***READ ENTIRE PETITION HERE***

We, the current students, alumni, parents, and community of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), are writing to you regarding what we feel are the insufficient ways in which systemic racism is currently being addressed in FCPS’ curricula and culture. To express our disappointment surrounding the district’s lack of concrete action, we are calling on FCPS to address the community with a detailed plan of actionable steps taking into account our four requests, detailed below.

FCPS has played an important role in providing a safe and encouraging place for us to grow as students and world citizens. We have each had our lives positively impacted by the care of hardworking teachers and staff who opened our minds to a range of issues, fields, and passions. In a school system that is home to students who speak over 200 languages, FCPS prides itself on the racial and cultural diversity of its students and staff. However, there is a deficiency in our classrooms regarding education on issues of structural, institutional, individual, and systemic racism. Thus, we are calling for action to be made in the existing curricula and culture, for this action to be overseen by a committee that is responsible and responsive to all stakeholders in the County, and a public statement released by the FCPS School Board committing to lasting change.

We know that this proposal is the beginning of an ongoing conversation between our administration, community, and student body. The basis of justice, equity, and change begins with a properly educated and informed generation. We propose a list of tangible actions which are available to be read here.