Hateful Vandalism at WES, Investigation Ongoing
Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille began his remarks at the school board meeting on Monday, November 22, by expressing deep concern about graffiti recently found on Wallingford Elementary School property. He noted that the graffiti, which included a racial slur, was a “gross violation of the school district’s commitment, in its mission statement, to “respect for self and others” and “leadership in the global community” — and he assured those gathered that the district is conducting an investigation into the matter.
He added that he and the board are working to ensure that all students understand what it means to live in an inclusive community and to disagree respectfully. In support of that goal, he recommended that everyone watch (or re-watch) the 2016 documentary, I Am Not Your Negro, narrated by the actor Samuel L. Jackson, which explores the history of racism in the United States through James Baldwin’s recollections of the civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. He concluded by saying, “The road is long, and we will travel [it] together.”
Health and Safety Policy
On the topic of mask mandates, Dr. Marseille noted that circumstances have changed since the state-wide mask mandate was put in place, and that the district is in a very different place from last fall: vaccinations are available and COVID rates have changed. He therefore plans to work with the board to start putting together a policy at its next legislative meeting, along the lines of the guidance that was in place before the state-wide mandate. To accomplish that goal, he said, it will be vital for parents to share up-to-date student vaccination information with school administrators. They can share that information in three ways:
In person. Show your student(s)’ vaccination card to the staff in your school’s main office.
Via email. Send a photo or scan of your student(s)’ vaccination card, to dsweeney@wssd.org.
Via PowerSchool
Log in to PowerSchool.
Click on “Forms” on the left-hand side.
Scroll down to “Health”
Click on “COVID-19 Vaccination Information.”
Enter the dates of your student(s)’ vaccination(s) and upload an image of their vaccination card(s).
Dr. Marseille reminded those present that the district has partnered with the Springfield Pharmacy to provide vaccinations, and that its vaccination clinics will be held on November 29, December 20, and January 12, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Strath Haven High School cafeteria.
Board president David Grande concurred with Dr. Marseille’s description of the board’s plans for developing a health and safety plan for the new year. He said that board members hope the district will be able to move toward pre-COVID conditions by relaxing some of the current restrictions. He emphasized that the board’s number-one goal is to keep students in school for in-person learning.
Dr. Grande also noted that, at the board’s annual reorganizational meeting on Monday, December 6, he would like it to consider holding legislative meetings once a month instead of twice, now that a robust committee structure has been put in place. The new committee structure includes separate committees devoted to finance, facilities, policy, and educational affairs, which meet once a month. Members of the public are invited to attend those meetings, which include time for them to engage with committee members on issues of concern to them.
Goodbyes
Dr. Grande and board member Jennifer Lentz both expressed their thanks to departing board members Amy Caruso and Matt Sullivan for having volunteered to serve on the board to make up for some unexpected resignations. Ms. Lentz noted that she appreciated and admired their having signed on during the pandemic, especially considering the climate in the community and the country at the time.
Mr. Sullivan responded that it had been an honor to serve the community and to work with the district’s amazing teachers and dedicated administrators. Ms. Caruso, who has been actively involved in the district for many years, responded by thanking the board for the opportunity to serve the wider school district community, and said that she looks forward to continuing to serve the school community in other ways.
The following message was sent out as an email to all WSSD families.
November 22, 2021
Dear WSSD Families and Community,
As Thanksgiving week begins, this is not the message that I wished to write to you. This morning, I was extremely disheartened and saddened to learn that a racial slur, the N-word, was written on two exterior doors at WES. Mr. [Gabriel] Savage is working with the Nether Providence Police Department to investigate and see what more we can learn about what happened and who is responsible.
In the meantime, I want to be clear, hate will not be allowed to live here. Unfortunately, this is not the first incident where someone has offended our family with this type of language. As we continue the important work that needs to be done, I would like to think that this will be the last.
However, we know that unless every single member of this community does their part in helping to educate themselves, their colleagues, and their friends about what it means to be culturally proficient, what it means to live in an inclusive community, and what it means to have dignity of belonging, change will not happen. This is why my work—our work—with equity and the implementation of an equity audit—will lay the foundation for this to become systemic work. Part of the task we are undertaking is to identify student ambassadors in each school who will work with cultural proficiency teacher-leaders to make this endeavor integral to WSSD.
I believe that cultural proficiency work tied to diversity, equity and inclusion belongs in every single building and is a responsibility that we all carry. It must become the fabric of our institution and the community rather than just individuals working alone. As I have shared with you in my Entry Plan and in our community conversations, we must first get to know each other before we can have difficult conversations. Let’s continue to get to know each other, share our stories, and work together.
I ask our community to take ownership of this work. We have fallen short so many times before and that is why this work has to be deliberate and intentional. When incidents like this occur, we must and will come together to collectively address them and heal.
I will follow up with Mr. Savage regarding this incident, and we will let you know of any updates. I want to stress to you that we are determined to do what is necessary to eradicate hate and continue to promote belonging, inclusivity, and acceptance in our schools.
Stay Safe,
Wagner Marseille, Ed.D.
You can view a recording of this meeting of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board on YouTube.
