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’.”
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