SFUSD Responds to Hate and Intolerance in Schools
You may have missed it, but last year, as one of their final acts as of 2016, Commissioners Matt Haney and Shamann Walton proposed an important resolution calling on the superintendent to define clear protocols for schools in addressing hate and bias in our schools, and provide more support for site staff in creating safe and inclusive learning environments for all students.
While this is a continuation of the district’s ongoing work since it outlined “access and equity” as one of the three main goals of its Strategic Plan, many years ago, it is also a response to the rise in hate speech and bias related incidents being witnessed in our schools across our nation as a result of Trump’s election.
Thank you to all our Board members for unanimously approving this important resolution!
The work continues…
As anyone involved in social justice work knows, this work is ongoing. No system (or person) will ever be perfect. The work will never stop…
Nonetheless, I am hopeful we can move farther “beyond the talk” (as the district proposed many years ago) to tangible, measurable actions, that will ensure all our kids and families feel they are valued and respected members of our school communities. Even though we have come a long way in this regard, since I first became an educator over 20 years ago, there is still much work to be done.
As the Interim Superintendent, Myong Leigh, wrote in a letter to the SFUSD community last fall:
“We believe strongly in social justice, which means we fight against systemic oppression. We stand up for those who are vulnerable and hope others will do so for us when we need them. We put students’ needs first, and we will protect them now.”
It will “take a village” as the African saying goes to ensure this resolution is fully SFUSD Responds to Hate and Intolerance in Schools - SF Public School MomSF Public School Mom: