West Newsmagazine 10-6-21

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Parkway confronts racism after
two high schools incidents
By BONNIE KRUEGER
Last week, two separate incidents were
reported within hours of each other in
Parkway Central and Parkway North
bathrooms involving sexually graphic
and racially demeaning messages. The
incidents, which appear unrelated, were
reported to Parkway administration on
Sept. 22. The district immediately began
investigating the racial slurs, which led to
a confession at Central High by an African-American
underclassman a few days
later. His motive is unclear.
What became clear in an email sent
to Parkway families by Superintendent
Dr. Keith Marty is that the student “will
be met with substantial disciplinary and
potentially legal consequences.” In a
second email to the Parkway community
on Sept. 28, Marty wrote, “The student
responsible is not white, however, this
does not diminish the hurt it caused or the
negative impact it has had on our entire
community.”
This latest situation comes three years
after another major racially motivated
incident at Central High in 2017, which
also was perpetrated by a Black student.
In his initial email, Marty wrote, in part,
“For years we have been working to help
students understand the views, values
and cultures of others. Our teachers are
working to implement practices to meet
the needs of students from all cultures
and backgrounds. We continue to ensure
our curriculum helps students understand
multiple perspectives, represents all students
and helps them act out of a strong
sense of personal, social and civic responsibility.
We have developed and promoted
work around character education. Yet,
despite these and many other efforts, we
clearly have more work to do.”
On Sept. 23, about 1,000 students participated
in a walk-out at Central High to
take a stand against racism and make their
voices heard. A group of Central area students
and parents protested at the administrative
building connected to the Central
campus, demanding action and change.
Similarly, Parkway South High Principal
Dr. Patrice Aitch reported in an email
to parents that about 600 students participated
with “the leaders of the walkout
open(ing) the event and allow(ing) for any
student to share their thoughts and feelings.”
“Students shared racist and negative
experiences they’ve encountered both
at school and in the community,” Aitch
said. “They shared the harm endured from
hate speech regarding race, religion, sexuality
and genderism. A vehement desire
for change in school and the community
was made clear as they encouraged each
other to not be bystanders, but to speak up
when witnessing events such as these.”
The North High incident is still under
investigation. Although district administrators
revealed that they are zeroing in on
the student believed to be responsible, as
of press time, no confirmation had been
made. Students at North High also organized
a peaceful walkout for change.
Marty acknowledged and lauded the
students’ efforts.
“Their voice was a clear indication that
more work is needed to ensure our school
cultures and communities are safe for each
student regardless of their race,” he wrote.
“I want to tell the thousands of students
who participated on behalf of themselves
and their fellow classmates: I am proud
of you for supporting one another and we
heard you loud and clear.”
October 6, 2021
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BULLETIN BOARD, from previous
titude of settings for students who are challenged
with reading deficits in general and
special education.
Voigt said she instilled the joy of reading
in her students by getting to know them
on a personal level and their feelings about
school in general.
“While working at the ILC, much of
our time was spent on figuring out students’
relationships with family, friends
and school,” Voigt said. “Once that was
determined, it was imperative to translate
that to their learning. How I tied this
to books was critical to their success as
a reader.”
Once that rapport was established, she
and her students began choosing books
that reflected their beliefs and what was
happening in their lives.
“Finding that ‘just right’ book can take
a few tries,” Voigt said. “Many books we
discovered together took students down
a path that helped them in their personal
lives as well.”
The award comes with a $1,000 monetary
prize, which will be used to rebuild
a classroom that is targeted toward middle
schoolers and their needs.
Learning Ally is a nonprofit education
organization dedicated to equipping educators
with solutions that help learners reach
their potential.