October 15, 2020 To The Central Consolidated School Board, Superintendent and Administration, We, the community members of Central Consolidated School District, call on you to take a stand and act on the best interests of our children, our families, our relatives, and our communities. No student or staff member should have to sacrifice their health or safety in order to access a great public education. As parents, educators, families and community members, we encourage Central Consolidated School Board to take necessary steps to ensure that students’ and educators’ voices are valued and incorporated in the planning process of reopening schools in hybrid or in-person learning. Due to the fact that our community is interwoven with the Navajo Nation, we request that the Navajo Nation guidelines for reopening are a key part of CCSD’s reopening decisions as well. Relating to Education; Approving and Requiring that all Navajo Nation Schools Provide Virtual or Online Learning Options Only, with No Face-to-Face Instruction for the First Semester of the 2020-2021 School Year The Navajo Nation has substantial authority and broad jurisdiction to regulate all matters within its territorial boundaries pursuant to its inherent sovereignty and the Treaty of 1868. This authority and jurisdiction include the ability to oversee and regulate matters regarding state public schools, Public Law 100-297 grant, Public Law 93-638 contract, Bureau of Indian Education-operated schools, higher education institutions, and all FACE programs, early childhood education programs, and Navajo Head Start programs located on the Navajo Nation. https://drive.google.com/file/d/14I2mnvJeHV-y-d4EOaHs5y6o0RYFYGAX/view
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to our schools, our economy, and our families, exacerbating racial inequities and placing a disproportionate burden on Native and surrounding communities. Whether school buildings are open or not, school districts must make sure each and every student has equitable and genuine access to rich and engaging learning experiences. Students and educators must be equipped with the tools, enough textbooks, and resources they need for effective culturally relevant remote instruction, to include devices, internet connectivity, digital literacy training, and professional learning.
Since the start of the 2020-2021 school year we have experienced that providing quality distance learning requires collaboration, transparency and communication, and have found that current expectations have not been met. We demand that the CCSD governing board and administration lead by actively executing the district’s mission and vision statements. CCSD Vision: A community of learners dedicated to building lives. CCSD Mission: Building a collaborative relationship within our collective community through continuous learning, open communication, and shared trust.
The coronavirus is tough, but the community of Central Consolidated is tougher and our community has remained resilient and has overcome many challenges. We agree that food insecurities, children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being are vital, but the decision to reopen schools must not sacrifice the health of our children and our communities to address these basic human needs. We will overcome this pandemic and make our public schools even better if we are committed to communicating openly and collaborating. We have the will, we have the creativity, we have the compassion, and we have the determination to make it happen. Now, we demand the collaboration, transparency, communication and resources from the Central Consolidated School governing board to keep our communities safe and healthy. We hope the Central Consolidated School District governing board shares in our promise to work together, be transparent, and use all available resources to fight for and protect our children to advance their creativity so that someday they may return home and become the leaders of our communities. Sincerely, The Central Consolidated Community Member Promise Keepers
The Community Promise Keepers Meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of Every Month
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