Over the past month, we have witnessed an outpouring of support for the Black Lives Matter movement, the demand for accountability, and rally cries calling to action both public and private institutions to do more in the face of racial inequities and injustice. We applaud the decision of the North Hills School Board and district to publicly “stand in solidarity against any and all acts of racism, disrespect, and inequitable treatment of persons of color.” This declaration is a valiant statement, especially because the district recognized the importance of a "journey” and “open and honest conversations” to further action and critical dialogue as a community, district, and the governing body of elected officials.

The call to action is also courageous because it requires overcoming one of the most difficult challenges an institution, culture, and person can undertake - learning and accepting how white supremacy, racism, oppression, and concentrated power has shaped who we are as individuals and acknowledging the effort it takes to unwind our own identity from the greater system of institutionalized racism. It is a move from being “against” racism to being an active, anti-racist. The statement put forth signaled that the district was ready and willing to take courageous steps towards active anti-racism.

Regardless of our background or the color of our skin, we can all agree that public schools and districts must lead on moving equity from policy to practice and take steps to create learning and living environments in support of all. Native American mascots, symbols, and images have been shown through research to harm kids and families. We cannot uphold a system and a mascot that values white lives over others. Niceties and comfort-centered rules of engagement have kept racist systems of oppression alive and well functioning for hundreds of years.

Now is the time to change the mascot and honor the history of the North Hills School District and the dedication to living our values.

We, North Hills Students, Faculty, Graduates, Community Members, Businesses, Elected Officials and Concerned Citizens, call on the school district to: 

1. RETIRE THE NATIVE INDIAN NAME, MASCOT, IMAGES, AND PERSONALITY: Provide an immediate transition plan outlining steps the NHSD will take to remove the racist naming and imagery used across all schools and athletics. Engage the community, students, teachers, and leaders to choose a mascot and name that reflects the core values of North Hills.

2. UPDATE CURRICULUM: Incorporate comprehensive anti-racism and decolonized education into the curriculum for every grade K-12 not limited to history, English, and literature courses, but throughout all subjects. The administration must allow educators to lead these efforts and hold them accountable to do so while fostering opportunities to take this learning beyond the classroom and out into the broader NHSD community. 

3. IMPROVE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION FOR STAFF: Invest in hiring people of color as educators and administrators and provide mandatory, continuous diversity, equity, and inclusion training for all staff. Support all teachers in building curriculum and facilitating ongoing classroom discussions. 

4. ENHANCE SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR: Center the voices of students of color by inviting them to work together with educators and administrators on action steps moving forward. Provide students of color with counseling and mental health services by professionals trained in working with non-white communities. 

5. COMPLETE AN EQUITY AND DIVERSITY ASSESSMENT: Conduct an internal assessment with guidance from educators and students of color to audit diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, representation, accountability, and support mechanisms within the school district. Results should be shared openly and transparently with the community. This assessment should include examining the presence of School Resource Officers and their impact on student quality of life and developing equitable policies for conflict resolution (e.g. restorative justice).

We look forward to working alongside the district, our neighbors, elected officials, and community leaders to forge a courageous path forward that values our school community and its people over the status quo. When we know better, we do better. We believe that the North Hills School District can certainly do better.  

We call on North Hills Students, Faculty, Graduates, Community Members, Businesses, Elected Officials and Concerned Citizens to support the calls to action in the North Hills School District.

To view the full letter, please visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14FfJdaFCM461VOfFumxsLYazFqBxtaGibV0b-rDkYcU/edit?usp=sharing