Recognizing the hard work, adaptability, and grace of the entire Bellevue School District community during these challenging times, the School Board reaffirmed the district’s core commitment to “provide respect, compassion, and quality experiences and outcomes for each and every student.”
Following a contentious presidential election amidst a global pandemic, and ongoing racial reckoning in our country, the School Board and Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran noted the need to reaffirm the district’s focus on fostering a safe educational environment for all students, families, educators, staff, and community partners that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying.
“To truly affirm and inspire each and every student to learn and thrive, we must provide a safe and relevant environment to not only be in, but to engage productively in using their voices and in listening to the voices of each other,” said Christine Chew, School Board president. “Hate and intolerance have no place in our district. We promote the value of respecting each other to welcome diverse ideas and contributions because that not only honors individuals, it is at the essence of education, social-emotional well-being, learning, and growing strong communities.”
“Our students, families and staff have been under considerable stress,” said Dr. Duran. “I applaud our educators for their dedicated work supporting our students not only academically, but emotionally. This work is at our core, and we will focus on the health and well-being of our students as we all navigate these national and local challenges together.”
School district leaders continue to look for opportunities, in all learning environments for students to make connections, for educators to build relationships and for families to engage in critical conversations around academic, social and emotional needs.
“There is still a great amount of work that must be completed to ensure that each and every student finds success in Bellevue,” said Dr. Duran. “Our shared vision is so important now more than ever. We all must be willing to come together and work to support our students and each other, fighting for everyone and those furthest away from educational justice. We all have a role, and we all have a voice. Let’s use it to make a difference to build unity, collaboration, and lasting transformation.”
Joint Statement from the Bellevue School District and Bellevue School District Board of Directors
Dear Bellevue School District Community:
In the wake of a contentious election season amidst a global pandemic, and ongoing racial reckoning in our country, we acknowledge our students, families, educators, staff, and community partners are under a considerable amount of uncertainty and stress.
The Bellevue School District board and administration remain steadfast in our commitment to foster a safe educational environment for everyone. With hard work, adaptability, and grace, we know we can achieve and embrace an environment that is free from harassment, intimidation, and bullying.
In support of these efforts, the Bellevue School Board on Monday reaffirmed the district’s core commitment to “provide respect, compassion, and quality experiences and outcomes for each and every student.” Read the full resolution.
Our work to affirm and inspire each and every student to learn and thrive as creators of their future world is central to all that we do. At this time, we find ourselves in a truly remarkable teachable moment for our students. We applaud our educators and leaders for their dedicated work supporting our students not only academically, but physically and emotionally. We will continue to focus on the health and well-being of our students, in all modes of learning, as we navigate these challenges together.
We are using all the resources at hand to support our learning community. Bullying prevention and social skills curriculum is being taught at all grade levels, in every school. Younger students learn about empathy, making friends, problem solving and responding to bullying. Integrated lessons for older students include the impact of gossiping, taunting and bullying, as well as the dangers of cyber-bullying. This is paired with a robust harassment, intimidation and bulling reporting program accessible by phone, text, email and web. Our educators and leaders are also doing an amazing job guiding age-appropriate conversations about the civics lessons unfolding in front of their students on a daily basis. Now more than ever is the time to continue to come together in support our students and each other. We all have a role and we all have a voice in our quest for educational excellence and social justice. Let’s use it to make a difference as we continue to build unity, collaboration, and lasting transformation.
In partnership,
Dr. Ivan Duran Dr. Christine Chew
Superintendent Board President
Bellevue School District