Parent Groups Respond to Supt. Williams’ Plea
A coalition of parent groups are responding to Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams’ plea for parents to talk to children about their behavior and safety concerns at schools, on buses, and downtown, with the following statement: “We are concerned that the systemic issues related to the root cause of unsafe student behaviors and situations are being overlooked. It is unfair, inequitable, and ineffective to blame students and parents when collaboration with all stakeholder groups, including students and families, is necessary to address underlying issues and achieve solutions.
Related to issues with students downtown: There are five high schools who release students downtown and around Fountain Plaza within a limited time window. It is reasonable to expect that there is a fair amount of congestion and adolescent energy in this area for a period of time given these circumstances. BPS directing students not to gather in groups and not to go to places like parks or libraries, but rather to “return home where it is safe” fails to address the physical, social, and emotional needs of adolescents- many of whom live in homes and neighborhoods where lack of safety is significant. The current strategies of increasing police and security presence and threatening to take away bus passes does not seem to be resolving unsafe behaviors, and is creating stress and anxiety for the vast majority of students and families who have done nothing wrong and rely on NFTA passes for children to get to and from school. We must speak directly with students and their parents to understand their needs so that we can increase school and community capacity for healthy places for youth to go and positive things for them to do after school where they can socialize and connect with their peers, as is normal and healthy for teenagers.
Related to the incidents of school violence: Our children are dealing with unprecedented challenges in regards to their health and well-being, including recovery from learning loss during COVID-19 school closures, social media, bullying, mental health, lack of safe affordable housing and healthy/fresh food, domestic and community level violence, lead poisoning, and more. While the District has a stated commitment to trauma-informed approaches, restorative practices, and student wellness, more investment is needed to align policies, practices, and programs and track outcomes in these areas. Students who have significant behavior challenges are concentrated at particular schools, and often face school exclusion/suspension versus receiving the appropriate help they need through a safety plan, Behavior Intervention Plan, etc.
Our parent groups are a resource for families, schools, and the District. We are parents ourselves and have an intimate understanding of these problems since we are directly impacted and are engaged on a daily basis in collaboration and problemsolving to resolve issues for our own children and as family advocates. Students act in inappropriate ways when they have an unmet need. As adults we must honestly, directly, and compassionately address these issues and work together to create appropriate strategies to mitigate and prevent aggression instead of demeaning and punishing families. School-Based Management Teams and School Wellness Teams that include school staff, parents, caregivers, students, and community partners could assist us to collaborate more effectively so that every student has the opportunity to be healthy, safe, and supported.”