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. College & university. standards set by the Commission on Accreditation" (PAIS website). Follow the link to read our updated Privacy Policy, At ceremonial swearing-in, Pa. Rep. Deluzio says hell be a fighter for western Pa., Poll confirms worrying spike in antisemitism | Thursday Morning Coffee, What Norfolk Southerns accident reports say about the company and industry, A Norfolk Southern policy lets officials order crews to ignore safety alerts, Quaker Valley Parents and Community group, large sums of money from Koch-related networks. Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. 8/05/2021 - Sewickley Academy's justification for staff terminations at first was "low enrolment, " but the reasons continue to change. Academic Excellence on the Decline? Hi! He appeared on a July 7 Fox News segment and was introduced only as a father of two running for school board. Veteran Senior School teachers are If the Sewickley Parents Organization wants to make sure their children aren't ever confronted with uncomfortable topics, fine. Cirucci argued that CRT teaches children to be victims not Over-comers and that it judges people collectively not individually, which she, similar to Prager U talking points, calls racist and a threat to meritocracy due to its focus on equity not equality. According to the National Society of High School Scholars, equality gives everyone the same resources and opportunities while equity takes into consideration individuals specific needs. In this conversation. 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. If you have a personal story you wish to share, please submit a comment below. 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. Western PA. "2020/2021 Enrollment is the highest it's been in three years." 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. These standards are in practice at comparable independent schools in 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." A group of families, alumni and allies of made up of multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds, immensely concerned See more 134 peoplelike this 157 people follow this http://www.concernedsewickleyparents.org/ admin@concernedsewickleyparents.org 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. www.sewickelyacademy.org Why did Sewickley Academy choose "Learming for Justice" standards? 10 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. Reviews. Association Independent Schools (Accreditor) 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. Please see www.concernedsewickleyparents.org for details. 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. We studied your demands. Enrollment is like a report card of satisfaction, and Sewickley Academy has been missing the mark, Birtwell said. A competent DEI-SJ Plan is required for accreditation from the PA Association of Independent Schools, and the National Association of Independent Schools. In April 2021, however, parents at Sewickley Academy received an email about the plan. We point this out not to boast, but to give considerable credit to the faculty and administration of Sewickley Academy. Whether we agree or disagree is not the point. In this conversation. Concerned Sewickley Parents. We would like to see the following actions implemented immediately: More. In Gateway School District in Monroeville, school board member Mary Beth Cirucci organized a meeting for community members opposed to CRT directly before an Aug. 10 school board meeting . April 2021 - The Board of Trustees President presented "Our Proud History" (YouTube), a community introduction to the plan. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. Cirucci has obfuscated her affiliation with elected Republican officials before, including when she appeared in a conservative super PACs attack ad against Lamb, in 2018. While Nesmith remembers his years at Sewickley Academy fondly, he also recognizes the longstanding issues that Sewickley Academy has with race. high marks in 2019 for it's DEI-SJ plan. 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. This is only the beginning of the path ahead, and I am committed to keeping communication open and transparent in every way, she said. Go to concernedsewickleyparents.org for survey In recent weeks, Sewickley Academy settled the federal discrimination lawsuit filed by When discussing the leadership changes that some community members and SA parents questioned, Birtwell said the covid-19 pandemic helped to crystallize for us the seriousness of our challenge.. Our Mission - Sewickley Parents Organization Our Mission Working with the Board, the Administration and the Community ensure Sewickley Academy: A strong focus on academic fundamentals unencumbered by divisive social or political doctrine Engagement of parents in the selection and adoption of curriculum A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. Association Independent Schools (Accreditor) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Is Sewickley Academy's Sewickley Academy Interim Head of School Ashley Birtwell. Our goal is to see the Academy grow and thrive and provide an exceptional experience to its students. Birtwell concluded the letter by mentioning this will not be the last time she will be open to the public about Sewickley Academys internal workings, and that she is proud to be a member of the community. College & university. Vento's Pizza, home of 'Franco's Italian Army,' to close, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. Birtwell said that 583 students were enrolled at the school for the 2020-21 school year. Get the Facts: So five, or six, or 10 individuals had the hubris to believe that they could, in turn, determine what the other constituents would receive as part of their education., The fight over critical race theory lands in Harrisburg; House GOP bill would punish districts that teach it | Thursday Morning Coffee. Since the purpose of this site is to display digital ads, please disable your ad blocker to prevent content from breaking. www.sewickleyacademy.org. Paid Advertisement Is Sewickley Academy's Academic Excellence on the Decline? Why Did Two People Of Color On The Board of Trustees Suddenly Resign? When Inequality Exists In One Area of a Community, It Affects the Whole Community The Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees Needs to Commit to the Following: Immediately hire a competent DEI-SJ consultant to transition the school through this difficult time. But at public school districts, parents such as those at Quaker Valley School District, in which Sewickley Academy is located, are also rallying against CRT. Two more teachers have since left the school, as well as many minority families. The standards reflect a set of Secondly, please consider the credibility of your demands. These standards are in practice at comparable independent schools in Western PA. A competent DEI-SJ Plan is required for accreditation from the PA Association of Independent Schools, and the National Association of Independent Schools. Paid Advertisement Administration cites "mutual separation." 26 130 likes. Birtwell said the dwindling student enrollment has prompted existing students to leave for other schools, which affects the student experience. Sewickley Academy .Celebrates differences, and educates students that every individual is a valued member of our community." Contact Us - Sewickley Parents Organization We Are Stronger Together Please join our email list by completing the form. Please let us know how we can help. - Frederick Douglas, North Star, December 3, 1847 Videos on platforms such as PragerU , a conservative media company initially funded by fracking billionaires, decried critical race theory as un-American and focused on the alleged harm it does to childrens perceptions of themselves. quality and effectiveness of a school's program and are in conflict with the Our Advisory Committee reviews all comments, and we will not share them publicly unless you direct us to do so . The Quaker Valley Parents and Community group cites Sewickley Parents Organization directly on its website, as well as right-wing media organizations such as PragerU and the Heritage Foundation , both of which receive funding from fracking billionaires who invest heavily in conservative media. Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. Does Sewickley Academy Teach Critical Race Theory? Paid Advertisement Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Borocampusrec. Please enter valid email address to continue. Our overriding reaction, however, is to urge you to reconsider. CONCERNED 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 concerns might be." Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Borocampusrec. 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 .Celebrates differences, and educates students that every individual is a valued member of our 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. "The firings were retaliatory against anyone in support of diversity in education and plans to attract recruit and retain people of color. 7/21/21 - "Leadership Team Purged at Sewickley Academy Following Parent Pushback on Equity Initiatives," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Concerned Sewickley Parents @sewickleyparent "The Man Who Fired Dr. Wolfe is a Coward & Not Half The Educator She Is" - Dr. Barrett Gough High School History Teacher Concerned Sewickley Parents Retweeted Talia Kirkland @talia_kirkland Removal of restrictions on free speech "that damages the rep. of the school," a reference to the S.A. Handbook. We are concerned that this is a hostile environment and our students will be ostracized," the group said. Why did Sewickley Academy choose "Learming for Justice" standards? "Learning for Justice supports the educational outcomes that we want for our students. To turn the academy upside down without drawing from a comparable schools practices will, in our view, risk undercutting your childrens education while gaining little in return. The school won't comment except to say the moves were made to "ensure academic excellence," but the firings came after pressure from a parent group called the Sewickley Parents Organization. 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. Members plan to meet with the administration Friday at 1:00 pm to address the unexpected and numerous changes immediately before the start. In short, the scope and scale of the problems faced by our school required the fresh perspective of new leadership, Birtwell said. Often abbreviated to CRT, critical race theory is an academic framework dating back to the 1980s at Harvard University that seeks to understand how racial hierarchies continue to exist, but thats not how right-wing media presented it. This ad was originally published on this date and may contain an offer that is no longer valid. represent the makeup of the student body at Sewickley Academy Will the Academy Confirm Today That They Intend to Move Forward With the Original DEI-SJ Plan as Adopted/Ratified in April 2021? 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. "Learning for Justice supports the educational outcomes that we want for our students. conservative super PACs attack ad against Lamb, went to the Capitol for the Jan. 6 insurrection, children attended Clarion-Limestone High School, vice president of the Republican Women of Butler County, affiliated with the Koch family and the American Legislative Exchange Council, Critical race theory protests in Pgh-area schools have ties to GOP organizing, right-wing media. Similar omissions of affiliations with Republican officials are common across anti-CRT coverage. Home. 2014-2021 - 19 professional development workshops were conducted to strengthen the faculty, and define an incremental and sustainable path forward." 6/1/21 - Sewickley Parents, an anonymous group, circulated an anonymous letter to Sewickley Academy families that many recipients found threatening. Public statements have included, "research driven; moving in a new But a spokesperson for a group now calling itself Concerned Sewickley Parents said they'll meet with Birtwell next week to demand the. 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. 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. Fergusons youngest child graduated high school in 2019 , but it is unclear whether they attended the local public school. 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 Sewickley Academy received very high marks in 2019 for it's DEI-SJ plan. The top three leadership positions at Sewickley Academy are occupied by individuals who Birtwell also said that having more students enrolled allows for the vocal, music and dramatic arts offered to improve. Sewickley Academy 4/2020 Communication. 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. The school has had to reduce the number of athletic teams and eliminate some sports over the years. Albums. Paid for by concernedsewickleyparents.org We promise we will never sell your information or spam your email. What Is Happening at Sewickley Academy Affects The Whole Community 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. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved. Teachers come under pressure as politicians, parents battle over critical race theory. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users Stand Together, the philanthropic community founded by Charles Koch, reached out to City Paper after this story was first published to say they oppose efforts to ban ideas, whether we agree or disagree, including critical race theory. 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