A Message from BISD Administrators:

Dear BISD Community,

As parents, staff and community members, we are asking for your assistance in helping us reinforce the strong values our school district has surrounding equity, empathy, kindness and respect. To be transparent and to recognize that this a community-wide issue, not just a school one, we need to share with you that there have been recent incidents involving students making anti-Semitic remarks. It is important to note that in addition to the anti-Semitic remarks, we have also dealt with students making biased and hurtful comments toward other groups who are protected by Washington State Law.

While these events are not rampant, BISD does not tolerate any example of hate or derogatory speech and these behaviors must be taken seriously. Every BISD student has the right to be accepted and feel safe.

Although some of these unacceptable incidents have occurred on school campuses, others have occurred off school grounds, including on social media. This is where we truly need every person's support to uphold our responsibility to address hate and derogatory speech whenever we have the opportunity.

We ask that parents and guardians speak openly with their children about how hate and derogatory speech is harmful, hateful or degrading in nature, and reinforce the important values of tolerance and acceptance. A great resource to help navigate your conversation is:

• Anti-Bias Education from the Anti-Defamation League
  
  

When investigating the recent incidents, several individuals did not recognize the impact of their words. We repeatedly heard the phrase, "I was just joking around.” Any form of racism, hate speech, anti-Semitism or marginalization is unacceptable — even those under the guise of a joke. Unfortunately, this form of hate speech is widespread on television shows, in music lyrics and online memes that some students are viewing. We encourage you to monitor your student’s online behavior and actively discuss how jokes about one’s identity are hurtful, demeaning and isolating.

Students who engage in harassment are held accountable with appropriate consequences as outlined in our district’s policies and procedures. As educators, we know that this issue cannot be solved by reactionary means alone. In fact, we know the most effective way to address these problems is through increased education and awareness on how hate speech impacts our school community. BISD is currently in the process of looking at our curriculum surrounding the topics of marginalized groups to see where additional lessons can be included. In addition, we are using our focus on social-emotional health as a starting point to address hate speech directly.  

BISD is committed to making positive changes in our schools in order to provide a safe and supportive environment that is free of harassment. As we move forward together, if you hear about any instance of hate speech, exclusion, or persecution involving our students, please contact the school building administrator immediately. You can also alert us via the Report a Concern portal located on our website.

Together, we can foster a community that is caring, compassionate and celebrates diversity.

Sincerely,

Peter Bang-Knudsen
Superintendent

Erin Murphy
Assistant Superintendent

Sheryl Belt
Associate Superintendent and Interim Principal for Commodore Options

Kristen Haizlip
BHS Principal

Mike Florian
WMS Principal

Jim Corsetti
Sakai Principal

Reese Ande
Blakely Principal

Melinda Reynvaan
Ordway Principal

Amii Pratt
Wilkes Principal