June 2, 2020
Dear Parents & Guardians,
The events of the past week have been painful to watch unfold in our region and across the United States. Our thoughts go out to all the communities that are hurting, in the Pittsburgh area and around the country. With this, we join our partnering schools in Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools, whose statement on equity condemns “the Black lives lost through racialized violence” and that of any group.
At South Fayette, we are working hard to educate our students to ensure that they have fair access to powerful and inclusive learning experiences and to build a more just and compassionate world. With this in mind, we made diversity and inclusion a central piece of the District’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan: Small World, Big Future. As part of that plan, this past fall we created a new “Diversity & Equity” policy and updated our “Harassment” and “Bullying” policies to reinforce the idea that hate is not welcome in our district. We recently erected signs throughout the campus to reiterate this message to all who come on school grounds:
Hateful conduct is contrary to the South Fayette Township District's vision, mission and goal of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Acts of bullying, harassment and threatening or intimidating conduct based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity are unlawful and strictly prohibited.
Violators will be disciplined and/or prosecuted.
BOARD POLICY NO. 256; 18 PA.C.S. § 2710
It is important that we recognize that school should be a place of belonging for all. Discrimination, hate speech, insults, or intimidation of any kind are not welcomed or tolerated.
We understand that many of our young students may still struggle with what they see and hear in the media. With that said, we suggest that these resources may be useful for our families at home.
Tips for Parents on Media Coverage
Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal
Teaching Tolerance
We wish all our families well as they navigate these challenging times.
Warmest regards,
Dr. Ken Lockette, Superintendent of Schools