Paid for by ConcernedSewickleyParents.org student led clubs, specifically the African American Culture club O An immediate replacement of the current Interim Head of School with one who has Somerset Township, Eighty Four, PA. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "No. The foundation for the academy is on a strong Republican, white foundation, and they are old fashioned. 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 Why Did Two People Of Color On The Board of Trustees Suddenly Resign? However, organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and the American Legislative Council, which receive large sums of money from Koch-related networks , held a webinar attacking critical race theory in December 2020 then also referred to as critical theory. 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. 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. We studied your demands.. 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. 8/05/2021 - Sewickley Academy's justification for staff terminations at first was "low enrolment, " but the reasons continue to change. Under the former head of school, some parents expressed concern about the current curriculum. 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. To support the mission of Sewickley Academy, Home and School hold four major fundraisers each year. "Parents, community groups upset over staffing changes at Sewickley Academy https://t.co/yTIw8C5PJv" Members plan to meet with the administration Friday at 1:00 pm to address the unexpected and numerous changes immediately before the start. hoped-for outcomes that are developmentally appropriate, and thoughtfully conceived." 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. We wish to address the Concerned Sewickley Parents who authored the petition advertisement on page 7 in the Sewickley Herald's March 31 edition. Sewickley Academy 4/2020 Communication. "2020/2021 Enrollment is the highest it's been in three years." 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. April 2021 - The Board of Trustees President presented "Our Proud History" (YouTube), a community introduction to the plan. Press Release. presented Sewickley Academy with multiple formal complaints Public statements have included, "research driven; moving in a new direction; toxic environment." 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. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Borocampusrec. We wish to address the Concerned Sewickley Parents who authored the petition advertisement on page 7 in the Sewickley Herald's March 31 edition. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Learning for Justice supports the educational outcomes that we want for our students. College & university. Concerned Sewickley Parents. O Search for a new Head of Senior School with experience and qualifications Religious Organization. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. 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. 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. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, Sewickley councilman featured in Super Bowl ad, Blackhawk steps up, drops rival Quaker Valley to return to WPIAL championship game, In brief: Chamber leaders announced, kindergarten registration and more around Sewickley, Seniors help Quaker Valley girls swim team capture 4th straight section title, Sewickley area real estate transactions for the week of Feb. 26, 2023, GZA, Donnie Iris, John Mayer among top concerts to see around Pittsburgh in March, How officials cracked case of eyedrops that blinded people. 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. Whether we agree or disagree is not the point. Through these volunteer efforts, our funds are used to enhance student life and support faculty, staff, and administration of Sewickley Academy: Interested in volunteering with Sewickley Academy's Home and School Association? We are a Not for Profit organization. 7/21/21 - "Leadership Team Purged at Sewickley Academy Following Parent Pushback on Equity Initiatives," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sewickley Academy .Celebrates differences, and educates students that every individual is a valued member of our community." Photos. In your petition, you demand that several. A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. Edinboro University Alumni. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users Concerned Sewickley Parents. A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. Ferguson is also the vice president of the Republican Women of Butler County , which shares election truther articles as well as anti-Joe Biden, anti-lockdown posts, and content from Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit that targets high school and college-age people and is affiliated with the Koch family and the American Legislative Exchange Council . 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." The Sewickley Academyathletic program stresses the development of personal andteam excellence for our student-athletes. We are concerned that this is a hostile environment and our students will be ostracized," the group said. June 4th school wide communication. considering leaving Our goal is to grow and maintain an active group of members that collectively can support Sewickley Academy. Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. 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. In doing so, we recognize the passion and beliefs driving your insistence that the school make these radical changes. Immediately hire a competent DEI-SJ consultant to transition the school through this difficult time. Nesmith attended Sewickley Academy from 1994-98 and made a YouTube video and several Facebook posts in response, during which he expressed his disgust, disappointment, and anger with the events that unfolded. More. 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. Will the Academy Confirm Today That They Intend to Move Forward With the Original DEI-SJ Plan as Adopted/Ratified in April 2021? 7/1/21 - 18 year Head of School is terminated effective immediately. Videos. 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.. 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. to see our latest opportunities and sign-up to volunteer. 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)? 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Last week, The Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) The PAIS only pursues credible complaints "that could seriously impair the Hi! During the school board meeting, she acknowledged that the divide over critical race theory is a political issue while also stating her belief that schools should provide curricula free of any political or ideological agenda. Ciruccis two children and one foster child have attended Gateway High School. 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 . Sewickley Academy College & university. Login to the Home and School Resource Board on. Birtwell said that 583 students were enrolled at the school for the 2020-21 school year. Sproul also went to the Capitol for the Jan. 6 insurrection to support the right-wing conspiracy theory that the 2020 election results were tampered with to undermine former President Donald Trump. While Nesmith remembers his years at Sewickley Academy fondly, he also recognizes the longstanding issues that Sewickley Academy has with race. Get the Facts: 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. 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. Learn the Timeline: 2014-2021 - 19 professional development workshops were conducted to strengthen the faculty, and define an incremental and sustainable path forward." Learn the Timeline: In this conversation. Similar omissions of affiliations with Republican officials are common across anti-CRT coverage. 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. 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. 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. 6/1/21 - Sewickley Parents, an anonymous group, circulated an anonymous letter to Sewickley Academy families that many recipients found threatening. 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. Concerned Sewickley Parents @sewickleyparent Joined July 2021 Tweets 2021 Twitter About Help Center Terms Privacy policy Cookies Ads info Dismiss Close Previous Next Close Go to a person's profile Saved searches Remove In this conversation Verified accountProtected Tweets @ Suggested users 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 The top three leadership positions at Sewickley Academy are occupied by individuals who The parents of Academy graduates join a network of more than 4,000 alumni across the globe. 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. Our Advisory Committee reviews all comments, and we will not share them publicly unless you direct us to do so . Fergusons youngest child graduated high school in 2019 , but it is unclear whether they attended the local public school. We wish to address the Concerned Sewickley Parents who authored the petition advertisement on page 7 in the Sewickley Heralds March 31 edition. concerns might be." Consider first: Sewickley Academy has a long and successful record of preparing youth to contribute not only to Sewickley, but to the larger community. 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. O Search for a new Head of DEISJ with experience and qualifications We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other; if we are to succeed. Sewickley Academy 4/2020 Communication. Sadly, we feel this is our only recourse. 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. Speak out, share this information and help us get answers from the Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees. 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. students are considering leaving 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. 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