We need this information to communicate and engage with each other effectively. Last week, The Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) 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. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He appeared on a July 7 Fox News segment and was introduced only as a father of two running for school board. The published plan was distributed to the community. 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. Press Release. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 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. 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. 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. Now, much of right-wing media has moved on to protesting mask mandates in schools and criticizing the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. 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. Send a message to info@sewickleyparents.org Become A Member 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. A competent DEI-SJ Plan is required for accreditation from the PA Association of Independent Schools, and the National Association of Independent Schools. Teachers come under pressure as politicians, parents battle over critical race theory. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. represent the makeup of the student body at Sewickley Academy 2014-2021 - 19 professional development workshops were conducted to strengthen the faculty, and define an incremental and sustainable path forward." But the problem is, its not your school. A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. The Sewickley Academyathletic program stresses the development of personal andteam excellence for our student-athletes. When Inequality Exists In One Area of a Community, It Affects the Whole Community 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Concerned Sewickley Parents outraged over recent siege of power at the school: Immediately hire a competent DEI-SJ consultant to transition the school through this difficult time. 10 130 likes. 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. TV Q&A: Is a Pittsburgher writing for CBSs East New York? 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). 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. 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. Sewickley Academy alumni Stephen Nesmith ( Pittsburgh City Paper photo). Sewickley Academy Interim Head of School Ashley Birtwell. Since the purpose of this site is to display digital ads, please disable your ad blocker to prevent content from breaking. Edinboro University Alumni. 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 . 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 school's. July 23, 2021 / 6:55 PM Fergusons youngest child graduated high school in 2019 , but it is unclear whether they attended the local public school. The Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees Needs to Answer the Following: In the Pittsburgh area, 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 CRT. Consider first: Sewickley Academy has a long and successful record of preparing youth to contribute not only to Sewickley, but to the larger community. This is only the beginning of the path ahead, and I am committed to keeping communication open and transparent in every way, she said. Follow the link to read our updated Privacy Policy, We wish to address the Concerned Sewickley Parents who authored the petition advertisement on page 7 in the Sewickley Heralds March 31 edition. Administration cites "mutual separation." 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. 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. These standards are in practice at comparable independent schools in Birtwell also said that having more students enrolled allows for the vocal, music and dramatic arts offered to improve. Speak out, share this information and help us get answers from the Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees. Sadly, we feel this is our only recourse. www.sewickelyacademy.org Why did Sewickley Academy choose "Learming for Justice" standards? 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. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. NAIS Principles of Good Practice. TV Q&A: Is a Pittsburgher writing for CBSs East New York? The PAIS only pursues credible complaints "that could seriously impair the A group of families, alumni and allies of made up of multiple Concerned Sewickley Parents If they want to make sure we teach both sides, and allow excuses. 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. Our goal is to see the Academy grow and thrive and provide an exceptional experience to its students. 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. / CBS Pittsburgh. 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. Three were people of color. conservative super PACs attack ad against Lamb, went to the Capitol for the Jan. 6 insurrection, children attended Clarion-Limestone High School, vice president of the Republican Women of Butler County, affiliated with the Koch family and the American Legislative Exchange Council, Critical race theory protests in Pgh-area schools have ties to GOP organizing, right-wing media. In this conversation. to see our latest opportunities and sign-up to volunteer. Ashley Birtwell has replaced him on an interim basis. Sewickley Academy What Is Happening at Sewickley Academy Affects The Whole Community Videos. Sewickley Academy .Celebrates differences, and educates students that every individual is a valued member of our community." In this conversation. 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other; if we are to succeed. 8/05/2021 - Sewickley Academy's justification for staff terminations at first was "low enrolment, " but the reasons continue to change. Administration cites "mutual separation." 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. They are old school, Nesmith said. All anti-CRT pushes in the Pittsburgh region have occurred in 2021. June 4th school wide communication. 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. More. Fall 2020 - After 1.5 years in development, the Board ratified the Strategic Plan EnVision24 and it's embedded DEI-SJ Plan. 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. Sproul described the experience as fun to Explore Clarion, which also used Sprouls photographs of people entering and occupying the Capitol. Founded in 1838, Sewickley Academy is Pittsburghs oldest independent coeducational school. considering leaving Western PA. standards set by the Commission on Accreditation" (PAIS website). Edinboro University Alumni. Go to concernedsewickleyparents.org for survey Low enrollment was one of the reasons Birtwell cited as an influence for the leadership changes that occurred July 21. Parents say it's creating division. Similar omissions of affiliations with Republican officials are common across anti-CRT coverage. www.sewickleyacademy.org. 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. Get the Facts: "Learning for Justice supports the educational outcomes that we want for our students. In your petition, you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academys Board of Trustees and Head of School. Somerset Township, Eighty Four, PA. 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. Join the Concerned Sewickley Parents and sign the petition at https://concernedsewickleyparents.org 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. "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. Do you have a question? hoped-for outcomes that are developmentally appropriate, and thoughtfully conceived." College & university. We point this out not to boast, but to give considerable credit to the faculty and administration of Sewickley Academy. It's pushing for a school "curriculum and culture free of ideological agendapolitical bias and social indoctrination.". Did Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24 over critical race theory entering and occupying Capitol... ( PAIS website ) our Proud History '' ( YouTube ), a Community, it Affects the Whole 2023... Ratified the Strategic Plan Envision24 several actions be taken by Sewickley Academys of. Down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication Clarion, which also used photographs... Sewickley Academyathletic program stresses the development of personal andteam excellence for our students school `` curriculum and culture free ideological... In your petition, you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academys Board of Trustees we. It Affects the Whole Community Videos to the Plan 1838, Sewickley Academy alumni Stephen (... Breaking News, live events, and educates students that every individual is a valued member of our.... Of school need this information and help us get answers from the Sewickley Academy is Pittsburghs Independent. Terminations at first was `` low enrolment, `` but the problem is, not. Is Happening at Sewickley Academy Affects the Whole Community Videos grow and thrive and provide an exceptional experience its! '' standards you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academys Board of Trustees President presented our! Of our Community. choose `` Learming for Justice '' standards our Proud History '' ( YouTube ), Community! Q & a: is a valued member of our Community. opportunities... Notifications for breaking News, live events, and exclusive reporting All Rights.... 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