OEA joins state education leaders in support

EdNews

OEA joins state education leaders in support of Black Lives Matter

Ajoint letter signed by OEA, Oregon State Board of Education, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA), the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA), the Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA), the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), the Oregon Association of Education Service Districts (OAESD), and the Oregon Association of Student Councils (OASC) announcing our shared commitment to racial justice was released on Oct. 15, 2020. OEA’s stance on Black Lives Matter can be characterized by this excerpt from the Oct. 15 letter: “We fully support Black Lives Matter as a civil rights movement that aims to combat racism and support Black individuals. We stand beside Black Lives Matter, as a statement of social justice and an affirmation of the value and worth of Black people. We can acknowledge that many people have misunderstood or been misinformed about the origin and expression that Black Lives Matter. The need to affirm the Black Lives Matter is rooted in the history and current experiences that have intentionally marginalized Black lives and bodies.”

The full letter can be viewed at www.oregoned.org/black-lives-matter.

Beaverton schools set policies for sharing Pride, Black Lives Matter imagery in classrooms

Educators and students alike have become more involved than ever in the socio-political sphere during the past year. While several districts around the state have prohibited educators from sharing their personal opinions on political and social issues, Beaverton has set a precedent for inclusion and discourse around topics that affect both students and educators.

Pride flags and Black Lives Matter signage have been specifically allowed in the district’s summary, released September 30, both in physical and virtual classrooms. As the November Elections draw close, the district has also allowed educators and students to wear clothing or accessories that endorse particular candidates, but political signage is not permitted in classrooms, virtual or otherwise.

Any signs, clothing, or accessories that promote exclusion (such as “Build the Wall”) have been expressly prohibited, while other phrases like “All Lives Matter” are discouraged and the district has asked staff not to display things that contradict the inclusive message behind the Black Lives Matter movement.

COVID-19 in Oregon Schools: By the numbers

43,793 Oregon's number of total confirmed cases

46,000 The number of students who have received some in-person instruction

25 The highest number of schools with reported COVID-19 cases in one week in October

52 The highest number of infected students and staff in one week in October