Lowell BSU 2020–2021 Demands
- Lowell BSU officers fully support Resolution №212–2A1 which calls for Lowell Admissions to be removed and an equity audit to take place. We urge all Board Commissioners to vote yes on this resolution and support Black students and communities. We not only urge the Board to support the resolution but also base the Equity Audit and subsequent recommendations on the following 2021 BSU demands.
We urge the following be considered if Resolution №212–2A1 is not passed…
2. Create a “Lowell Application Day” specifically for Black students to receive help and support from Black students on their Lowell application. During this day EPC staff should be present to give information about the Lowell application and high school process. Food and space should be provided by Lowell!
3. Ensure that all 8th grade students that identify as underrepresented groups at Lowell receive support with the Lowell application from their counselors.
4. The Lowell application process must be thoroughly vetted to ensure it is equity-focused, taking into account; socioeconomic status and race.
5. Include underrepresented groups at Lowell in all efforts to ensure an equity centered application process.
6. Demands 2–5 should be completed before October 2021.
The remainder of our demands go as follows…
7. We urge SFUSD to partner with community based organizations to develop weekend programs where Black students K-12 can be supported and taught by teachers in efforts to close the opportunity gap. This program should ensure that K-12 students are at the grade reading level, meeting grade and test standards, and prepared for college. A partnership with community organizations ensures we reach the maximum amount of Black students and no child is left behind.
8. Develop an inaugural program for all underrepresented students during the summer before their freshman year. This program should prepare students for Lowell academics and create a community within their peers.
9. Recruit and retain students of color from underrepresented and underserved SFUSD middle schools. During recruitment, each cultural club (BSU, Polynesian, Filipino-American, and La Raza) should have at least one representative present during recruitment.
10. During freshman orientation, state here is a zero tolerance policy on racism and discrimination for staff and students. Include that if this policy is not followed disciplinary actions will be taken.
11. Make it mandatory to have one member from each of the following cultural clubs (BSU, Polynesian, Filipino-American, and La Raza) be included on all equity efforts on organized bodies like committees and councils associated with Lowell. Examples are the CCT, SSC, PTSA, and more.
12. Establish an Admin Advisory Committee composed of student leaders working in cohorts with the Lowell Student Association to advise administration and provide input on decisions made by Admin.
- Committee made up of each class board President, SBC President, Community Liaison, a representative for all cultural clubs (BSU, Polynesian, Filipino-American, and La Raza), and SFUSD Student Delegate if applicable from Lowell.
13. We demand an Office of Equity be established at Lowell led by staff who are people of color to ensure there will be a system where students can report on issues of racism directly to staff who are trained to support and report these issues.
- Each of the following Cultural Clubs (BSU, Polynesian, Filipino-American, La Raza) appoint a senior representative that will support and inform the team.
14. We demand the Ethinic studies becomes a graduation requirement. Lowell must work with SFUSDs SFUSD Equity Task Force and Ethnic Studies team to develop a less eurocentric curriculum.
15. We demand mandatory implicit bias training for Lowell staff and students led by trained adult professionals that teach social and cultural competency. Participation benchmarks should be presented to the Board of Education and school community. Lowell should not receive any additional equity funding if a participation benchmark of 80% is not met.
16. We demand that Timothy E. Gray be terminated based on failure to do job title entails. Timothy Gray has failed to keep in constant contact with students, provide academic information, and support during the college application process. The concerns about Mr. Gray’s inability to do his job duties have been expressed since 2016.
17. Once a new African American Recruitment Officer is hired they must contribute to recruitment efforts, students success, and ACTIVELY engage with Black Students.
18. Allow two BSU officers to be a part of the interview and selection process of the African American Officer.
19. We demand that Dr. Elizabeth Statmore be reassigned based on her course of action on social media.
20. We ask that Holly Giles be terminated immediately based on her course of action. Specifically her actions during a community meeting when she said “I have resigned. Shavonne you got your way. I’m gone.” If she is able to harbor feelings against a student she shouldn’t be working with them at all. She has yet to apologize to the student she made the comment about.
21. We call for the termination of Dacotah Swett at the end of the 2020–2021 school year for failure to ensure a safe learning environment for Lowell students. As our Principal she has failed to stop the cycle of complacency in Lowell’s administration. She has also yet to reach out to BSU to meet or apologize despite claiming she is partnering with Lowell BSU.
22. We call on SFUSD to enact a Nationwide search to find a Principal who is actively committed to anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion. The Principal should have a two year contract to which they will regularly report to the Board of Education about school climate. They will present a list of challenges and or faculty members who are impeding the progress.
23. All demands should be complete by the 2021–2022 school year. Demands 16–22 should be completed by the end of the 2020–2021 school year.