In your petition, you demand that several actions be taken by Sewickley Academys Board of Trustees and Head of School. Albums. Recently, the administration enacted practices that prohibited teachers from participating in Kimberly Rooney is a reporter for Pittsburgh City Paper, where this story first appeared . Our objective is to shine a spotlight on our childrens experiences at Sewickley Academy. 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. Edinboro University Alumni. We wish to address the Concerned Sewickley Parents who authored the petition advertisement on page 7 in the Sewickley Heralds March 31 edition. There are 500 other constituents in the school. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users In this conversation. 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/ [email protected] 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. What Is Happening at Sewickley Academy Affects The Whole Community 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 . 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. 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. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved. Ashley Birtwell has replaced him on an interim basis. 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 Consider first: Sewickley Academy has a long and successful record of preparing youth to contribute not only to Sewickley, but to the larger community. We would like to see the following actions implemented immediately: 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. In other school districts, people with similar connections are trying to join school boards. We have witnessed so much of this over the years, beginning with our four children who completed 43 student-years at the academy all flourished thereafter, each in their own way. 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. 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. April 2021 - The Board of Trustees President presented "Our Proud History" (YouTube), a community introduction to the plan. CONCERNED 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. www.sewickleyacademy.org. 10 "The firings were retaliatory against anyone in support of diversity in education and plans to attract recruit and retain people of color. Commit to all the items listed in the petition at https://concernedsewickleyparents.org Join the Cause for a Better Future (What You Can Do): Speak out, share this information and help us get answers from the Sewickley Academy Board of Trustees. 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. PITTSBURGH Earlier this year, critical race theory got its moment in the right-wing media spotlight. Is Sewickley Academy's 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. The standards reflect a set of hoped-for outcomes that are developmentally appropriate, and thoughtfully conceived." Since the purpose of this site is to display digital ads, please disable your ad blocker to prevent content from breaking. These standards are in practice at comparable independent schools in Reviews. Get the Facts: Does Sewickley Academy Teach Critical Race Theory? 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. 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. 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. www.sewickleyacademy.org. Press Release. 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. Login to the Home and School Resource Board on. Home. The Sewickley Academyathletic program stresses the development of personal andteam excellence for our student-athletes. We seek to ensure that Sewickley Academy provides academic excellence in a diverse environment, attracts, retains, and celebrates the best faculty in the country, and provides a curriculum and culture free of ideological agendas. In April 2021, however, parents at Sewickley Academy received an email about the plan. Theyre not changing. Whether we agree or disagree is not the point. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Last week, The Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) 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. Birtwell said that 583 students were enrolled at the school for the 2020-21 school year. If the Sewickley Parents Organization wants to make sure their children aren't ever confronted with uncomfortable topics, fine. Concerned Sewickley Parents. 2019 - Sewickley Academy engaged a consultant for its Strategic Plan Envision24. The standards reflect a set of Similar omissions of affiliations with Republican officials are common across anti-CRT coverage. NAIS Principles of Good Practice. 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. 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. "2020/2021 Enrollment is the highest it's been in three years." Two more teachers have since left the school, as well as many minority families. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other; if we are to succeed. be willing and qualified to help during this transition In this conversation. Stand Together, the philanthropic community founded by Charles Koch, reached out to City Paper after this story was first published to say they oppose efforts to ban ideas, whether we agree or disagree, including critical race theory. We studied your demands. Birtwell also said that having more students enrolled allows for the vocal, music and dramatic arts offered to improve. 8/05/2021 - Sewickley Academy's justification for staff terminations at first was "low enrolment, " but the reasons continue to change. 26 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. College & university. Concerned Sewickley Parents. Get the Facts: "The firings were retaliatory. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. 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. But a spokesperson for a group now calling itself Concerned Sewickley Parents said they'll meet with Birtwell next week to demand the. The Facebook page shared anti-CRT content as far back as April 2021, claiming the Biden administration want[s] to rewrite American history.. Association Independent Schools (Accreditor) Members plan to meet with the administration Friday at 1:00 pm to address the unexpected and numerous changes immediately before the start. Veteran Senior School teachers are In this conversation. Presenting herself as an independently concerned constituent, she makes no mention of working for then-Republican state Rep. Eli Evankovich. Somerset Township, Eighty Four, PA. Please enter valid email address to continue. We are Parents of children that attend the Academy, and we are Alumni of Sewickley Academy who are passionate and committed to its long-term success. Paid Advertisement We are concerned that this is a hostile environment and our students will be ostracized," the group said. All anti-CRT pushes in the Pittsburgh region have occurred in 2021. Academy graduates join a network of more than 4,000 alumni across the globe. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Borocampusrec. 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. experience and qualifications. Sewickley Academy Interim Head of School Ashley Birtwell. While these small-scale, local campaigns attempt to make anti-CRT actions appear non-partisan and organic born from individual reflection and necessity many of the people leading these campaigns have ties to Republican elected officials and cite or reference right-wing media sources. Low enrollment was one of the reasons Birtwell cited as an influence for the leadership changes that occurred July 21. concerns might be." Paid for by concernedsewickleyparents.org 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 7/1/21 - 18 year Head of School is terminated effective immediately. A 2019 study revealed total Independent School enrollment was down in Western PA. 2019 schoolwide communication. 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, Recruitment of diverse students of high potential regardless of background, A continued strategy for robust diversity and inclusion that encourages curiosity and dialogue, A campus environment that fosters authentic free expression with a path for students and parents to report restrictions anonymously, Hiring and retention of faculty and administrators based on proven track records of professional and academic excellence. In doing so, we recognize the passion and beliefs driving your insistence that the school make these radical changes. Since the purpose of this site is to display digital ads, please disable your ad blocker to prevent content from breaking. 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