Secondly, please consider the credibility of your demands. 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. Whoever you are, whatever you love, wherever you want to go, learning and self-discovery take place here. Parents say it's creating division. 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. Edinboro University Alumni. We're concerned about the impact this will have on the teaching of history and race. Sponsors were assigned by the administration In recent weeks, Sewickley Academy settled the federal discrimination lawsuit filed by Dr. Douglas Leeks (terms not disclosed) The Concerned Sewickley Parent Group would prefer not to put this information in an ad. "Learning for Justice supports the educational outcomes that we want for our students. 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 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. Public statements have included, "research driven; moving in a new Association Independent Schools (Accreditor) 8/05/2021 - Sewickley Academy's justification for staff terminations at first was "low enrolment, " but the reasons continue to change. Is Sewickley Academy's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, Grants for Innovative Frameworks in Teaching, Instructional Technology Upgrades including iPads for all faculty members,Wireless Network Expansion, Robotics. Edinboro Chi Alpha. Please let us know how we can help. 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.. Enrollment is like a report card of satisfaction, and Sewickley Academy has been missing the mark, Birtwell said. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Borocampusrec. April 2021 - The Board of Trustees President presented "Our Proud History" (YouTube), a community introduction to the plan. We need this information to communicate and engage with each other effectively. Sewickley Academy alumni Stephen Nesmith ( Pittsburgh City Paper photo). He appeared on a July 7 Fox News segment and was introduced only as a father of two running for school board. In your petition, you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academy's Board of Trustees and Head of School. In this conversation. Two more teachers have since left the school, as well as many minority families. 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. There is a long list of retired Heads of School who would 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. Does Sewickley Academy Teach Critical Race Theory? Paid Advertisement Is Sewickley Academy's Academic Excellence on the Decline? / CBS Pittsburgh. 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. "Parents, community groups upset over staffing changes at Sewickley Academy https://t.co/yTIw8C5PJv" Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users 130 likes. www.sewickelyacademy.org Concerned Sewickley Parents About See all We are a Not for Profit organization. Paid Advertisement The post Critical race theory protests in Pgh-area schools have ties to GOP organizing, right-wing media appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Press Release. And theyre not progressive. "Learning for Justice supports the educational outcomes that we want for our students. If they want to make sure we teach both sides, and allow excuses. We studied your demands.. 2014-2021 - 19 professional development workshops were conducted to strengthen the faculty, and define an incremental and sustainable path forward." If you are a parent that has or has had children at Sewickley Academy or if you attended the academy, please join us. In your petition, you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academys Board of Trustees and Head of School. Get the Facts: Does Sewickley Academy Teach Critical Race Theory? If the Sewickley Parents Organization wants to make sure their children aren't ever confronted with uncomfortable topics, fine. 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). 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. Over 150 individuals from the Sewickley Community (Board of Trustees; Faculty and Staff representatives; Student Leaders; 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. Sewickley Academy 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." There are 500 other constituents in the school. "2020/2021 Enrollment is the highest it's been in three years." 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. 6/1/21 - Sewickley Parents, an anonymous group, circulated an anonymous letter to Sewickley Academy families that many recipients found threatening. experience and qualifications. - Frederick Douglas, North Star, December 3, 1847 All anti-CRT pushes in the Pittsburgh region have occurred in 2021. 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. be willing and qualified to help during this transition 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. Sewickley Academy Interim Head of School Ashley Birtwell. Home. The top three leadership positions at Sewickley Academy are occupied by individuals who Fall 2020 - After 1.5 years in development, the Board ratified the Strategic Plan EnVision24 and it's embedded DEI-SJ Plan. O An immediate replacement of the current Interim Head of School with one who has Please enter valid email address to continue. Sewickley Academy is an independent, private school, giving parents referred to by Odom as stakeholders more influence over the schools actions. TV Q&A: Is a Pittsburgher writing for CBSs East New York? June 4th school wide communication. CONCERNED Paid Advertisement Contact Us - Sewickley Parents Organization We Are Stronger Together Please join our email list by completing the form. Founded in 1838, Sewickley Academy is Pittsburghs oldest independent coeducational school. Ashley Birtwell began as the interim head of school effective June 25, and less than one month later on July 21, she fired the five administrators and one teacher, three of whom were Black. We would like to see the following actions implemented immediately: 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. Presenting herself as an independently concerned constituent, she makes no mention of working for then-Republican state Rep. Eli Evankovich. 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. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. Photos. Youth Connect conducts a series of community forums where speakers are brought in to . Similar omissions of affiliations with Republican officials are common across anti-CRT coverage. This ad was originally published on this date and may contain an offer that is no longer valid. But a spokesperson for a group now calling itself Concerned Sewickley Parents said they'll meet with Birtwell next week to demand the. Their education model works. 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. 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 . We are a Not for Profit organization. Under the former head of school, some parents expressed concern about the current curriculum. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. represent the makeup of the student body at Sewickley Academy Learn the Timeline: 2014-2021 - 19 professional development workshops were conducted to strengthen the faculty, and define an incremental and sustainable path forward." 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. O National search for a new Head of School with experience and qualifications The school has had to reduce the number of athletic teams and eliminate some sports over the years. Why Were Six Senior Leaders Fired (Including All Of The (3) Most Senior Leaders Of Color)? Sadly, we feel this is our only recourse. READ: Sewickley Academy Announces Changes in Leadership, First published on July 23, 2021 / 6:55 PM. Sewickley Academy The parents of In other school districts, people with similar connections are trying to join school boards. "2020/2021 Enrollment is the highest it's been in three years." Sponsors were assigned by the administration In this conversation. 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. Three were people of color. Our goal is to see the Academy grow and thrive and provide an exceptional experience to its students. Birtwell said the dwindling student enrollment has prompted existing students to leave for other schools, which affects the student experience. Academic Excellence on the Decline? These standards are in practice at comparable independent schools in This mission of restoring Sewickley Academy and making it better than ever is critical to our children and community, and we will not fail, she said. 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 . Our objective is to shine a spotlight on our childrens experiences at Sewickley Academy. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users 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. 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. We wish to address the Concerned Sewickley Parents who authored the petition advertisement on page 7 in the Sewickley Herald's March 31 edition. 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. 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The standards reflect a set of This ad was originally published on this date and may contain an offer that is no longer valid. Sewickley Academy received very high marks in 2019 for it's DEI-SJ plan. Somerset Township, Eighty Four, PA. Commit to all the items listed in the petition at https://concernedsewickleyparents.org TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. Vento's Pizza, home of 'Franco's Italian Army,' to close, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source, met with a concerned group of parents July 30. leadership changes that occurred July 21. Speak out, share this information and help us get answers from the Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees. 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. Sewickley Academy 4/2020 Communication. 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 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? 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