
If You Go: $15, with free ticket option available
Post-event podcast available: The podcast for this program will be available on May 9th.
The Village Square’s God Squad celebrates its fourteenth season with “Seeking Higher Ground in The School Wars” with Leon County School Board Member Dr. Marcus Nicolas
Tallahassee, FL – April 11, 2024 – The Village Square, known for its commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding in our community, is wading into the controversial territory around education in America with the God Squad event “Seeking Higher Ground in the School Wars,” on Thursday, April 18th at St. John’s Episcopal Church, at 5:30 pm.
In a culturally, religiously, and racially diverse society like ours — with a single public school system designed to educate America’s children — maybe we shouldn’t be surprised that the culture wars have “Officially Hit Our Schools.” When you clear away the noise, at the core of the struggle is this: what should our schools teach our children—and who decides?
The answer to this question is one of the most contentious debates in our politics today, with each side in this schoolhouse brawl acting badly—with alternating anger and contempt—modeling behavior we can hardly think is good for our children to watch. If we can’t get it together to host a constructive conversation, it will be our children who lose the most. How can America’s pluralistic ethics find a true home in our schools?
The program will feature special guest Dr. Marcus Nicolas, a member of the Leon County School Board. Dr. Nicolas represents District 5 on the Leon County School Board and is the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement, Operations & Administration at the FSU Alumni Association. As a former high school teacher, college assistant professor, associate dean — and the parent of two Leon County Schools students — Dr. Nicolas brings his vast experience in education to this complex conversation.
The God Squad is a politically and racially diverse group of faith leaders devoted to bringing more light and less heat to challenging topics where faith meets politics in the public square. This special God Squad program in celebration of the end of their 14th year of conversations “for people of faith and no faith at all, because talking politics wasn’t hard enough,” will offer heavy appetizers and drinks ahead of the program — prepared by Lively Cafe’s Fran Doxsee.
The event will be facilitated by Father Tim Holeda, Rector of St. Thomas More Co-Cathedral, and will feature the diverse lineup of God Squad regulars, including Reverend Latricia Scriven of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Dr. Gary Shultz of First Baptist Church, Pastor Joseph Davis, Jr. of Truth Gatherers Community Church and Stefanie Posner of Temple Israel — each bringing a unique perspective and valuable insights on the importance of ending the cycle of mean-spiritedness.
This special year-end celebration is $15 (a free registration option is available) and a reservation is required.
About The Village Square: The Village Square is a community-driven organization dedicated to fostering dialogue and understanding across diverse perspectives. Through a variety of events and initiatives, The Village Square seeks to build bridges, create connections, and promote a sense of unity in our community across our differences.
Photo/Tagline:
From top left: Special guest School board member Dr. Marcus Nicolas, Joe Davis, Jr., Truth Gatherers Community Church; program facilitator Tim Holeda, The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Dr. Latricia Scriven, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Dr. Gary Shultz, First Baptist Church of Tallahassee; and Stefanie Posner of Temple Israel.
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