Acknowledging the Impact of Social Injustice

We pause to pay respects to the families and communities who have suffered the immeasurable loss of loved ones, as 10 people in Buffalo, New York lost their lives to yet another act of senseless gun violence and racism over the weekend. Together we stand with the Buffalo community, as well as the communities and families impacted by recent shootings, including those at an Orange County, California church and a Houston, Texas flea market. We acknowledge the impact of these acts on our community here in Bellevue, Washington, and we stand with our students and families who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).

It is troubling to witness the mistreatment of people based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, class, culture and background. Racism and discrimination in any form has no place in our society, including our BSD community. We acknowledge how recent events may cause harm to students and families based on their lived experiences, and we continue to support them through our commitment to affirm and inspire each and every student to learn and thrive as creators of their future world.

The Bellevue School District is centered on unity through its shared values of integrity, compassion, respect, collaboration, service, diversity and excellence. This core message resounds within the halls of our buildings, in the hearts of staff, and is taught to students, who will one day share these messages as they take what they have learned here to the broader community.

Centering the voices of those who feel marginalized in no way affects our commitment to serve all students, because we are committed to the educational, social and emotional growth of all our students. As a school system, we take our role seriously to uplift and empower our students, preparing them for the next stages of their academic careers and lives, realizing our collective responsibility — in concert with family and community — to nurture the whole child.

We hope to continue centering the voices of our communities and ask that you join us in supporting our fellow communities across race, religion, sexual orientation, class, culture and background. We can achieve great things with unity that comes with a shared purpose.

Dr. Art Jarvis, Interim Superintendent
Bellevue School District