Seylar Families,

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After the August 23rd Pennridge School Board meeting, we have received multiple questions regarding the School Board’s decision to stop Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) activities at the individual school level including Home and School committees and at the District level with stopping the Pennridge’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative.  Please see the Seylar Home and School Association Board statement below (not the School District’s statement):

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The Seylar Home and School Association’s mission has always been to assist in creating a strong inclusive environment for our children that is filled with positivity, school spirit and pride. It is a cooperative effort between administrators, teachers, staff and our Seylar families. We have also always been transparent, and, in that continuing effort, we want to inform all of our Seylar Families that during the August 23, 2021, Pennridge School Board Meeting, the School Board voted to stop all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion information from being referenced within the school building. This includes any HSA led Diversity efforts. The School Board has left us no choice but to dissolve the Seylar Diversity Committee until further notice.  We would also add that Dr. Bolton, our Superintendent, publicly mentioned at the school board meeting, that “this has not been the district's recommendation, the administrative recommendation in terms of a step forward.”

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At the meeting, it was also announced that the Pennridge School Board is forming an Ad-Hoc Committee to help evaluate the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion needs in the district and to make recommendations to the Board for steps moving forward. We will continue to stay closely connected to any news coming out of this new committee and evaluate what it means for Seylar HSA Diversity activities.

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Although diversity and inclusion has always been part of who we are as a Seylar community, last year in order to further our mission the Seylar Diversity Committee was created. The goals of the committee were to:

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· Foster an inclusive environment at Seylar Elementary that celebrates our diverse community while enabling every student, family, and staff member to thrive.

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· Encourage everyone to bring their whole self to the school, share their unique experience and seek to understand others.

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Like all home and school committees, the Diversity committee was comprised of a group of Seylar Parent volunteers and was open to all who wanted to attend meetings or join the committee and participate. Committee meetings were designed to allow a space for anyone to contribute ideas, submit requests for activities or broach any topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion within Seylar. The group led efforts such as the Taste of Culture cookbook, bi-monthly bulletin boards highlighting various cultures/events/celebrations, Facebook posts of different observances, holidays and celebrations, as well as a student design contest to create a diversity t-shirt.

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We are greatly disappointed by what we have been forced to do, however, please know that this decision will in no way prevent the HSA from helping every Seylar student thrive.

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As a board, we strongly feel that the mission of the diversity committee aligned with our overall goals which we will continue to work towards. We exist for the students, to enrich their experience at Seylar and foster a partnership between Seylar families, teachers and staff. We will continue to work with our Seylar community as we have for so many years. We will continue to be Seylar Proud!

 

Sincerely,

Seylar HSA Board Members