Why Did Two People Of Color On The Board of Trustees Suddenly Resign? If you have a personal story you wish to share, please submit a comment below. Our objective is to shine a spotlight on our childrens experiences at Sewickley Academy. Stephen Nesmith is one of many Sewickley Academy alumni who are upset about the schools actions. A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. Reviews. This ad was originally published on this date and may contain an offer that is no longer valid. Theyre not changing. We're concerned about the impact this will have on the teaching of history and race. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Low enrollment was one of the reasons Birtwell cited as an influence for the leadership changes that occurred July 21. Concerned Sewickley Parents. 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. Sproul described the experience as fun to Explore Clarion, which also used Sprouls photographs of people entering and occupying the Capitol. 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. College & university. College & university. The Interim Head of School at Sewickley Academy, Ashley Birtwell, sent out a letter Aug. 4 to parents addressing the recent turmoil of events that have occurred at Sewickley Academy over the past six weeks. Get the Facts: Teachers come under pressure as politicians, parents battle over critical race theory. 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. Sewickley Academy 4/2020 Communication. READ: Sewickley Academy Announces Changes in Leadership, First published on July 23, 2021 / 6:55 PM. The Parent Programming Chair actively participates with Youth Connect, a group of concerned adults from a variety of schools and organizations in the Sewickley area who are working to provide the information, resources, and support our young people need to avoid risky behaviors and enjoy their teen years. CONCERNED In this conversation. In this conversation. Birtwell also said that having more students enrolled allows for the vocal, music and dramatic arts offered to improve. www.sewickleyacademy.org. Two more teachers have since left the school, as well as many minority families. We would like to see the following actions implemented immediately: 8/05/2021 - Sewickley Academy's justification for staff terminations at first was "low enrolment, " but the reasons continue to change. 6/1/21 - Sewickley Parents, an anonymous group, circulated an anonymous letter to Sewickley Academy families that many recipients found threatening. In this conversation. Sewickley Academy .Celebrates differences, and educates students that every individual is a valued member of our community." 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 Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users We wish to address the Concerned Sewickley Parents who authored the petition advertisement on page 7 in the Sewickley Herald's March 31 edition. The school has had to reduce the number of athletic teams and eliminate some sports over the years. Sadly, we feel this is our only recourse. 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. In your petition, you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academy's Board of Trustees and Head of School. In this conversation. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other; if we are to succeed. 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 . Ashley Birtwell has replaced him on an interim basis. He appeared on a July 7 Fox News segment and was introduced only as a father of two running for school board. 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. 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 Sewickley Academy received very hold these positions for the very first time 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. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 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. Paid Advertisement Is Sewickley Academy's Academic Excellence on the Decline? 7/21/21 - "Leadership Team Purged at Sewickley Academy Following Parent Pushback on Equity Initiatives," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. When Inequality Exists In One Area of a Community, It Affects the Whole Community 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. experience and qualifications. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Faculty report a substantial decrease in morale 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. quality and effectiveness of a school's program and are in conflict with the Join the Cause for a Better Future (What You Can Do): The Sewickley Academyathletic program stresses the development of personal andteam excellence for our student-athletes. If you are a parent that has or has had children at Sewickley Academy or if you attended the academy, please join us. College & university. 26 Please see www.concernedsewickleyparents.org for details. 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. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Borocampusrec. Sewickley Academy received very high marks in 2019 for it's DEI-SJ plan. Consider first: Sewickley Academy has a long and successful record of preparing youth to contribute not only to Sewickley, but to the larger community. 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.. Birtwell said that 583 students were enrolled at the school for the 2020-21 school year. "The firings were retaliatory against anyone in support of diversity in education and plans to attract recruit and retain people of color. Press Release. College & university. Our goal is to grow and maintain an active group of members that collectively can support Sewickley Academy. Concerned Sewickley Parents, Sewickley, Pennsylvania. - Frederick Douglas, North Star, December 3, 1847 Paid for by ConcernedSewickleyParents.org. 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. We point this out not to boast, but to give considerable credit to the faculty and administration of Sewickley Academy. The Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees Needs to Commit to the Following: Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. There are 500 other constituents in the school. 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. Birtwell said the dwindling student enrollment has prompted existing students to leave for other schools, which affects the student experience. 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. Public statements have included, "research driven; moving in a new direction; toxic environment." Our overriding reaction, however, is to urge you to reconsider. The post Critical race theory protests in Pgh-area schools have ties to GOP organizing, right-wing media appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. The top three leadership positions at Sewickley Academy are occupied by individuals who 7/21/21 - "Leadership Team Purged at Sewickley Academy Following Parent Pushback on Equity Initiatives," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Somerset Township, Eighty Four, PA. Albums. Edinboro University Alumni. 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. Fall 2020 - After 1.5 years in development, the Board ratified the Strategic Plan EnVision24 and it's embedded DEI-SJ Plan. We are concerned that this is a hostile environment and our students will be ostracized," the group said. Sewickley Academy alumni Stephen Nesmith ( Pittsburgh City Paper photo). 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.. 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. Immediately hire a competent DEI-SJ consultant to transition the school through this difficult time. Association Independent Schools (Accreditor) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Learning for Justice supports the educational outcomes that we want for our students. There is a long list of retired Heads of School who would be willing and qualified to help during this transition O National search for a new Head of School with experience and qualifications Search for a new Assistant Head of School with experience and qualification O Search for a new Head of Senior School with experience and qualifications O Appoint an entirely new Board of Trustees that includes experienced educators who represent the makeup of the student body at Sewickley Academy O Search for a new Head of DEISJ with experience and qualifications Paid for by concernedsewickleyparents.org. "2020/2021 Enrollment is the highest it's been in three years." In recent weeks, Sewickley Academy settled the federal discrimination lawsuit filed by Paid Advertisement Dr. Douglas Leeks (terms not disclosed) College & university. The Concerned Sewickley Parent Group would prefer not to put this information in an ad. O Appoint an entirely new Board of Trustees that includes experienced educators who Sponsors were assigned by the administration Rather, we are unaware of any private school successfully launching such a dramatic change in its educational focus. The published plan was distributed to the community. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users 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)? 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. These standards are in practice at comparable independent schools in Western PA. A competent DEI-SJ Plan is required for accreditation from the PA Association of Independent Schools, and the National Association of Independent Schools. 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