Education Week - November 30, 2016 - 13

2016 ELECTIONS

Transition

A Divisive Presidential Election Spills Into Schools

urbulence and tensions following a divisive presidential election have spilled into schools in the
weeks since.
As demonstrators took to streets in some communities to express anger at the election of Donald Trump,
thousands of students joined the protests by walking out of
schools in cities such as Los Angeles; Omaha, Neb.; Seattle; and
Washington. The largest demonstrations unfolded in communities
where Hillary Clinton drew widespread support at the ballot box.
Many students-most of them not yet able to vote-said they
weren't questioning the results of the election, but were seeking an
outlet to express concerns over racism and fears either they, or people they know, have experienced since the GOP nominee's victory.
Inside schools, students and teachers reported racist graffiti, hurtful bullying infused with political jabs, and fears of

deportation being expressed by children who are immigrants
or whose parents are immigrants.
In Vice President-elect Mike Pence's hometown of Bartholomew,
Ind., students taunted their Hispanic peers with chants of "build
that wall!" Members of the St. Louis-area NAACP met with school
officials in Missouri's Ladue school district after white students
there chanted "Trump! Trump! Trump!" and told black students
to move to the back of a bus.
And, after multiple days of student walkouts, the school board in
the Los Angeles Unified district passed a resolution calling for "necessary outlets for expression, learning, communication, and information by the LAUSD family" including a possible "day of understanding" for students and a hotline to request support or information.
Here's a sampling of how school and district leaders around the
country have responded to the events.
-EVIE BLAD

SWASTIKAS
"I think we need to double down
on our efforts about respect,
knowledge of one another, and
understanding where people are
coming from. I think it's a really
important time to be an educator."
-ALISON L. SERINO, Principal

Westland Middle School
Bethesda, Md.

in an interview with The Washington Post after
swastikas were found drawn in a boys' bathroom

"Our school system will not tolerate
actions that demonstrate a lack of
understanding and respect for our
differences. Evidence of our commitment
to addressing these situations is easily
found as our building administrators and
staff members have been diligent in their
efforts to communicate expectations,
provide counsel to those in need, and
deliver corrective measures as warranted.
"We will continue this diligence to
ensure that all students feel safe and
secure within the confines of our
school buildings. In order to maximize
the effectiveness of our actions, we ask
that students and families report any
concern to the teacher or school
administrator closest to the issue so
that it can be immediately addressed.
"In addition, we request the
contributions of all stakeholders in the
community in order to most effectively
assist with the raw feelings that currently
exist. Regardless of our political leanings,
it is imperative that we address each other
in a civil manner, openly communicate,
and actively demonstrate respect and
appreciation."
-JIM ROBERTS, Superintendent

Bartholomew, Ind., School District
in a statement posted in English and Spanish after
students taunted their Hispanic peers with
chants of "build that wall!"

STUDENT, TEACHER WALKOUT

"They're angry. They're
crying and they feel unsafe.
There's a great amount of
solidarity."
-SAM PASAROW, Principal,

Berkeley High School, Berkeley, Calif.

in a TV interview after students and teachers
walked out in protest

BULLYING
"Students should feel safe in school. Harassment
of any kind is not to be tolerated. These reported
actions go strongly against American principles.
Any form of bullying is inappropriate and can be
extremely detrimental to the quality education
Utah espouses. Every report of this type of behavior
should be taken seriously by educators and parents.
In Utah, we care about each other. As a community,
we need to come together in supportive and safe
environments. We encourage students to reach out
in friendship and support to others, including those
who may look, sound, or think differently than
themselves. As a nation, we need more kindness,
and we believe Utah can lead the way."
-Utah Gov. GARY HERBERT and
State Superintendent SYDNEE DICKSON

in a joint statement after reports of
election-related bullying and incidents

STUDENT PROTESTS
"These are important
conversations that need to take
place. We want our students to
know they are not alone. However,
it is critical that students not allow
their sentiments to derail their
education or for their actions to
place them in danger. Students
should limit their activities to
noninstructional time and-for
their own safety and to follow the
law-they should remain on
campus.
"We believe the best place to
discuss concerns is in school with
caring teachers and staff. Our
schools are utilizing assemblies,
classroom dialogues, speaking
activities, and our restorativejustice programs to provide a secure
forum for our students."
-MICHELLE KING, Superintendent
Los Angeles Unified School District
in a statement released after students walked out
of schools to protest Trump's victory

AT TOP: Nurya Temam, center front, a
sophomore at Northwest School in Seattle,
cheers with other students who walked out of
classes as they protested the election of
Donald Trump as president.

Elaine Thompson/AP

'BUILD THAT WALL!'

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Education Week - November 30, 2016

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