This mission of restoring Sewickley Academy and making it better than ever is critical to our children and community, and we will not fail, she said. 2014-2021 - 19 professional development workshops were conducted to strengthen the faculty, and define an incremental and sustainable path forward." Edinboro University Psychology Department. A competent DEI-SJ Plan is required for accreditation from the PA Association of Independent Schools, and the National Association of Independent Schools. In this conversation. 130 likes. Parents say it's creating division. We're concerned about the impact this will have on the teaching of history and race. Whether we agree or disagree is not the point. Sewickley Academy is an independent, private school, giving parents referred to by Odom as stakeholders more influence over the schools actions. The Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees Needs to Commit to the Following: See All The Facebook page shared anti-CRT content as far back as April 2021, claiming the Biden administration want[s] to rewrite American history.. NAIS Principles of Good Practice. SEWICKLEY, Pa. (KDKA) -- Sewickley Academy is a prestigious private school ensconced in one of the region's wealthiest communities, but it is becoming a flashpoint in the national debate over race and education. In several cases in Pittsburgh-area school districts, the individuals leading the charge against critical Race Theory are members of local school boards who also have ties to Republican officials and organizations, and many cite similar, if nearly identical talking points, to those pushed by conservative media groups. Why Were Six Senior Leaders Fired (Including All Of The (3) Most Senior Leaders Of Color)? A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. Private Schools in 315 Academy Ave, Sewickley, PA 15143 We notice you're using an ad blocker. Commit to all the items listed in the petition at https://concernedsewickleyparents.org Join the Cause for a Better Future (What You Can Do): Speak out, share this information and help us get answers from the Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees. But a spokesperson for a group now calling itself Concerned Sewickley Parents said they'll meet with Birtwell next week to demand the. Although the school does not teach critical race theory, the school has severed ties with outgoing head of school Kolia O'Connor, who had adopted a strategic plan called EnVision 2024 calling for equity, inclusion and social justice initiatives. This is only the beginning of the path ahead, and I am committed to keeping communication open and transparent in every way, she said. TV Q&A: Is a Pittsburgher writing for CBSs East New York? concerns might be." Finally, Mars Area School District school board member Dayle Ferguson, who introduced a proposal that unanimously passed banning critical race theory, has similar ties to right-wing activity. To learn more about this business and its most recent offers. If the Sewickley Parents Organization wants to make sure their children aren't ever confronted with uncomfortable topics, fine. Kimberly Rooney is a reporter for Pittsburgh City Paper, where this story first appeared . Despite the parents organizations claims of being non-political, their anti-CRT advocacy led to the departure and replacement of OConnor less than a month later. O Search for a new Head of DEISJ with experience and qualifications 6/1/21 - Sewickley Parents, an anonymous group, circulated an anonymous letter to Sewickley Academy families that many recipients found threatening. Dolan, like Cirucci, also has portrayed himself as a concerned parent in right-wing media, although he announced in his newsletter that his school-aged child will attend the Catholic school where he teaches, rather than the public schools in the Fox Chapel school district. experience and qualifications. We are Parents of children that attend the Academy, and we are Alumni of Sewickley Academy who are passionate and committed to its long-term success. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users www.sewickelyacademy.org Concerned Sewickley Parents @sewickleyparent Joined July 2021 Tweets 2021 Twitter About Help Center Terms Privacy policy Cookies Ads info Dismiss Close Previous Next Close Go to a person's profile Saved searches Remove In this conversation Verified accountProtected Tweets @ Suggested users submitted by various constituents. Vento's Pizza, home of 'Franco's Italian Army,' to close, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source, met with a concerned group of parents July 30. leadership changes that occurred July 21. CONCERNED to see our latest opportunities and sign-up to volunteer. During the school board meeting, she acknowledged that the divide over critical race theory is a political issue while also stating her belief that schools should provide curricula free of any political or ideological agenda. Ciruccis two children and one foster child have attended Gateway High School. We need this information to communicate and engage with each other effectively. Association Independent Schools (Accreditor) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. College & university. Press Release. Since the purpose of this site is to display digital ads, please disable your ad blocker to prevent content from breaking. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Association Independent Schools (Accreditor) Birtwell highlights these main points in her letter: In the letter, Birtwell mentions the struggle of keeping the schools longest-tenured teachers and how an internal survey conducted in 2016 by the Board of Trustees revealed teachers reported feeling a lack of trust and respect, fears of retaliation if they spoke up, little involvement in decision-making and intimidation. Sewickley Parents Organization does not contain any identifying information for its members, which Odom finds very interesting and quite contradictory as the letter is full of racial animus, and definitely anti-Black., But the language of the letter mimics rhetoric found in right-wing media, such as framing childrens academic excellence as mutually exclusive with social justice concepts.. Do you have a question? Go to concernedsewickleyparents.org for survey students are considering leaving Over 150 individuals from the Sewickley Community (Board of Trustees; Faculty and Staff representatives; Student Leaders; and Parents and Community Partners) were involved in the development of EnVision24 and the accompanying Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice (DEI-SJ) Plan. Somerset Township, Eighty Four, PA. One even attended the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. 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At Sewickley Academy, an anti-CRT campaign from the group Sewickley Parents Organization has led to the firings of five administrators and one teacher who were in support of the school's. The Parent Programming Chair actively participates with Youth Connect, a group of concerned adults from a variety of schools and organizations in the Sewickley area who are working to provide the information, resources, and support our young people need to avoid risky behaviors and enjoy their teen years. - Frederick Douglas, North Star, December 3, 1847 Home. Our overriding reaction, however, is to urge you to reconsider. Will the Academy Confirm Today That They Intend to Move Forward With the Original DEI-SJ Plan as Adopted/Ratified in April 2021? NAIS Principles of Good Practice. Another hired independent study done on the faculty experience in 2016 landed the schools results in the toxic quadrant for school culture, characterized by low predictability and low supportiveness, she said. Cirucci did not mention, however, that she is the executive administrator for state Rep. Bob Brooks, R-Westmoreland, and in charge of constituent outreach for the conservative lawmaker, whose district lies just outside of Gateways boundaries. Last week, The Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) Were seeing it as a movement and instead of take back your country, its take back our school, saidDominic Odom, a representative of Concerned Sewickley Parents, which formed in response to the firings of the five Sewickley Academy faculty and administrators. 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users In your petition, you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academy's Board of Trustees and Head of School. We would like to see the following actions implemented immediately: The anti-CRT advocacy at Sewickley Academy is not unique in the area, though, and barely concealed ties to right-wing officials, organizations, and media are a common thread among the people calling for bans of critical race theory throughout the region. Through these volunteer efforts, our funds are used to enhance student life and support faculty, staff, and administration of Sewickley Academy: Interested in volunteering with Sewickley Academy's Home and School Association? In an email to Pittsburgh City Paper, she called critical race theory racist itself, based on an excerpt from Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalisms Looming Catastrophe by Voddie T. Baucham, who has collaborated with the Koch-funded Heritage Foundation. Edinboro Chi Alpha. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users The letter, which the school also sent to the Sewickley Herald, comes after Academy representatives met with a concerned group of parents July 30 to discuss the schools plans for its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice plan dubbed EnVision 2024. Religious Organization. Fall 2020 - After 1.5 years in development, the Board ratified the Strategic Plan EnVision24 and it's embedded DEI-SJ Plan. The published plan was distributed to the community. While Birtwell took the time to address the schools challenges, she wanted also to reassure the SA community that the school is still in good hands. Our objective is to shine a spotlight on our childrens experiences at Sewickley Academy. Please see www.concernedsewickleyparents.org for details. Contact Us - Sewickley Parents Organization We Are Stronger Together Please join our email list by completing the form. Why Did Two People Of Color On The Board of Trustees Suddenly Resign? These connections indicate that the anti-CRT pushes in the Pittsburgh area, like those in other regions across the country, while having some connections to parents of school children, appear to be mostly driven by right-wing officials and media rather than the organic desire of concerned parents. We studied your demands.. In other school districts, people with similar connections are trying to join school boards. Now, this appears to be part of the growing national debate over the teaching of critical race theory a view of history seen through the lens of racial discrimination and its impact. But a spokesperson for a group now calling itself Concerned Sewickley Parents said they'll meet with Birtwell next week to demand the administrators' reinstatement. Paid Advertisement Is Sewickley Academy's Academic Excellence on the Decline? And theyre not progressive. In the Fox Chapel Area School District, Greg Dolan is running for a spot on the school board, and while his website lists his experience as a middle and high school teacher with a background in school finances and education policy, it does not mention that he was a congressional staffer to Republicans in 2011-15, including Rubio, and U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va.., Dolan lists this information on his LinkedIn page. - Frederick Douglas, North Star, December 3, 1847 Paid for by ConcernedSewickleyParents.org. April 2021 - The Board of Trustees President presented "Our Proud History" (YouTube), a community introduction to the plan. Press Release. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Borocampusrec. We wish to address the Concerned Sewickley Parents who authored the petition advertisement on page 7 in the Sewickley Herald's March 31 edition. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. We point this out not to boast, but to give considerable credit to the faculty and administration of Sewickley Academy. Odoms son is in seventh grade at Sewickley Academy and has attended the school since he was in second grade. "Learning for Justice supports the educational outcomes that we want for our students. Sproul also went to the Capitol for the Jan. 6 insurrection to support the right-wing conspiracy theory that the 2020 election results were tampered with to undermine former President Donald Trump. Sewickley Academy received very high marks in 2019 for it's DEI-SJ plan. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. Administration cites "mutual separation." Low enrollment was one of the reasons Birtwell cited as an influence for the leadership changes that occurred July 21. Dr. Douglas Leeks (terms not disclosed) The standards reflect a set of hoped-for outcomes that are developmentally appropriate, and thoughtfully conceived." The top three leadership positions at Sewickley Academy are occupied by individuals who hold these positions for the very first time Faculty report a substantial decrease in morale Recently, the administration enacted practices that prohibited teachers from participating in student led clubs, specifically the African American Culture club The African American Culture club is the only club where the students were not allowed to select their own faculty sponsors. Our Advisory Committee reviews all comments, and we will not share them publicly unless you direct us to do so . There is a long list of retired Heads of School who would In this conversation. The parents of We seek to ensure that Sewickley Academy provides academic excellence in a diverse environment, attracts, retains, and celebrates the best faculty in the country, and provides a curriculum and culture free of ideological agendas. Consider first: Sewickley Academy has a long and successful record of preparing youth to contribute not only to Sewickley, but to the larger community. In Clarion County, about 90 minutes northeast of Pittsburgh, school board member Gary Sproul worked on and succeeded in passing changes to the Philosophy of Education/Mission Statement of the Clarion-Limestone School District. Sewickley Academy is distinguished by not only its rigorous academics and outstanding faculty, but also by its student-centered approach to learning and teaching, in which every child is challenged to explore and excel to his or her highest ability. Religious Organization. Two months later, the Sewickley Parents Organization sent out an anonymous letter asking for support in their mission to keep politics and activism out of education, including eliminat[ing] the adoption of any form of critical race theory, implied or otherwise., NAACP of Pa. criticizes firing of Black leadership at W.Pa private school. In this conversation. In doing so, we recognize the passion and beliefs driving your insistence that the school make these radical changes. Readers write in to address the "Concerned Sewickley Parents" who authored the petition advertisement on page 7 in the Sewickley Herald's March 31 edition. There are 500 other constituents in the school. The PAIS only pursues credible complaints "that could seriously impair the quality and effectiveness of a school's program and are in conflict with the standards set by the Commission on Accreditation" (PAIS website). College & university. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users Rather, we are unaware of any private school successfully launching such a dramatic change in its educational focus. Join the Concerned Sewickley Parents and sign the petition at https://concernedsewickleyparents.org We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other; if we are to succeed. Ashley Birtwell began as the interim head of school effective June 25, and less than one month later on July 21, she fired the five administrators and one teacher, three of whom were Black. Paid for by ConcernedSewickleyParents.org Veteran Senior School teachers are Concerned Sewickley Parents. and Parents and Community Partners) were involved in the development of EnVision24 and the accompanying Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice (DEI-SJ) Plan. Edinboro University Alumni. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. College & university. The ban, which passed several days before Sprouls measure in Clarion-Limestone, is part of a patriotism amendment, framing critical race theory in a light similar to right-wing media platforms. be willing and qualified to help during this transition Those involved in Pittsburghs anti-CRT campaigns have been congressional staffers to Republican elected officials such as U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and involved in previous attack ads against local Democrats such as U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-17th District. 8/04/2021 - NAACP described Sewickley Academy as ".misguided in the meaning of the philosophy of diversity, equity, and inclusion when it comes to staff." Nesmith still maintains hope that the school will improve and better serve its minority students and families, but he also implores white community members to speak up on the issue and notes that their silence and complicity can be just as harmful as those who go out of their way to speak up and act. Concerned Sewickley Parents. Concerned Sewickley Parents, Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, Grants for Innovative Frameworks in Teaching, Instructional Technology Upgrades including iPads for all faculty members,Wireless Network Expansion, Robotics. Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. Two more teachers have since left the school, as well as many minority families. If you have a personal story you wish to share, please submit a comment below. Make all future Board of Trustees meetings open to all Sewickley Academy parents and alumni. Home and School membership include all parents, legal guardians, and other persons standing in loco parentis with a child or children enrolled and attending Sewickley Academy, as well as all members of the faculty, staff, and administration of Sewickley Academy. is bluefly back in business, And one foster child have attended Gateway High school the teaching of history and race wish to share, submit! 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