Editor’s note: During the course of a week, issues are covered that might not lend themselves to full editorial comment, but they are worthy of The Sunday Telegraph weighing in – thumbs up, thumbs down or neutral.

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THUMBS UP – To those involved at the peaceful gathering at Greeley Park on Thursday. Those attending were there to promote diversity and speak out against hate. The rally, which organizers said came together fairly quickly thanks to numerous volunteers, gave local and state office-holders, social justice advocates and, perhaps most importantly, community members of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, a forum to promote diversity and denounce the recent uptick in race- and hate-based diatribes and acts in the wake of the online attacks against Nashua resident and Democratic state Representative Manny Espitia. The roughly one-hour rally drew an estimated 200 people, who either sat in lawn chairs or on blankets or stood in small groups on the grassy incline that rises from the bandshell to Concord Street. Many carried signs, posters or flags, and some took cell phone photos or videos. Let’s hope this is the first of many events hat – hopefully – will serve to unite our community and end any type of hate speech and actions throughout our area. By now, society should have risen above such hateful and harmful actions. Let’s continue to do our part to make a difference.

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THUMBS UP – To the New Hampshire Department of Education, who is once again asking parents, educators and community members to take a survey on how schools responded to the coronavirus pandemic. Last spring, a survey of remote instruction and the return to school generated more than 56,000 responses, helping to shape the state’s K-12 Back to School Guidance. Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut said the current survey will “provide valuable information for schools that are already crafting plans for fall instructional programs.” People can respond to the survey online through June 30. Available links are for families in K-12, Preschool, and Private Schools at bit.ly/nhdoefamily; staff in public and private schools at bit.ly/nhdoestaff; and community members at bit.ly/nhdoecommunity.

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