Concerned Sewickley Parents outraged over recent siege of power at the school; dismissal of key administrators and faculty, and the diminution of the equity and Inclusion plan. Their education model works. Consider first: Sewickley Academy has a long and successful record of preparing youth to contribute not only to Sewickley, but to the larger community. / CBS Pittsburgh. As parents and alumni, our mission is to be engaged with Sewickley Academy. In your petition, you demand that several. Sewickley Academy alumni Stephen Nesmith ( Pittsburgh City Paper photo). Home and School membership include all parents, legal guardians, and other persons standing in loco parentis with a child or children enrolled and attending Sewickley Academy, as well as all members of the faculty, staff, and administration of Sewickley Academy. Ashley Birtwell has replaced him on an interim basis. Although the school does not teach critical race theory, the school has severed ties with outgoing head of school Kolia O'Connor, who had adopted a strategic plan called EnVision 2024 calling for equity, inclusion and social justice initiatives. The school has had to reduce the number of athletic teams and eliminate some sports over the years. And theyre not progressive. Sadly, we feel this is our only recourse. O Appoint an entirely new Board of Trustees that includes experienced educators who 2014-2021 - 19 professional development workshops were conducted to strengthen the faculty, and define an incremental and sustainable path forward." Please let us know how we can help. We would like to see the following actions implemented immediately: We are a Not for Profit organization. concerns might be." Photos. The Facebook page shared anti-CRT content as far back as April 2021, claiming the Biden administration want[s] to rewrite American history.. Please see www.concernedsewickleyparents.org for details. The African American Culture club is the only club where the students were not allowed to Paid Advertisement CONCERNED SE W ICKLEY PARENTS What Is Happening at Sewickley Academy Affects The Whole Community The Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees Needs to Answer the Following: Why Were Six Senior Leaders Fired (Including All Of The (3) Most Senior Leaders Of Color)? Members plan to meet with the administration Friday at 1:00 pm to address the unexpected and numerous changes immediately before the start. Administration cites "mutual separation." College & university. Paid Advertisement But a spokesperson for a group now calling itself Concerned Sewickley Parents said they'll meet with Birtwell next week to demand the. 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. 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 schools recent mission to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice measures. Now, much of right-wing media has moved on to protesting mask mandates in schools and criticizing the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. In your petition, you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academy's Board of Trustees and Head of School. Sewickley Academy received very Will the Academy Confirm Today That They Intend to Move Forward With the Original DEI-SJ Plan as Adopted/Ratified in April 2021? 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 Send a message to info@sewickleyparents.org Become A Member These connections indicate that the anti-CRT pushes in the Pittsburgh area, like those in other regions across the country, while having some connections to parents of school children, appear to be mostly driven by right-wing officials and media rather than the organic desire of concerned parents. represent the makeup of the student body at Sewickley Academy Search for a new Assistant Head of School with experience and qualification In this conversation. Religious Organization. When Inequality Exists In One Area of a Community, It Affects the Whole Community Sewickley Academy Interim Head of School Ashley Birtwell. 8/05/2021 - Sewickley Academy's justification for staff terminations at first was "low enrolment, " but the reasons continue to change. We promise we will never sell your information or spam your email. In recent weeks, Sewickley Academy settled the federal discrimination lawsuit filed by A competent DEI-SJ Plan is required for accreditation from the PA Association of Independent Schools, and the National Association of Independent Schools. "2020/2021 Enrollment is the highest it's been in three years." April 2021 - The Board of Trustees President presented "Our Proud History" (YouTube), a community introduction to the plan. 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. O An immediate replacement of the current Interim Head of School with one who has 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. College & university. To learn more about this business and its most recent offers. 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. Paid Advertisement Sewickley Academy select their own faculty sponsors. I think the Academy has this perception of how they see themselves. 26 We seek to ensure that Sewickley Academy provides academic excellence in a diverse environment, attracts, retains, and celebrates the best faculty in the country, and provides a curriculum and culture free of ideological agendas. 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. More. Birtwell said the dwindling student enrollment has prompted existing students to leave for other schools, which affects the student experience. 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 foundation for the academy is on a strong Republican, white foundation, and they are old fashioned. The school has been experiencing a steady decline in enrollment since 2002, when it had 804 students. 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. 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 it. 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. 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. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. O Search for a new Head of DEISJ with experience and qualifications Why Did Two People Of Color On The Board of Trustees Suddenly Resign? 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. A group of families, alumni and allies of made up of multiple Concerned Sewickley Parents Under the former head of school, some parents expressed concern about the current curriculum. "No. Fergusons youngest child graduated high school in 2019 , but it is unclear whether they attended the local public school. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users The PAIS only pursues credible complaints "that could seriously impair the quality and effectiveness of a school's program and are in conflict with the standards set by the Commission on Accreditation" (PAIS website). Somerset Township, Eighty Four, PA. We point this out not to boast, but to give considerable credit to the faculty and administration of Sewickley Academy. Our Advisory Committee reviews all comments, and we will not share them publicly unless you direct us to do so . 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. Religious Organization. Academic Excellence on the Decline? 130 likes. 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 . Birtwell also said that having more students enrolled allows for the vocal, music and dramatic arts offered to improve. Recently, the administration enacted practices that prohibited teachers from participating in Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users What Is Happening at Sewickley Academy Affects The Whole Community Sadly, we feel this is our only recourse. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. Since the purpose of this site is to display digital ads, please disable your ad blocker to prevent content from breaking. 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. Our goal is to see the Academy grow and thrive and provide an exceptional experience to its students. Academy graduates join a network of more than 4,000 alumni across the globe. 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. Does Sewickley Academy Teach Critical Race Theory? Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users The standards reflect a set of 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. A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. 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. 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. All anti-CRT pushes in the Pittsburgh region have occurred in 2021. In an email to Pittsburgh City Paper, she called critical race theory racist itself, based on an excerpt from Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalisms Looming Catastrophe by Voddie T. Baucham, who has collaborated with the Koch-funded Heritage Foundation. Kimberly Rooney is a reporter for Pittsburgh City Paper, where this story first appeared . But a spokesperson for a group now calling itself Concerned Sewickley Parents said they'll meet with Birtwell next week to demand the administrators' reinstatement. To support the mission of Sewickley Academy, Home and School hold four major fundraisers each year. While these small-scale, local campaigns attempt to make anti-CRT actions appear non-partisan and organic born from individual reflection and necessity many of the people leading these campaigns have ties to Republican elected officials and cite or reference right-wing media sources. Edinboro University Psychology Department. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. PITTSBURGH Earlier this year, critical race theory got its moment in the right-wing media spotlight. Enrollment is like a report card of satisfaction, and Sewickley Academy has been missing the mark, Birtwell said. www.sewickelyacademy.org College & university. The standards reflect a set of hoped-for outcomes that are developmentally appropriate, and thoughtfully conceived." Two more teachers have since left the school, as well as many minority families. Dr. Douglas Leeks (terms not disclosed) 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. 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." "Learning for Justice supports the educational outcomes that we want for our students. Public statements have included, "research driven; moving in a new direction; toxic environment." Learn the Timeline: Our goal is to see the Academy grow and thrive and provide an exceptional experience to its students. Videos. 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. 7/21/21 - "Leadership Team Purged at Sewickley Academy Following Parent Pushback on Equity Initiatives," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In April 2021, however, parents at Sewickley Academy received an email about the plan. We are Parents of children that attend the Academy, and we are Alumni of Sewickley Academy who are passionate and committed to its long-term success. For these reasons, pause to consider your demands. Rather, we are unaware of any private school successfully launching such a dramatic change in its educational focus. - Frederick Douglas, North Star, December 3, 1847 Parents say it's creating division. 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. 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 school's plans for its. If they want to make sure we teach both sides, and allow excuses. Odoms son is in seventh grade at Sewickley Academy and has attended the school since he was in second grade. 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. Teachers come under pressure as politicians, parents battle over critical race theory. The parents of Join the Cause for a Better Future (What You Can Do): In other school districts, people with similar connections are trying to join school boards. Sponsors were assigned by the administration If you are a parent that has or has had children at Sewickley Academy or if you attended the academy, please join us. 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. Concerned Sewickley Parents. Edinboro University Alumni. The Home and School Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization with a purpose to support the education of the children at Sewickley Academy by fostering relationships among parents, faculty, and the administration. Fall 2020 - After 1.5 years in development, the Board ratified the Strategic Plan EnVision24 and it's embedded DEI-SJ Plan. The published plan was distributed to the community. Edinboro Chi Alpha. Public statements have included, "research driven; moving in a new To learn more about this business and its most recent offers. Finally, Mars Area School District school board member Dayle Ferguson, who introduced a proposal that unanimously passed banning critical race theory, has similar ties to right-wing activity. Is Sewickley Academy's We studied your demands.. Fall 2020 - After 1.5 years in development, the Board ratified the Strategic Plan EnVision24 and it's embedded DEI-SJ Plan. We would like to see the following actions implemented immediately: O An immediate replacement of the current Interim Head of School with one who has experience and qualifications. 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. Founded in 1838, Sewickley Academy is Pittsburghs oldest independent coeducational school. hold these positions for the very first time This ad was originally published on this date and may contain an offer that is no longer valid. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users Paid for by concernedsewickleyparents.org Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. TV Q&A: Is a Pittsburgher writing for CBSs East New York? Contact Us - Sewickley Parents Organization We Are Stronger Together Please join our email list by completing the form. We wish to address the Concerned Sewickley Parents who authored the petition advertisement on page 7 in the Sewickley Herald's March 31 edition. A report card of satisfaction, and allow excuses existing students to leave for other schools which. 1838, Sewickley Academy alumni Stephen Nesmith ( Pittsburgh City Paper photo ) since 2002 when... Own faculty sponsors since the purpose of this site is to display digital ads, Please disable ad! Following Parent Pushback on Equity Initiatives, '' Pittsburgh Post-Gazette blocker to prevent content from breaking mandates schools. 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