Quaker Valley Middle School administrators address use of racial language by students

Quaker Valley Middle School administrators are addressing what they call an increase of inappropriate racial language among students both inside and outside of the school.

A letter was sent to families signed by principal Anthony Mooney and assistant principal Katy Chapman on Feb. 22, stating that student access to social media platforms is “playing a significant role in perpetuating this behavior,” and the use of such language will not be tolerated.

“As educators and caretakers of our students’ well-being, we firmly believe that every student deserves to learn and grow in a respectful, understanding, and caring environment. Inappropriate racial language and behaviors have no place in our school,” the letter read. “It is important to emphasize that there are serious consequences for any student found using inappropriate racial language or encouraging others to do so. We do not tolerate such behavior, and we are committed to taking both restorative and disciplinary actions to address and rectify any instances that occur.”

Prior to the letter being sent, Leetsdale resident Grady Gill said such instances involving his sixth-grade daughter have occurred at least five times this school year and at least a few times in prior years with his now eighth-grade daughter. Gill is Black and his children are mixed race.

He met with a TribLive reporter in Sewickley on Feb. 20.

Gill said the sixth-grader’s classmates have made racial slurs and even joked about slavery.

“I just want my kids to feel comfortable (and) go to a place that we thought if we got them there (they’d) have a better education, a better everything,” he said. “We get them there and then there’s trauma. … They think they are joking around, stereotypical jokes. It’s not violent. They don’t realize that it’s traumatizing.”

Gill said he spoke with the principal and several administrators about the incidents, and they told him the students were disciplined.

He said he does not know what discipline was administered.

He commended the school resource officer and other parents who supported his family in response to the instances.

The school letter states the staff strives to create an environment “where everyone feels like they belong,” and encourages parents and guardians to talk with their children about race, religion and other sensitive topics.

“Similar instruction will continue to take place in an ongoing manner within our school and classrooms, but we need your support at home,” the letter read. “It is essential to instill in our students a deep sense of appreciation for the differences that make each person unique.”

Gill also said he hopes parents get more involved with their students’ education and that kindness would grow in their homes.

The father noted his eldest daughter became friends with one of the classmates who used to speak to her in such a manner.

Gill has two sons, one in fifth grade and one in kindergarten. He said there have been no racial incidents with the boys.

The letter cites Kidshealth and PBS Kids websites as online resources to help facilitate those discussions. Parents who wish to have their children speak to school counselors can email Danielle Schultz at schultzd@qvsd.org for students whose last names start with A-L, or Matthew Parrish at parrishm@qvsd.org for last names M-Z.

District officials declined to comment beyond the letter.