Student Protests Continuing (Now at Ingraham)
Ingraham High School has a Native/Latino club. Since both the district and the City had passed resolutions recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day every 2nd Monday in October and, since November is Latino Heritage Month/Native American Heritage month, the club had asked the school for a school-wide assembly to "promote and celebrate" these recognitions.
But the school leadership said no. According to a press release, "Ingraham H.S. has no formal policy or procedure for student club initiated school-wide assembly requests." The students do have a grant to raise awareness of Native American students and wanted to use some of those funds for the assembly "to engage the Ingraham community by educating staff and students about local and National leaders, artists, activist and providing a rare look into Native/Latino perspectives, experiences and contributions."
The students are not happy with the no coming from the office.
These Ingraham students plan a noon protest on Monday, October 27th by the flagpole near the main entrance to stand in protest in solidarity.
The denial for Native/Latino student club assembly is an absolute abomination and contradicts the verbiage used in the Seattle Public Schools resolution. Historically, and presently, our Native and Latino students experience immense discrimination, marginalization and alienation within the current SPS institutions, and this is underscored by the SPS Data which reflects some of the poorest graduation rates, low performance scores, and disproportionality in disciplinary action. A school wide assembly initiated by student leadership could have been a catalyst for improving cultural awareness, sensitivity and supporting diversity within the Ingraham community.
The omission of Indigenous history, culture, contemporary issues and perspective in SPS curriculum, instruction, school environment, and class room climate is a source of ongoing concern. Native Learners continue to experience inequity and systemic disadvantages due to institutionalized racism, lack of SPS culturally responsive, culturally appropriate services and programs, and continued barriers to resources and a lack of Native role models within schools. Historical-socio-cultural-economic factors continue to prevent Native students from achieving academic success. Furthermore, students at Ingraham H.S. have a right to celebrate, honor and share their heritage, perspectives, accomplishments, culture, history and contributions to American society.
The Garfield walk-out today at 1:50 pm over the cutting of a teacher from their staff is still happening. From the Garfield ASG President, Harold Hyllseth, and VP, Jackie Do (partial):
Garfield High School students will walkout (along with teachers and staff) over the cut of a yet to be specified core subject teacher, in the 9th year, which will impact 150 student schedules. The walkout is scheduled for 1:50 pm - 30 minutes before the end of the school day - on Thursday, October 23. Along with the Garfield PTSA, we, the Associated Student Government of Garfield HS, have voted in support of this school-wide rally occurring in the very front of the school tomorrow.
I will interject here that it will likely NOT be a 9th year teacher; it will be a teacher with lower seniority. I was told if a teacher had multiple certificate endorsements, it might not be just about seniority. Anyone know for sure?
Continuing:
We were then appalled to discover the timeline that Seattle Public Schools put on us and 5 addition schools on, where they tell us to choose a full or part time teacher to remove from their position by this Friday, October 24. That is only 4 days for us as students to react and do something to prevent this from happening whereas our principal, teachers and staff at the other 5 schools affected, additionally received the news last Friday, giving them a week to either come up with $92,000 or decide which teacher they will have to relocate effective next Monday.
If the district wants to make “everyone accountable” they could consider holding themselves accountable for a mistake they made and are now forcing the repercussions and problems onto one of their high schools, its teachers and its students. In the end, we’re all here for the wonderful opportunity to learn, have new experiences and most of all graduate.
It should not be the responsibility of us as students and families of a school district whose number one priority is the well-being of its students, aka all of us, to raise this astronomical amount of money at any point in time as it pertains to this situation.
I am told Principal Howard feels frustrated as he has met the district's enrollment goal. I'm not sure anyone truly understands and I hope someone on the Board - maybe Director Blanford as he is director in the Garfield region - asks some hard questions.
Seattle PI story on yesterday's march by GHS Black Student Union members. In the pouring rain.
But the school leadership said no. According to a press release, "Ingraham H.S. has no formal policy or procedure for student club initiated school-wide assembly requests." The students do have a grant to raise awareness of Native American students and wanted to use some of those funds for the assembly "to engage the Ingraham community by educating staff and students about local and National leaders, artists, activist and providing a rare look into Native/Latino perspectives, experiences and contributions."
The students are not happy with the no coming from the office.
These Ingraham students plan a noon protest on Monday, October 27th by the flagpole near the main entrance to stand in protest in solidarity.
The denial for Native/Latino student club assembly is an absolute abomination and contradicts the verbiage used in the Seattle Public Schools resolution. Historically, and presently, our Native and Latino students experience immense discrimination, marginalization and alienation within the current SPS institutions, and this is underscored by the SPS Data which reflects some of the poorest graduation rates, low performance scores, and disproportionality in disciplinary action. A school wide assembly initiated by student leadership could have been a catalyst for improving cultural awareness, sensitivity and supporting diversity within the Ingraham community.
The omission of Indigenous history, culture, contemporary issues and perspective in SPS curriculum, instruction, school environment, and class room climate is a source of ongoing concern. Native Learners continue to experience inequity and systemic disadvantages due to institutionalized racism, lack of SPS culturally responsive, culturally appropriate services and programs, and continued barriers to resources and a lack of Native role models within schools. Historical-socio-cultural-economic factors continue to prevent Native students from achieving academic success. Furthermore, students at Ingraham H.S. have a right to celebrate, honor and share their heritage, perspectives, accomplishments, culture, history and contributions to American society.
The Garfield walk-out today at 1:50 pm over the cutting of a teacher from their staff is still happening. From the Garfield ASG President, Harold Hyllseth, and VP, Jackie Do (partial):
Garfield High School students will walkout (along with teachers and staff) over the cut of a yet to be specified core subject teacher, in the 9th year, which will impact 150 student schedules. The walkout is scheduled for 1:50 pm - 30 minutes before the end of the school day - on Thursday, October 23. Along with the Garfield PTSA, we, the Associated Student Government of Garfield HS, have voted in support of this school-wide rally occurring in the very front of the school tomorrow.
I will interject here that it will likely NOT be a 9th year teacher; it will be a teacher with lower seniority. I was told if a teacher had multiple certificate endorsements, it might not be just about seniority. Anyone know for sure?
Continuing:
We were then appalled to discover the timeline that Seattle Public Schools put on us and 5 addition schools on, where they tell us to choose a full or part time teacher to remove from their position by this Friday, October 24. That is only 4 days for us as students to react and do something to prevent this from happening whereas our principal, teachers and staff at the other 5 schools affected, additionally received the news last Friday, giving them a week to either come up with $92,000 or decide which teacher they will have to relocate effective next Monday.
If the district wants to make “everyone accountable” they could consider holding themselves accountable for a mistake they made and are now forcing the repercussions and problems onto one of their high schools, its teachers and its students. In the end, we’re all here for the wonderful opportunity to learn, have new experiences and most of all graduate.
It should not be the responsibility of us as students and families of a school district whose number one priority is the well-being of its students, aka all of us, to raise this astronomical amount of money at any point in time as it pertains to this situation.
I am told Principal Howard feels frustrated as he has met the district's enrollment goal. I'm not sure anyone truly understands and I hope someone on the Board - maybe Director Blanford as he is director in the Garfield region - asks some hard questions.
Seattle PI story on yesterday's march by GHS Black Student Union members. In the pouring rain.
Comments
I hope they can work something out.
Chris S.
The dearth of information taught about Native American and Latino history and culture leads me to believe this is a great educational opportunity. Certainly more than a pep rally. Did he veto the pep rally?
Like Ben, I am also skeptical about adding yet another assembly of any sort to the school calender. When assemblies occur, the whole day is impacted. Class times are shortened, and I wonder how much actual learning happens in a 20 or 25 minute period? Given the other disruptions over the year, I would like there to be an incredibly high bar to adding another assembly. And to my mind, though its great that our City and SPS chose to recognize Indigenous People's Day, that alone does not justify another assembly. (Unless, of course, the school had an assembly for every single holiday already recognized by the City or SPS, which is certainly not the case.)
And I hate to be a pessimist, but based on my observations of the high schoolers in my home, I'm not sure that there's ever any real "educational benefit" derived from a high school assembly. No matter what the content, it becomes a social time for the students.
It was different in earlier grades. I remember some wonderful learning assemblies at Salmon Bay -- including a native storyteller who came a couple of times. I think younger students are better suited towards learning in an assembly format, at least mine were and I saw them benefit greatly from such opportunities.
I disagree with Mirmac that this says anything about insensitivity and rejection. It might if similarly situated entities had asked for additional assemblies and had their requests granted. But that is not the case. Or if there wasn't already an existing forum (multicultural assembly) where these students could introduce their fellow students to parts of their culture.
Certainly, "students at Ingraham H.S. have a right to celebrate, honor and share their heritage, perspectives, accomplishments, culture, history and contributions to American society." I hope they are doing so in all their classes, and using every existing opportunity within the school and extra-curricularly available to them. But that does not equate to the right to compel the school to add an additional assembly.
Rosemary D.
Rosemary D.
Rosemary, if you read the piece you would see that it was NOT just about the two resolutions.
I'm so surprised at the lack of imagination on how this could be done and that the other students would be less than interested.
Last time, not a pep rally.
Rosemary D.
I agree that a student request for a way to introduce the larger community to elements of cultural pride or concern is reasonable.
With a little collaboration and respect between students and administration - in itself a multicultural learning opportunity - the request for recognition could be fulfilled in a manner accceptable to both sides.
EdVoter
I personally have had school days off for Columbus Day. Of course, I'm as old as dirt. I don't remember about SPS 10 years ago, other it seemed there were SO MANY days off...
BUT it's still a federal holiday! To me, that says we could use some more education on this matter.
Chris S.
I'm curous what the PTO has done to help these particular students. More importantly what has district and school administration done.
That's what the PTO has done.
Also I think there are better ways to educate the student body. Like a lunchtime potlach, with native food tasting,
art opportunities, and other activities that students could participate in instead of just watch.
Or perhaps the students could design lesson plans for the social studies classes that shared the things they want their classmates to appreciate about their culture or history.
Both of those things could be done by other groups too, without interfering with the whole day like assemblies do.
It has always bothered me that the social studies curriculum teaches about native cultures from other parts of the country more than local tribes.
Why is an assembly the best way to educate other students?
-HS Parent
Rosemary D.
I expected my query would be taken in a negative way. I'm inquiring about specific ways. And I put the stress on SPS' efforts. Still, it is a valid question and I wait for the answer.
Rosemary D., I totally agree. Too bad the troll pops up wherever. Do like I do and tune him out. And thanks for engaging in this discussion. If not this year, I hope NHHS can think of positive ways to recognize this major oversight next year - and can start making arrangements sooner rather than later.
When you say "Latinos" what do you mean? It's confusing because the general definition is:
Latino generally refers to countries (or cultures) that were once under Roman rule. This includes Italy, France, Spain, etc. Brazilians are considered to be Latino, but are not considered to be Hispanic.
Hispanic describes cultures or countries that were once under Spanish rule (Mexico, Central America, and most South America where Spanish is the primary language).
Just Wondering
Hispanic describes cultures or countries that were once under Spanish rule (Mexico, Central America, and most South America where Spanish is the primary language).
I don't think that's the generally accepted definition of "Latino". Latino originated as short for Latin American, so it describes people in or from Mexico or Central or South America. Not French, Italian, etc.
(England was once ruled by Rome, too, but I certainly wouldn't describe English people as Latino...)
I am only giving the information that was given to me about the name of the group. You are free to go ask them about it.
The term Latino was officially adopted in 1997 by the United States Government in the ethnonym Hispanic or Latino, which replaced the single term Hispanic: "Because regional usage of the terms differs – Hispanic is commonly used in the eastern portion of the United States, whereas Latino is commonly used in the western portion."[18]
U.S. official use of the term "Hispanic" has its origins in the 1970 census. The Census Bureau attempted to identify all Hispanics by use of the following criteria in sampled sets:[19]
Spanish speakers and persons belonging to a household where Spanish was spoken
Persons with Spanish heritage by birth location
Persons who self-identify with Latin America, excluding Brazil
Neither "Hispanic" nor "Latino" refers to a race, as a person of Latino/Hispanic ethnicity can be of any race.[20][21] Like non-Latinos, a Latino can be of any race or combination of races: White/Caucasian, Black/African American, Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander American, or two or more races. While Brazilian Americans are not included with Hispanics and Latinos in the government's census population reports, any Brazilian American can report as being Hispanic or Latino since Hispanic or Latino origin is, like race, a matter of self-identification.[20][22]
Just Wondering
It's good to ask. I suspect identification terminology will continue to evolve and change. I find it best to ask people what they prefer to call themselves. You can't even assume Spanish language as the identifier. My colleague was called in to provide interpreting service for a family who originally came from Mexico. They spoke Nahuatl. Not Spanish.
reader
Ignorance is not a good thing. It is easier to dismiss, belittle, fear and discriminate against people when you don't know anything about them. A couple of days ago there was a posting whose author seems to believe that the CD around Garfield is South Central Los Angeles or Detroit! Did y'all know that SPLC lists Washington as having moderately HIGH hate-groups activities? Did you know that there are KKK groups here?
Don't feed the troll.
CCA
Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race."
CCA
I was excited when my student told me that there was a grade wide project on water use and conservation, and that there were several field trips associated with it. However, the trip to the Cedar River Watershed had no docent or tour, a hand out for middle schoolers and no method for delivery of the information that would have allowed the students to complete the handouts from the teacher.
The water project looks good on paper, IHS can point to it when filling out whatever this years equivalent to the transformation plan or C-SIP is , but the execution was poor, and the students know the difference between a really project where they learn, and a project where the teachers haven't had enough time and/or resources to do a great job.
Maybe this can lead to a discussion about how to make a more permanent inclusion of indigenous history, culture and perspective in the IHS curriculum.
tami
I'm not sure the kids at Ingraham care about Latino versus Hispanic. And this is their club and that is their name. I'm part Hispanic and I don't care.
Tami, when does this happen?
I'm not sure people here are getting it. Our district does not have cultural competency as a active goal. They have it as an aspirational goal but nothing happens.
We don't really need any more discussion. Ask any Native American parent how long this idea of a "discussion" has gone on. Ask them how many times the district screwed up the Federal grant for services for their children. Ask them how many times teachers have assigned less-than-appropriate reading for students that hurts Native American students.
The assembly is a one-off. They are not asking for a yearly thing. Maybe the assembly could be a springboard. But you have to start somewhere.
That is if this talk about diversity and cultural competency is to be believed.
The students wrote a grant which was funded for this assembly. There are community members (highly qualified educators and theater artists) who have offered to assist the students in their assembly production, if so desired. The response that this event could be incorporated during the lunch hour or in the Dr. Martin Luther King assembly is extremely disrespectful to the Native community. At one time the schools resisted celebrating Martin Luther King day also. I can recall vividly that some felt an assembly was not educational and if collard greens were offered during lunch, that would do. The students are not asking for a holiday only an assembly. The University of Washington Alumni Association Multicultural Alumni Partnership is celebrating Diversity this coming weekend. Over 500 guests are registered for this Breakfast including Seattle public school educators, students, University administrators, Regents,community members and elected and appointed officials. Scholarships are awarded each year to a Diverse group of students with one of the qualifications being "commitment to Diversity."
I continue to hope that Principal Floe will reconsider.
Scandinavian heritage
It's great for UW to throw the big event. Still it's preaching to the same choir and shaking the same hands, but changes little once the big tent gets folded. It feels frankly like a check mark on the to do list for the regents and deans. Sorry Carol for sounding so blue.
To change hearts and minds, you need folks with those hearts and minds you like to change to be there too. It needs to be more than just a one day holiday or moment because everyday in this city there are plenty of opportunities to make it more than a token acknowldegement by deciding how we interact with others as we go about our daily life. And if people want to ping pong back and forth Latino or Hispanic, well at least it's a conversation starter.
I'm of 2 mind sets. Do it because the students want it
and are willing to work for it. But don't make this an
exception. Better to make this part of the school culture. Celebrate and acknowledge the diversity, but remind everyone, they are all Ingraham Rams.
reader
One student leader started a GHS chant and they all joined in.
It was a good example of unity.
-- Ivan Weiss
-- Ivan Weiss
I did not mean to be disrespectful to the Native community by suggesting a potlach. In fact that is something that my kids got to experience as part of a school curriculum when they were younger.
They spent 2 weeks having local elders come in to the classroom, including Grandmother Vi Hilbert & Storyteller Johnny Moses. They were taught with hands on activities about native symbols & art, music, storytelling, poetry. They learned to identify native plants & their uses for food & medicine. This included the children cooking with things like salmon berries & kelp. They learned how bentwood boxes were made & they wove cloth with cedar bark strips. They visited the Burke museum & they learned about the Duwamish longhouse project & the quest for tribal recognition. This curriculum was wrapped up with a potlach where the children worked with their Native American mentors to smoke the salmon, learn dances to perform, & prepare a celebration to share with their families. I thought it was a very respectful way to learn from the Native American community. Certainly it was memorable for all the kids & adults involved.
I am sorry that it seems offensive to suggest such experiences for IHS.
In the initial post it was not clear to me why an assembly was the choice venue for the celebration. If the kids feel strongly that an assembly is the best way to accomplish their goals I will respect that.
Probably my personal experience working with mostly kids who have anxiety disorders, OCD, autism, sensory issues, I generally think of all assemblies as ordeals, not constructive. I am sure that colors my view of assemblies as a learning tool. I am open to recognizing that I may be mistaken about that.
-HS Parent
Your points are well taken that an event must not be a one time occurrence whether it is the UW Multicultural Partnership Breakfast Celebration or The Ingraham International High School Indigenous Peoples Assembly. There must be ongoing commitment. For 20 years the UWAA MAP Bridging the Gap Celebration has highlighted and reinforced the continuation of Diversity activities on campus and in the community. Five students representing different ethnic groups are awarded tuition scholarships each year and community members are honored for their work and their commitment to Diversity. I invite you to attend this event, and I also invite you to participate in the Ingraham High School Native/Latino Rally on Monday. You would find both rewarding, reinforcing and regenerating to be among like-minded diversity dedicated people. Even if both events preach to members of the choir, others will hear and if they listen carefully enough I have faith their hearts and minds will change. Please do attend. And yes, Ivan I do continue to hope that Principal Floe will listen carefully enough also. I recall when the Principal of Nathan Hale in the sixties said "we cannot have a Martin Luther King Assembly as it takes away from class time and is not educational."
Thank you for the clarification and your interest in this issue.
I believe the students selected the Assembly venue in order to show support from the School Leadership and also to share with their classmates accurate information and education about Native and Latino cultures. It is extremely disappointing and unbelievable that they were denied this opportunity. This can and must be remedied.
Thank you again,
Carol
My point is that we have many shameful incidents in our past. My kids have been SPS students from kindergarten, and I am pleased to say that they have learned about these events at every stage of their education. A far different reality than my education in NJ in the 1960s and 1970s.
The school already provides an assembly each year where students can highlight their culture and educate their fellow students. No one has yet explained why the students here can't use that event to tell others a bit more about their history each year.
Indeed, now that I mention it, I haven't heard/seen a student voice anywhere on this topic.
Rosemary D.
---------------------------------
Dear Mr. Floe October 19, 2014
The Latino/Native Club students strongly urge you to consider the following recommendation;
A Native Focused Program in the school. With Indigenous instructors, perspective, curriculum, materials, and culturally responsive learning experiences
Yearly assembly dedicated to recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day
Images/art and culturally significant items that reflect contemporary Indigenous life ways
Adoption and Implantation of H.B. 1495 Since Time Immemorial Curriculum per SPS Resolution No. 2014/15-10
These recommendations would serve to eliminate myths, racism, and stereotypes towards Native/Latino people and support bringing visibility to issues and contemporary Latino and Native experience.
We want Ingraham to commit to social justice, educational equity, and active effort to eliminate institutionalized racism.
A yearly assembly dedicated to Indigenous Peoples day
Currently there are no images, art, pictures, or cultural items that reflect our heritage at Ingraham H.S. Native/Latino images, art, pictures should be prominently displayed around the school
Lastly having a Native focused program would support all of the above recommendation and would provide a unique educational experience affording our population an opportunity to be successful and increase the graduation rate of Native students.
We look forward to meeting with you and our community leaders to forward these recommendations
Sincerely,
Native/Latino Club Members
As to the request for "Images/art and culturally significant items that reflect contemporary Indigenous life ways," as Eric already mentioned, Friends of Ingraham has a well publicized grant process, with grants consider 4x per year. The next grant submission deadline is December 8. If this club wanted to submit a request to purchase some materials for school display, this is one format they might use to solicit funds.
Successful grant recipients are those that have done their homework in advance and reflect it on the grant application. In this case from my perspective, that would include describing how and where such articles were to be displayed and that appropriate permissions to do so had been obtained, confirmation of the specific cost of the item(s) as well as anything unique to the situation. On the FOI FB page we have records of past grant awards so you can get a sense of what we have funded and at what levels in the past.
Rosemary D.
PC sucks
But the students have their OWN grant. See, don't even need funding.
PC, if you are an American, we all share in the blame, to one degree or another, for racism in our country.
PC sucks
For one thing, Indigenous People's Day is now a required observance in Seattle Public Schools under policy 2336. Only 5 holidays are included in that policy:
Veterans Day (Nov 11)
Constitution Day (Sept 17)
Temperance and Good Citizenship Day (January 16th - is that some sort of dodge of MLK day? I see an amendment in the future).
Disability History Month (October)
Indigenous Peoples Day (2nd Monday in October).
There are no other required observances. The policy does not dictate how it should be commemorated, but an assembly seems a reasonable approach.
For another, Indigenous people are only asking for one assembly that would celebrate indigenous culture and recognize injustices done to more than 500 separate tribes in the US alone, as well as hundreds of Canadian First Nations and tribes of indigenous peoples in Mexico, Central and South America, over the course of more than half a century. There is no request to have a separate assembly to commemorate the Trail of Tears, the Wounded Knee Massacre, Colonial Wrights horse slaughter on the banks of the Spokane, and a thousand other massacres, relocations, and broken treaties. There is no request for a separate assembly for the Lakota, Tlingit, Yakima, and Coast Salish, even though there are hundreds of separate Native cultures, speaking 800 different languages in 26 separate language groups.
So, no, this does not create a precedent for every ethnic group to have its own assembly. It does seem reasonable though for there to be assemblies or some other sort of events to recognize African-American, Asian, and Latino/Hispanic identity, culture, and history. That's 4 assemblies per year. I think the kids can handle that.
How about follow the IDEA month!
Wow really
"Disability History Month: Shall be observed during the month of October by conducting or promoting educational activities such as school assemblies or guest speaker presentations that provide instruction, awareness and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities."
How many schools follow that?
Veterans Day is supposed to involve at least 60 minutes of educational activities pertaining to Veterans during the week.
tami