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Today we celebrate Juneteenth, Freedom Day, commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. It’s fitting that last night, the Board of Education unanimously approved Commitment to Black Students, a resolution declaring our District’s unequivocal commitment to and responsibility for ensuring that all Black students fulfill their potential to achieve academically and socio-emotionally.
Although slavery was abolished over 150 years ago, the vestiges of slavery are still with us. We must do more to ensure that all of our students have a fair opportunity to receive the best education possible that prepares them to take their place in society, be healthy, and to thrive.
This resolution is a starting point for us and we will be working diligently and in collaboration over the next months and years to ensure that our systems and policies all work together to benefit our students.
Education has long been a key to long-term social and economic change. Our motto at PUSD is “Our Children. Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.”
We need to empower our students with access to a quality education and motivation to do their very best so they can be leaders in changing and correcting the remaining vestiges of racism and disparity in our society.
Our District’s policy on equity states that, in education, equity is the notion that EACH and EVERY learner will receive the necessary resources they need individually to thrive in PUSD’s schools regardless of their national origin, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, first language, religion, or other distinguishing characteristics.
Every employee must unequivocally commit to being an equity warrior.
Educational equity ensures that every student can achieve at their highest potential, attain high academic outcomes, and experience equitable opportunities to learn with achievement gaps nonexistent at any level.
As equity warriors, each of us, regardless of our role in a school or in the district, must passionately lead and embrace the mission of educational equity for all students.
We each have the power to influence teaching and learning. I encourage you to work with us in the coming months as we take bold action to fulfill our solemn duty and actualize our mission to provide a caring, engaging, and challenging educational experience for every student, every day.
Sincerely,
Brian McDonald
Superintendent
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