Get the Facts: Does Sewickley Academy Teach Critical Race Theory? Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Borocampusrec. If they were, and diversity was something that was important then we wouldnt be in this situation now.. Fergusons youngest child graduated high school in 2019 , but it is unclear whether they attended the local public school. "No. "The firings were retaliatory against anyone in support of diversity in education and plans to attract recruit and retain people of color. At least 1 dead, 3 injured in McKeesport shootings, authorities say, Morning Roundup: State gives $272K to Allegheny County for 'clean' vehicles, Death of Penn Hills couple treated as murder-suicide, police say, GZA, Donnie Iris, John Mayer among top concerts to see around Pittsburgh in March, How officials cracked case of eyedrops that blinded people. I think the Academy has this perception of how they see themselves. Sewickley Academy .Celebrates differences, and educates students that every individual is a valued member of our community." College & university. Go to concernedsewickleyparents.org for survey In this conversation. 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." - Frederick Douglas, North Star, December 3, 1847 However, organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and the American Legislative Council, which receive large sums of money from Koch-related networks , held a webinar attacking critical race theory in December 2020 then also referred to as critical theory. Edinboro University Psychology Department. Administration cites "mutual separation." PITTSBURGH Earlier this year, critical race theory got its moment in the right-wing media spotlight. 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. 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. If you have a personal story you wish to share, please submit a comment below. In your petition, you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academys Board of Trustees and Head of School. There are 500 other constituents in the school. 7/27/21 - "The head of school being fired and almost the entire administration is an extremely unusual situation in the independent school world," Gary Neils, Penn. Why Were Six Senior Leaders Fired (Including All Of The (3) Most Senior Leaders Of Color)? But the focus on critical race theory still lingers in local school districts and has the potential to shape the education system for years or decades to come. 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. student led clubs, specifically the African American Culture club Get the Facts: 7/21/21 - "Leadership Team Purged at Sewickley Academy Following Parent Pushback on Equity Initiatives," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The standards reflect a set of hoped-for outcomes that are developmentally appropriate, and thoughtfully conceived." Hi! 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. quality and effectiveness of a school's program and are in conflict with the The standards reflect a set of We need this information to communicate and engage with each other effectively. The post Critical race theory protests in Pgh-area schools have ties to GOP organizing, right-wing media appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. 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. Since the purpose of this site is to display digital ads, please disable your ad blocker to prevent content from breaking. Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. We studied your demands.. Does Sewickley Academy Teach Critical Race Theory? Sewickley Academy Vento's Pizza, home of 'Franco's Italian Army,' to close, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. If they want to make sure we teach both sides, and allow excuses. The school has been experiencing a steady decline in enrollment since 2002, when it had 804 students. 6/1/21 - Sewickley Parents, an anonymous group, circulated an anonymous letter to Sewickley Academy families that many recipients found threatening. Astronauts, world-renowned doctors, fashion designers, chefs, filmmakers, zombie experts, world travelers our alumni are proof that students become determined, courageous, and caring individuals ready to take on life's next challenges. Sewickley Academy The post Critical race theory protests in Pgh-area schools have ties to GOP organizing, right-wing media appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star . presented Sewickley Academy with multiple formal complaints Under the former head of school, some parents expressed concern about the current curriculum. The Interim Head of School at Sewickley Academy, Ashley Birtwell, sent out a letter Aug. 4 to parents addressing the recent turmoil of events that have occurred at Sewickley Academy over the past six weeks. 130 likes. 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. 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.. Our overriding reaction, however, is to urge you to reconsider. Other leaders in local anti-CRT campaigns also have ties to additional right-wing actions and organizations, despite attempts to rhetorically frame anti-CRT measures as non-partisan concerns for childrens education and emotional well-being. 6/14/2021 - In spite of its policy to "not engage parents," the Board of Trustees agrees for "clarity," to reach out to the Sewickley Parents to "Invite them to share more specifically what the central issues of their Why Did Two People Of Color On The Board of Trustees Suddenly Resign? 7/1/21 - 18 year Head of School is terminated effective immediately. Now, much of right-wing media has moved on to protesting mask mandates in schools and criticizing the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. Sewickley Academy received very high marks in 2019 for it's DEI-SJ plan. A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. 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. Sewickley Academy is now facing a civil rights lawsuit from former director of admissions and financial aid Douglas Leek, who is Black, alleging racial discrimination. In recent weeks, Sewickley Academy settled the federal discrimination lawsuit filed by A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. 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. In the Pittsburgh area, private schools such as Sewickley Academy and public school districts such as Fox Chapel, Gateway, and Mars Area are seeing pushes from parents and school board members to ban CRT. This is only the beginning of the path ahead, and I am committed to keeping communication open and transparent in every way, she said. Members plan to meet with the administration Friday at 1:00 pm to address the unexpected and numerous changes immediately before the start of the school year. In this conversation. When Inequality Exists In One Area of a Community, It Affects the Whole Community Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users 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? / CBS Pittsburgh. We promise we will never sell your information or spam your email. 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. Religious Organization. The Concerned Sewickley Parent Group would prefer not to put this information in an ad. Sproul did not respond to a request for comment. Low enrollment was one of the reasons Birtwell cited as an influence for the leadership changes that occurred July 21. Association Independent Schools (Accreditor) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 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