VIDEO, PHOTOS: #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool + #CloseTheGaps on local campuses

A video posted by West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) on Oct 19, 2016 at 8:20am PDT

ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:16 AM: Our Instagram video is from outside Chief Sealth International High School this morning. Sealth is just one of the schools around the district where there’s a show of solidarity today – as described in a message from the CSIHS Black Student Union: “Educators and Students across the city will be wearing ‘Black Lives Matter’ T-shirts to Support the struggle to affirm the lives of Black students in Seattle Public Schools.” The CSIHS Race and Equity Team‘s message, “We are committed to the ongoing work of calling attention to and addressing the injustices experienced every day by people of color – in our society and in our schools.” That message also noted related social-studies lessons are planned this afternoon – it’s a differently configured school day at Sealth today because of PSAT testing in the morning. (added photo) Here are the students who participated:

Today’s district-wide action also coincides with the district’s week of conversations about eliminating opportunity/achievement gaps. SPS Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland‘s announcement of that focus included a note about today:

During our #CloseTheGaps kick-off week, Seattle Education Association is promoting October 19 as a day of solidarity to bring focus to racial equity and affirming the lives of our students –specifically our students of color. In support of this focus, members are choosing to wear Black Lives Matter t-shirts, stickers or other symbols of their commitment to students in a coordinated effort. SEA is leading this effort and working to promote transformational conversations with staff, families and students on this issue.

(Added) Scholars from adjacent Denny International Middle School and joined in adding their thoughts/names to one of the banners:

It’s the only #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool gathering we got advance word of, but if others happened at school(s) in West Seattle and you have a photo, please consider sharing – editor@westseattleblog.com.

11:02 AM: Thanks to the texter who sent this photo from Sanislo Elementary:

And, just south of West Seattle, Sarah Fox sent this photo from White Center Heights Elementary:

We’ve also added photos to our Sealth coverage above.

ADDED 12:35 PM: Thanks to Jennifer Hall for this photo from West Seattle High School:

ADDED 3:12 PM: Thanks to the PTSA at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 for sending this photo from their before-school resource table:

ADDED 3:59 PM: And we’ve received a photo from Gatewood Elementary:

Teacher Mason Skeffington explains, “I wanted to let you know that Gatewood Teachers were also united today in the #SPS #Closethegaps #EOG movement going on this week. Here is the Gatewood Staff, T-Shirts reading Change is Possible, which aligns with the last sentence of our School Vision Statement ‘At Gatewood we believe changing the world is possible’.”

WS Born & Raised October 19, 2016 (1:26 pm)

So unbelievably proud of our educators for standing up and showing our children that they matter! <3 <3 <3

Kersti Muul October 19, 2016 (4:20 pm)

Sabrina K-S October 19, 2016 (4:43 pm)

Thurgood Marshall isn’t in West Seattle but their AP lives in Delridge! So proud of all my SPS colleagues!

Kelly October 19, 2016 (5:26 pm)

What a powerful teaching opportunity. Thank you Seattle Schools!

Elizabeth October 20, 2016 (2:56 pm)

Beyond Disappointed to see that not only did Fairmount Park not participate, they wore blue school shirts instead. A few teachers proudly supported BLM, but leadership did not. A number of FP parents are angry & want to know why. The principal has refused to schedule a meeting with them to discuss.

Molly Mitchelly October 20, 2016 (8:35 pm)

Yes, it was so disheartening and disappointing how Fairmount Park chose to “participate”. I am a parent of a kindergartner there and the level of disrespect from the Principal and assistant principal has been unsettling. I reached out to the principal at the start of week to see how we can support and assist and they refused to respond. My husband even went in in person to set up a meeting and was refused. I sent two e-mails and there was no response to my request to meet to hear our perspective. we finally got a response today after lots of pressure from the community. I’m going to add to this our e-mail string …

Molly Mitchelly October 20, 2016 (8:39 pm)

Below is our families attempted correspondence with Fairmount Park:

Dear Ms. Breidenbach,

We are the parents of ———–in Mr. Warbington’s kindergarten class. From what we see at home —– loves everything about Mr. Warbington, his class and Fairmount Park in general. She is very happy and we are enjoying seeing her explore, gain confidence and branch out.

I was happy to see the below e-mail in regards to educational equity and the commitment by Seattle Public Schools. I did not see any mention of this dedication or what if anything Fairmount Park would be participating in on Wednesday’s Solidarity with Black Lives Matter in the newsletter. Will Fairmount park be participating this week and how might we parallel that conversation at home? Is there anything we can do as parents to support the school this week?

Also, my husband and I would like to to have the opportunity to meet with you in regards to inclusivity and diversity at Fairmount Park so that we can share our perspective. It is our hope that we can hear more about educational and racial justice work that your staff and our students participate in and what if any ways we might be involved, support or assist.

Principal response:

The teachers did meet on Friday to talk about this. (Both their union and the district moved fast with this and the actual teacher groups didn’t have a lot of time to come up with a plan.) One of the teachers did order stickers and buttons. The older grades….4^th and 5^th…..expect students to ask them about their stickers and buttons so there will be class conversations at those levels. I’m trying to get some data points prepared for those teachers to share with their classrooms. Their conversation will revolve around the huge opportunity/achievement gap between white students and black students – as well as all other groups – and how this is a matter that is of great concern to all of us.

My response with no reply:

Thank you for your response. My husband will be volunteering in Mr. Warbington’s class next week so I’m hoping he (my husband) can schedule a time for us to meet with you.

Again we as a family would be happy to be involved in supporting any ways in which the school is engaging in conversations around equity, inclusivity and diversity. While the educational achievement gap is a serious issue and one that I am glad Fairmount park finds is a concern, I do worry about how students can comprehend the why of the gaps. In a school environment with little “visible” diversity how might a black or brown student feel hearing they are behind their white peers. As you stated the school had limited time to prepare such a serious yet complex conversation I hope t hat there was time to prepare a culturally and racially affirming response.

Best,

ParentatFPE October 21, 2016 (5:27 pm)

Molly, you are judging the staff at FPE by the color of their shirts, how ironic. My children are students there and are black. They have the best teachers and the best principal I’ve ever met. The BLM is a political movement so just as it’s not appropriate to discuss and suggest who we should vote for or which religion is best, it is too much and inappropriate to ask the teachers, especially kindergarten teachers, to explain the BLM’s ideals. Please be informed before you make harmful assumptions about hard working teachers.

Molly October 22, 2016 (9:50 am)

I’m glad your experience at FPE as been positive. As an educator for almost 20 years I am very well informed. I know that teaching is reflective practice and I truly think that FPE has some work to do in regards to inclusivity and cultural competency. As my e-mail string above shows I made attempts to engage and be more “informed” and was silenced. Considering that I have been an assistant principal and that I have created numerous professional development models for teachers and administrators locally and nationally I have had the honor to work with hundreds of teachers and principals. As we are both parents at the school I look forward to hopefully engaging either through PTA or the proposed new equity and climate committee.

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