standards set by the Commission on Accreditation" (PAIS website). Please see www.concernedsewickleyparents.org for details. 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. The Facebook page shared anti-CRT content as far back as April 2021, claiming the Biden administration want[s] to rewrite American history.. 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 Immediately hire a competent DEI-SJ consultant to transition the school through this difficult time. Since the purpose of this site is to display digital ads, please disable your ad blocker to prevent content from breaking. But the problem is, its not your school. This ad was originally published on this date and may contain an offer that is no longer valid. 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. Sewickley Academy Interim Head of School Ashley Birtwell. The Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees Needs to Commit to the Following: Does Sewickley Academy Teach Critical Race Theory? "Learning for Justice supports the educational outcomes that we want for our students. concerns might be." 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. 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. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Please let us know how we can help. 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. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Borocampusrec. Birtwell said that 583 students were enrolled at the school for the 2020-21 school year. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users Western PA. College & university. "No. Edinboro University Psychology Department. 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 TV Q&A: Is a Pittsburgher writing for CBSs East New York? Sewickley Academy .Celebrates differences, and educates students that every individual is a valued member of our community." 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. 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. Paid Advertisement We need this information to communicate and engage with each other effectively. Press Release. 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. to see our latest opportunities and sign-up to volunteer. Join the Concerned Sewickley Parents and sign the petition at https://concernedsewickleyparents.org As of June, the schools internal forecasts for enrollment in fall 2021 would be 530 students, a 34% decline from 2002 when the school was last at full capacity, she wrote in the letter. While Nesmith remembers his years at Sewickley Academy fondly, he also recognizes the longstanding issues that Sewickley Academy has with race. A group of families, alumni and allies of made up of multiple Concerned Sewickley Parents The changes ban Social Justice and unsubstantiated theories of any kind, including but not limited to Holocaust Denial Theory, 9/11 Theory, The 1610 Project, and critical race theory, incorrectly referring to the 1619 Project, which reframes U.S. history through the lens of slavery and Black Americans contributions. See All www.sewickleyacademy.org. Sewickley Academy 4/2020 Communication. Low enrollment was one of the reasons Birtwell cited as an influence for the leadership changes that occurred July 21. Administration cites "mutual separation." More. The post Critical race theory protests in Pgh-area schools have ties to GOP organizing, right-wing media appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star . Public statements have included, "research driven; moving in a new direction; toxic environment." TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. If they want to make sure we teach both sides, and allow excuses. Sewickley Academy received very We have witnessed so much of this over the years, beginning with our four children who completed 43 student-years at the academy all flourished thereafter, each in their own way. Veteran Senior School teachers are PITTSBURGH Earlier this year, critical race theory got its moment in the right-wing media spotlight. 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. There is a long list of retired Heads of School who would 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. What Is Happening at Sewickley Academy Affects The Whole Community 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. In April 2021, however, parents at Sewickley Academy received an email about the plan. Somerset Township, Eighty Four, PA. and Parents and Community Partners) were involved in the development of EnVision24 and the accompanying Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Social Justice (DEI-SJ) Plan. The sudden dismissal of four administrators and one teacher each one committed to a strategic diversity plan has kindled the controversy over the teaching of the impact of race and discrimination in historical events. June 4th school wide communication. 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. These standards are in practice at comparable independent schools in 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. Secondly, please consider the credibility of your demands. In this conversation. Our Advisory Committee reviews all comments, and we will not share them publicly unless you direct us to do so . represent the makeup of the student body at Sewickley Academy Contact Us - Sewickley Parents Organization We Are Stronger Together Please join our email list by completing the form. Edinboro Chi Alpha. 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.. Concerned Sewickley Parents. 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. Teachers come under pressure as politicians, parents battle over critical race theory. 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.. When Inequality Exists In One Area of a Community, It Affects the Whole Community 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. We are concerned that this is a hostile environment and our students will be ostracized," the group said. Photos. Whoever you are, whatever you love, wherever you want to go, learning and self-discovery take place here. Send a message to info@sewickleyparents.org Become A Member The parents of 10 26 Veteran Senior School teachers are considering leaving Sewickley Academy students are considering leaving Sewickley Academy Go to concernedsewickleyparents.org for survey Last week, The Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) presented Sewickley Academy with multiple formal complaints submitted by various constituents. In other school districts, people with similar connections are trying to join school boards. If you have a personal story you wish to share, please submit a comment below. Home. Birtwell said the dwindling student enrollment has prompted existing students to leave for other schools, which affects the student experience. Sewickley Academy considering leaving At least one of Sprouls children attended Clarion-Limestone High School , but the youngest of Sprouls children graduated high school more than 10 years ago. students are considering leaving We are a Not for Profit organization. And the Vice President of the Charles Koch Foundation penned a Letter to the Editor in the Chronicle of Higher Education in May criticizing efforts to pass anti-CRT legislation. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users Three were people of color. 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. CONCERNED 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. Whether we agree or disagree is not the point. In short, the scope and scale of the problems faced by our school required the fresh perspective of new leadership, Birtwell said. Videos. 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. Administration cites "mutual separation." Faculty report a substantial decrease in morale Learn the Timeline: Youth Connect conducts a series of community forums where speakers are brought in to . 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. 7/1/21 - 18 year Head of School is terminated effective immediately. 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. Concerned Sewickley Parents, Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Concerned Sewickley Parents. Become a member and together we can make a positive, lasting impact on Sewickley Academy. Religious Organization. To learn more about this business and its most recent offers. Now, much of right-wing media has moved on to protesting mask mandates in schools and criticizing the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other; if we are to succeed. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users Reviews. TV Q&A: Is a Pittsburgher writing for CBSs East New York? 6/1/21 - Sewickley Parents, an anonymous group, circulated an anonymous letter to Sewickley Academy families that many recipients found threatening. This ad was originally published on this date and may contain an offer that is no longer valid. 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. 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