Sproul described the experience as fun to Explore Clarion, which also used Sprouls photographs of people entering and occupying the Capitol. Sewickley Academy 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. In this conversation. 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. To learn more about this business and its most recent offers. represent the makeup of the student body at Sewickley Academy 7/27/21 - "The head of school being fired and almost the entire administration is an extremely unusual situation in the independent school world," Gary Neils, Penn. There is a long list of retired Heads of School who would Why Were Six Senior Leaders Fired (Including All Of The (3) Most Senior Leaders Of Color)? 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. 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. Over 150 individuals from the Sewickley Community (Board of Trustees; Faculty and Staff representatives; Student Leaders; student led clubs, specifically the African American Culture club 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. Sewickley Academy 4/2020 Communication. NAIS Principles of Good Practice. 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 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. In short, the scope and scale of the problems faced by our school required the fresh perspective of new leadership, Birtwell said. Our goal is to see the Academy grow and thrive and provide an exceptional experience to its students. The top three leadership positions at Sewickley Academy are occupied by individuals who NAIS Principles of Good Practice. College & university. Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. PITTSBURGH Earlier this year, critical race theory got its moment in the right-wing media spotlight. "2020/2021 Enrollment is the highest it's been in three years." 7/21/21 - "Leadership Team Purged at Sewickley Academy Following Parent Pushback on Equity Initiatives," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The school won't comment except to say the moves were made to "ensure academic excellence," but the firings came after pressure from a parent group called the Sewickley Parents Organization. And theyre not progressive. Edinboro University Psychology Department. www.sewickelyacademy.org "No. 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. Sewickley Academy is an independent, private school, giving parents referred to by Odom as stakeholders more influence over the schools actions. Do you have a question? Edinboro Chi Alpha. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Borocampusrec. Commit to all the items listed in the petition at https://concernedsewickleyparents.org www.sewickleyacademy.org. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users Fall 2020 - After 1.5 years in development, the Board ratified the Strategic Plan EnVision24 and it's embedded DEI-SJ Plan. 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)? Concerned Sewickley Parents. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 6/1/21 - Sewickley Parents, an anonymous group, circulated an anonymous letter to Sewickley Academy families that many recipients found threatening. Three were people of color. TV Q&A: Is a Pittsburgher writing for CBSs East New York? In this conversation. Rather, we are unaware of any private school successfully launching such a dramatic change in its educational focus. Edinboro University Psychology Department. 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. Please see www.concernedsewickleyparents.org for details. Sewickley Academy .Celebrates differences, and educates students that every individual is a valued member of our community." Sewickley Academy is now facing a civil rights lawsuit from former director of admissions and financial aid Douglas Leek, who is Black, alleging racial discrimination. Make all future Board of Trustees meetings open to all Sewickley Academy parents and alumni. Religious Organization. Join the Concerned Sewickley Parents and sign 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. 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. In your petition, you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academys Board of Trustees and Head of School. Another hired independent study done on the faculty experience in 2016 landed the schools results in the toxic quadrant for school culture, characterized by low predictability and low supportiveness, she said. Since the purpose of this site is to display digital ads, please disable your ad blocker to prevent content from breaking. 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. Will the Academy Confirm Today That They Intend to Move Forward With the Original DEI-SJ Plan as Adopted/Ratified in April 2021? 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. This ad was originally published on this date and may contain an offer that is no longer valid. 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. Secondly, please consider the credibility of your demands. Founded in 1838, Sewickley Academy is Pittsburghs oldest independent coeducational school. 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. students are considering leaving Dr. Douglas Leeks (terms not disclosed) 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. Does Sewickley Academy Teach Critical Race Theory? To learn more about this business and its most recent offers. Academic Excellence on the Decline? See All Were seeing it as a movement and instead of take back your country, its take back our school, saidDominic Odom, a representative of Concerned Sewickley Parents, which formed in response to the firings of the five Sewickley Academy faculty and administrators. He appeared on a July 7 Fox News segment and was introduced only as a father of two running for school board. Make all future Board of Trustees meetings open to all Sewickley Academy parents and alumni. All anti-CRT pushes in the Pittsburgh region have occurred in 2021. College & university. We promise we will never sell your information or spam your email. More. Somerset Township, Eighty Four, PA. Association Independent Schools (Accreditor) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Paid Advertisement quality and effectiveness of a school's program and are in conflict with the Ashley Birtwell has replaced him on an interim basis. 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. Recently, the administration enacted practices that prohibited teachers from participating in CONCERNED Enrollment is like a report card of satisfaction, and Sewickley Academy has been missing the mark, Birtwell said. Press Release. Paid Advertisement Is Sewickley Academy's Academic Excellence on the Decline? Edinboro Chi Alpha. Other leaders in local anti-CRT campaigns also have ties to additional right-wing actions and organizations, despite attempts to rhetorically frame anti-CRT measures as non-partisan concerns for childrens education and emotional well-being. The published plan was distributed to the community. 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. 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. 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." Vento's Pizza, home of 'Franco's Italian Army,' to close, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. Most recent offers occupying the Capitol to display digital ads, please disable your ad blocker to prevent content breaking! By Sewickley Academys Board of Trustees and Head of school our school required the fresh perspective of leadership. Will the Academy grow concerned sewickley parents thrive and provide an exceptional experience to its students an offer that no! 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