HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-03-2007-11aMEMORANDUM
TO: Laura Blackmon
County Manager
FROM: James Spivey
DATE: April 23, 2007
RE: UPDATE: Cedar Ridge High School
As update regarding threats and allegations of discrimination against Latino students at Cedar Ridge High
School, I submit the following:
MARCH 15, 2007: STUDENT MEDIATION
A mediated session was held between the student victims and the perpetuators. A mediator from
the Orange County Dispute Settlement Center led the session. Inquiry was made as to whether a
representative from the HRC and staff could attend the student mediation. The mediator felt it would be
counterproductive with adults present; school administrators were not present (inside the room where the
mediated session transpired) during the mediation.
After the mediated session, the Director of Student Services reported that the session went well
for all parties involved. The students completed and left the mediation with the understanding that the
situation (hostilities and threats) had been fully resolved. To this end, all the students signed contracts
stipulating a commitment to avoid any repeat situations of a similar nature.
Staff asked the Director of Student Services whether school administrators would be amenable to
meet with the Latino parents to reach an understanding regarding this matter. The Director of Student
Services assured staff that school administrators were available to meet with the parents.
MARCH 22, 2007: PARENTS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS MEETING
The meeting with the Latino parents, school administrators including a translator, staff and HRC
representative took place. Present: Three Latino parents, Mr. Gary Thornburg, Principal; Ms. Dorothy
McGirt, Assistant Principal; Ms. Anne Purcell, Student Services Director; Officer H.L. Durham, School
Resource Officer (attended only briefly); Wanda Rittenhouse, a translator from the school; Dr. Barbara
Chapman, HRC Member; Ms. Marlyn Valeiko, LEP Coordinator; and James Spivey.
The major issues addressed were: 1) students' safety on school buses and school campus; and 2)
Latino parents' ability to gain access to school administrators. The parents voiced their concerns and the
school administrators responded with the following proposed immediate actions:
/ Students who feel unsafe should immediately contact a school administrator (principal,
assistant principals, teacher, school resource officer)
/ A student Human Relations Commission is to be created in an effort to get students talking
about and addressing diversity issues within the school
/ A breakfast will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2007 at the school for parents to come to the
school and interact with teachers and students
Staff asked whether the Student's Code of Conduct was available in Spanish. School
administrators stated that printing the Student's Code of Conduct in Spanish is a task that the school
system anticipates doing. Staff suggested that the Student's Code of Conduct should be available in
Spanish for distribution to the Latino parents to ensure that policies and procedures are fully understood.
The question was posed, "How does a parent get immediate attention from school
administrators?" The Principal explained that if parents called first, it would facilitate the appropriate
school administrators/teachers being informed about absenteeism, concerns parents might have, and/or
any other issues. Additional conversation transpired and both the parents and school administrators
agreed upon the following:
1. If aSpanish-speaking parent - or any parent -comes to school seeking an audience with
the principal and the principal is unavailable for any reason:
a. someone of authority will meet with the parent to hear the parent's concerns, and
b. this person of authority will ensure that the parent's concerns are immediately
conveyed to the principal or the principal's designee (whichever is applicable at
the time).
2. School Administrators will distribute school telephone numbers that Spanish-speaking
parents can telephone and leave a message in Spanish regarding concerns the parent
might have, absenteeism, etc.
a. Spanish-speaking school staff members would be responsible for answering and
responding to telephone calls made to and/or message left on these school
telephone number.
MARCH 29, 2007: CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL BREAKFAST g+'ORUM
The Principal stated that his intentions for the forum were to encourage open dialogue and
questions and 1) establish communication between the parents, students, staff, faculty and administration
at CRHS, 2) share information, 3) convey to the parents that CRHS appreciates diversity and what each of
their children bring to CRHS, and 4) assist all students to understand, appreciate and respect different
culture. He explained security measures that exist at CRHS to ensure students' safety.
A handout of Preguntas Frecuentes (Frequently Asked Questions) and a brochure of North
Carolina High School course requirements (Spanish version) were distributed to everyone present. The
handout of questions contained: phone numbers, names and positions of school staff. The parents
expressed a sense of inclusion regarding the Spanish version of the handout.
The meeting ended with everyone agreeing to continue communicating.
However, the HRC acknowledges that this matter requires ongoing attention and monitoring. In order for
this matter to be successfully addressed, all parties must be committed to this effort and engage in honest
communication.
To date, staff was contacted once and it was determined that the language barrier caused
misunderstanding by a Latina parent. However, staff placing a telephone call to the Assistant Principal
whereupon the Latina parent was personally contacted immediately resolved the matter.
Please let me know if additional information is required.
/jes
Cedar Riclge Uprlnte Page 2 of 2 April 23, 2007