BOE Statement March 19, 2021

AAPS Stands with Our Asian American Community

Board of Education and Superintendent Statement

The Ann Arbor Public Schools stand strong against all acts of bias, bigotry and racism. It is a heartbreaking time this week as we have experienced the murders of eight people, including six Asian American women, in Atlanta that has brought into focus the disturbing trend of increasing hate incidents targeting the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities (AAPI). 

These tragic events, born of intolerance and hate, have emerged as part of an unfortunate pattern over time, one we have witnessed during this COVID pandemic year. Today, and every day, we must continue and deepen our commitment to work against racist attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that give rise to such atrocious acts.  

In addition to speaking out publicly, we must also willingly confront the significant work to dismantle white supremacy. As we know, this important work begins within ourselves, our teams, in our classrooms and across our schools to support each other in this ongoing process to eradicate intolerance and hate.

In the Ann Arbor Public Schools, we are committed to nurturing anti-racist educational learning environments where each and every child, staff member, parent and family are respected and valued for who they are regardless of race or ethnicity, skin color, gender, sexual identity or orientation, ability or disability or any other category. 

We extend our support and partnership to our AAPI students and staff, parents, families and community. We understand that many in our Ann Arbor community may be experiencing fear as a result of these troubling incidents of hate across the nation and may be asking themselves if they are safe in their schools, neighborhoods and in our community. 

We will continue to live our value of welcoming and embracing all and reassuring everyone within our community of our ongoing engagement and support. This we owe to ourselves and each other for our children and the future we want to share in our Ann Arbor Public Schools community.

Our AAPS team - teachers, support staff and leaders - remain ready to support any among our children, staff members and families who are experiencing distress and ask those in need to reach out to an adult in our AAPS community. 

To report acts of hate, individuals can contact the Department of the Attorney General Hate Crimes Unit by phone at 313-456-0200 or by email at HateCrimes@michigan.gov.

Together in the Ann Arbor Public Schools, we stand strong in support and partnership alongside the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities here in Ann Arbor and across the country.

Sincerely, 

The Board of Education and 
Jeanice K. Swift, Superintendent of Schools 
Ann Arbor Public Schools

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Important Resources

We are grateful to offer these resources, shared by Hannah Kohn, LLMSW, Clague social worker, for those who may appreciate additional information. 

Also, these resources, shared by Ms. Nhu Do, M.Ed, WiHi Principal, may be helpful as well.  

Anti-Asian bystander intervention training, mental health resources, reporting hate crimes, and more: 
https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co 

Speaking up against coronavirus racism:
https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/speaking-up-against-racism-around-the-coronavirus

How to Respond to Covid Racism:
https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/how-to-respond-to-coronavirus-racism

Anger and Fear among Asian Americans:
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/12/966940217/anger-and-fear-as-asian-american-seniors-targeted-in-bay-area-attacks

Coronavirus Racism and Xenophobia:
https://www.npr.org/2020/03/09/813700167/as-coronavirus-spreads-racism-and-xenophobia-are-too