Published every Wednesday! Greetings, Highlanders! I would like to personally invite you, Shadle Park students, families and staff members to a new listening session to have a discussion about racially equitable practices on our campus. We will hold our first listening session on Monday, November 2nd from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. (CLICK LINK here to register.) The purpose of this listening session is to create space for students and families to share their experiences around equity and provide ideas about how to promote and support an identity rich culture that portrays all students within our school. Last year, I created the Racial Equity Advocates (REA) committee. Who and What is the REA? The Racial Equity Advocates (REA) committee is a cross-section of Shadle Park High School employees who represent staff of color and allies with the goal of cultivating a culture of anti-racism. Most REA committee members are also Culturally Responsive Trainers within Spokane Public Schools via the Washington Education Association. This group first convened in February of 2020, just before the pandemic, under my leadership. To create a culture of resilience that is inclusive of all students within a changing demographic, and to build strong and caring relationships that exceed our differences, it is necessary to recognize the reality and impact of racism, whether implicit or explicit. As such, there is awareness and advocacy needed to transcend the façade of racial neutrality. The focus of REA is to provide a safe space for staff of color to express concerns, to partner with allies to effect change towards educational justice, therefore developing an anti-racist support system for all students so that the damaging culture of silent conformity is not perpetuated. On behalf of REA and the Shadle Staff, I look forward to your participation at our first listening session. We have plans to hold more listening sessions in the future. Our goals are to create excellence for everyone using an equity lens at the forefront of our work and promote a hopeful and opportunity-rich environment for all Highlanders. Your partnership with us is an important key to reaching our goals. Warmly, Julie S. Lee, School Principal 1 For more information about the REA Committee, see page 3. Page Page Oct./Nov. 2020 Shadle Park Virtual School MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 26 27 28 29 30 SENIOR PARENT INFO DECA Meeting, 12-12:30 DEADLINE: Early NIGHT #2 via Microsoft p.m. Registration for AP Teams, 6-7 p.m.; CLICK Exams FIRE SAFETY MONTH HERE FOR MEETING (click for article) SENIOR WEEK LINK STUDENT PUMPKIN SENIORS: DEADLINE to MOD Pizza FUNDRAISER place JOSTENS order CONTEST for GRAD NIGHT ‘21 FIRE SAFETY MONTH 2 3 4 5 6 SPHS/SPS Listening SPHS CLASS ELECTION VIRTUAL SENIOR END OF FIRST QUARTER DAY (digital voting) SEMINAR, 2:30-3 p.m. on Session on Racial Microsoft Teams; CLICK Equity Practices online meeting; 6-7:30 pm; HERE for meeting link CLICK HERE for info & link 9 10 SENIOR FINANCIAL 11 12 13 AID DAY, 11:00 am DECA WESTERN MODIFIED CLASS REGION LEADERSHIP BOOSTER CLUB SCHEDULE FOR Nov. 12 CONFERENCE MEETING on ZOOM, VETERANS DAY— AND 13; CLICK HERE TO 6:30 P.M.; CLICK to VIEW ACT 6 Scholarship Info NO SCHOOL RSVP by email and for Session on ZOOM; 3:30 meeting link P.M. CLICK HERE FOR TACO TIME INFO GRAD NIGHT ‘21 INFO FUNDRAISER for Girls’ SESSION, 7 p.m. on Basketball Program, 4:00 ZOOM; CLICK HERE for to 8:00 p.m. meeting link 16 17 18 19 20 VIRTUAL SENIOR 2 SEMINAR, 2:30-3 p.m. on Microsoft Teams; CLICK HERE for meeting link Page Shadle Park High School’s Racial Equity Advocates: An Overview The Racial Equity Advocates (REA) group is hosting a listening session, Monday, November 2nd from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Shadle Park High School is committed to looking at our policies and practices through a racial equity lens. The goal of this listening session is to hear from our families and students about their school experience from early childhood until now. By hearing from YOU, we can support an identity rich environment that welcomes and engages all students to become the best version of themselves. Historical Context Equity is not established by giving all people the same thing (that is equality). Because all people have different needs, equity is the process of realizing and supporting those needs, while also understanding the context from which those needs come. The education system is one of the main arteries of progress in America and has a trajectory of unfortunate disenfranchisement for communities of color compounded with low socio-economic status and disempowerment. Understanding equity is realizing that the achievement gap exists by circumstances that were precisely and intentionally created to prevent success for historically oppressed people of color; the opportunity gap is the consequence of that. Blood quantum laws (1705), Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896), restrictive covenants (1920a- 1940s), red lining (1960s), standardized testing pitfalls, lack of inclusive hiring practices being implemented with fidelity, and discipline disparities that lead directly to the criminal justice system for many youth of color are all remnants of historical racism that can still be seen and felt in 2020. Consequently, the upward mobility of families of color has collectively been eroded for generations. SPS Equity Resolution On June 10, 2020, the SPS School Board took an unprecedented step towards promoting equity by passing Resolution No. 2020-11 (known as the Equity Resolution). This resolution affirms the reality and impact of racism and prioritizes anti-racism. Please see the below excerpts from the resolution (https:// www.spokaneschools.org/cms/lib/WA50000187/Centricity/Domain/2521/2020-11%20Equity%20Policy% 2006.10.2020%20.pdf): • WHEREAS, the national crisis of racism has been reflected in both recent and historical events highlighting the injustice and discrimination that is pervasive through our culture and institutions; and • WHEREAS, we realize that structural racism is built into the bones of our schools, as well as every structure in society; we have to build anti-racism into the bones in order to increase student empowerment, belonging, value, and hope for the future (adapted from Ijeoma Oluo); Shadle Park High School’s New Mission Statement – August 2020 Shadle Park High School’s goal is to ensure that every student graduate on time with the skillset, mindset, and habits to be opportunity-ready in a 21st Century world. Mindfully engaging each day in anti-racist behaviors, we seek to center and amplify the voices and experiences of students who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), by listening to and acknowledging their needs. We are committed to applying 3 an equity lens to our educational practices emphasizing student empowerment, belonging, value and hope for the future. As a school community we will ensure that every student is CHALLENGED, SUPPORTED AND CARED FOR in all three phases of student life—ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY in the process of becoming the best version of themselves. Page Registration deadline is THIS FRIDAY, Oct. 30th!!! Attention, AP students! LAST CALL for AP Exam registration!!! Early registration closes THIS FRIDAY, October 30th AT 3:00 P.M. After October 30th, you will be charged a $40 late registration fee per exam. Each AP Exam costs $95 and exams will take place in the Spring. Financial assistance is available to qualifying families. CLICK HERE to view more information from the Shadle website’s AP page and to access the online registration form. For questions about the AP Exam Registration Process, please email your AP teacher or: Andre Wicks, Assistant Principal [email protected] Office phone: (509) 354-6707 For questions about the payment options for AP Exams, you may also call the Shadle Park Business Office at (509) 354-6720 (M-F, 7:30 am— 3:00 p.m.) 4 Page Page Student Pumpkin Contest This Week! Hey, Shadle!! Get into your fall festival mood and show us your creativity! Regardless of your artistic skill, you can enter the pumpkin contest. You can either paint or carve your pumpkin and then send a pic of your creation to the Shadle Park Leadership Instagram account or just email it to Mr. Harmon ([email protected]) by Thurs., Oct. 29th. Choose ONE of the themes: Shadle Spirit, Spooky or Sporty. Have fun and enjoy the project!! The Shadle Drive-Through Trick or Treat event last Thursday afternoon was a BIG success with more than 200 goodie bags distributed to our Highlander families. It was so nice to see our students “IRL” (in real life) instead of on a computer screen! Thank you to Mr. Harmon and the Leadership class for coordinating the event. Thanks, also, to our Shadle staff who donated candy, submitted decorated pumpkins for judging, and participated at the event. On the next page are some photos from the event, courtesy of Ms. Hanson (photo booth) and Mr. Weirauch and the Yearbook staff. Have a Safe and Happy 5 Page Page Halloween, Shadle Park! “Julie, please pass along our sincere thanks to the staff for Thursday’s Trick-or-Treat event. That meant a lot to our son. He came home so 6 uplifted. Every day he works out with Mace and his teammates is also a boost that’s been so needed. We are deeply grateful for these times at SP!“ Page Revised Class Schedule for Fridays Heads up! Our daily class schedule (bell schedule) has been modified and the new schedule takes effect on Monday, October 26. The change affects our Friday class schedule, so please note the new class start times for Friday.