MSSD Incident

October 5, 2007


Dear KDES Families:

I want to share information with you about a serious incident that occurred last Saturday at MSSD and our plan to address this issue at KDES to help our students grow from it.

On Saturday, September 29, several students in one of the dorms were involved in what began as a game and turned into acts with racial implications that led to seven students being sent home and an investigation is ongoing. The Clerc Center does not tolerate any acts of threatening behavior. We are committed to ensuring that KDES has a safe and supportive learning environment for all of our students, teachers and staff.

As the nation addresses racism in schools, the Clerc Center has hired an external consultant, Larry Bell, with expertise in addressing these issues with teenagers. Mr. Bell is Director of the National Coalition-Building Institute’s (NCBI) District of Columbia Chapter and Regional Director (Mid-Atlantic Region) of NCBI International. He has been a Senior Associate, Trainer, and Member of the Board of NCBI International for over 8 years and a Senior Leader of the African Heritage Caucus. His areas of expertise include prejudice reduction, conflict resolution, team-building, and violence prevention. Mr. Bell and the DC NCBI Chapter have been involved in an effort to help youth, by teaching skills in prejudice reduction and coalition building to high school students and other young people. We are working in partnership with University and Clerc Center personnel with expertise in multiculturalism and diversity.

On Thursday, our School Counselor Cynthia Hunt and our Assistant Principal Donald Mahoney met with students on Team 4/5 and Team 6/7/8 to have an open dialogue about this incident, their reactions and feelings, as well as the issue of racism, discrimination, and oppression.

The Clerc Center recognizes that education related to racism, prejudice, and other forms of oppression is a critical part of every student’s development. Academic activities related to bullying have been taking place at KDES since last spring, including lunchtime “Mix It Up” discussions, large group, and small group activities. These activities, as well as others, will continue to be an integral part of the Clerc Center’s programs and services.

The administration is taking this event very seriously and would appreciate your involvement in teaching your children about the seriousness of racially charged acts. The year ahead will be filled with age appropriate lessons related to racism and oppression, and to teaching students respect for themselves and for each other.

We are prepared to assist you with additional resources on how to continue the dialogue at home and respond to any questions you may have. Please contact me at anytime at (202) 651-5031 or Marilyn.Farmer@Gallaudet.edu.


Sincerely,


Marilyn Farmer
Principal, Kendall Demonstration Elementary School