Vancouver Public Schools stands with our community as we share and respond to the profound shock, anger and sadness resulting from the killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and so many more Black people in our country. Those senseless deaths show how police brutality and systemic racism continue to plague our society.
Black lives matter to us.
This is our moral imperative—to end the inequity, injustice, persecution and racism. Silence from our institutions is not an acceptable response, and neither is inaction. Educators have an elevated level of responsibility to be leaders in this change.
Last week we announced an equity initiative with significant investments and action steps we will take in the coming weeks and throughout the next school year.
We will reexamine our policies and practices and redouble our efforts to be an inclusive and accepting community of learners. Through this initiative, VPS will contribute to the dismantling of systemic racism and discrimination to create a more just and fair school district and community.
Racist and prejudicial behavior by students, staff, parents or others is not welcome or tolerated at our schools. We care deeply about our students. We are committed, fully, to assuring them a climate of respect and trust, free from explicit or implicit bias.
Steve Webb, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Vancouver Public Schools