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Kriekard: New initiative to increase awareness, respect of Scottsdale's diversity

'We will make even more significant strides as we work together'

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The recent events surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd and all that is represented by the atrocity provide an opportunity for change.

I share in the concern and compassion felt by so many for the hurt and suffering of people in the community.

I also have felt great disappointment and outrage over many years over cases of brutality toward our friends and neighbors. I became a public educator in 1972 because of the injustices and inequalities that I saw and wanted to help young people improve our national response to such issues.

I believed then, as I do now, that education not only can be --- but must be --- a part of the solution. Clearly, there is more to do. We all must commit ourselves to treat each other with respect and take action in the circles in which we travel to eliminate the bias and inequality that still exists in our society and systems.

SUSD must embrace its role in how this is achieved when it comes to educating youth, to ensure that this district contributes positively to inclusion, equity, diversity and opportunity in our classrooms, in our schools or in our district operations.

One of our traditions for more than two decades has been to host Valley high school students for the Community Celebrating Diversity’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Voices program. This event celebrates the ideals of Dr. King and encourages new generations to apply his teachings to their lives.

Throughout the past year, our administrators have organized events for students to encourage an open dialogue around embracing diversity in our schools.

District administrators have had an ongoing partnership with the City of Scottsdale’s “Scottsdale for All” initiative that promotes the uniqueness of our community. While we have been actively pursuing ways to provide opportunities for all and to eliminate inequalities on all fronts, we know that there is more work to do.

On the evening of Tuesday, June 9, during the Governing Board meeting that begins at 5 p.m., you will hear an announcement about an initiative that SUSD is undertaking later this summer to bring students, administrators and teachers together to develop an action plan to increase awareness, respect and celebration of our diversity.

Dr. Sackos, the assistant superintendent for secondary education, will be leading this project. We invite the community to tune in to this live YouTube broadcast. The meeting agenda is available through www.susd.org/Board.

As a show of solidarity to the people demonstrating peacefully for change, SUSD will turn on the lights at all five of our high school football fields on Tuesday, June 9, at 8:46 p.m. for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to honor the movement inspired by the tragic death of George Floyd.

We hope that this gesture helps the community focus on building trust and respect while working together toward meaningful change.

SUSD acknowledges its responsibility in shaping the community. We will make even more significant strides as we work together to promote the inclusion, equity and fair treatment of all people.

Editor’s Note: Dr. John Kriekard is serving as superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District through June 30.