APEA honors Juneteenth with anti-racist commitment and call to action

The Amherst Pelham Education Association honors Juneteeth with a reaffirmation of its commitment to fighting racism – in our classrooms, in our schools, in our community.

We call on the Amherst-Pelham School District to also recommit to fighting racism in response to incidents of microaggressions and discrimination experienced by our staff of color this year. On February 13, 2024, APEA issued a call to the district to resume anti-racist work.

APEA requested that the district provide:

• targeted anti-bias training for staff, administrators and students who need support in understanding and developing the skills to create an equitable school environment for all,
• ongoing anti-racism work in each of the schools,
• a recognition that this work is something that must be done daily as each of us challenges ourselves to break the culture of white supremacy,
• Hiring a Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to lead the district in this work.

In the past, the district has required new hires to undergo anti-racism training, ongoing staff and curriculum development, and student support in combating bias. We are confident that the district can recommit to our anti-racist mission.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]