Statement on Commitment to Inclusion and Acceptance
The following statement from the administration & School Board on the Upper Perkiomen School District’s commitment to inclusion and acceptance was sent to the district community on June 2, 2020.
Like so many individuals and communities across the country, the Upper Perkiomen School District administration & School Board has been deeply saddened and troubled by the events over the last three weeks, including the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the resulting unrest across our nation.
As a public school district, which is committed to helping and supporting ALL children succeed and achieve, we feel, given the current environment in our country, that it is vital to re-emphasize UPSD’s commitment to inclusion and acceptance. We will not tolerate hate and will stand against racism.
Over the past year, our district has re-committed itself to establishing a culture of kindness and unity, with the hope that all of our students and community members feel welcomed, included, supported and heard, no matter their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or background.
While we recognize that this statement alone will do very little to overcome the bias, hate, and racism experienced by so many Americans for generations, we know that it is important to stand with our marginalized citizens, and to reaffirm that everyone is welcome in the Upper Perkiomen School District. We strive for our schools to be a safe haven for our students, and places to learn and grow within a community encouraging kindness and support.
Our students and staff members are experiencing a range of emotions, and every one of those emotions is justified. In this time of isolation and At-Home Learning, our students need the connection to our faculty and staff members more than ever. We encourage our students to reach out to a trusted teacher or their school counselor. We encourage our staff to take advantage of all available resources provided by our Employee Assistance Program. Finally, we urge every member of our community to listen to and support one another. We must take time to listen to and learn from one another. The safety of our schools and our community is rooted in a foundation of mutual respect and trust for all.
UPSD Administration & Board of School Directors
Resources for Parents and Students: