Dear Lake Washington School District Students, Staff and Families:

Over the next week, many of the schools across Lake Washington School District will participate in activities that highlight support for our Black students. This week has been identified as Black Lives Matter at School and is the launch of Black History Month.

As an organization committed to the success of every student, it is our responsibility to also understand how certain groups of students are experiencing school in Lake Washington. Today, I ask us as a community to recognize the importance of seeing our Black students for who they are; brilliant, intelligent, rich with culture and a critical part of the fabric of our district. 

I have had the opportunity to hear from many Black students and families over the past few months. In these conversations I have continually heard a desire for safety, inclusivity, fair treatment and high expectations. These students and families expressed this through stories and lived experiences.

As a community, it is our obligation to be open to conversations about change; open to conversations about how we make our schools and our communities more inclusive of diverse viewpoints, cultures and races. We must be open to the possibility that “the way we’ve always done things” may not be what is beneficial for our entire community. We have to be open to the possibility of a better pathway forward for all of our students.

I am the proud Superintendent of 31,000 students and today, I am delighted to celebrate our Black students and tell them they matter, that they are seen and heard, and we are committed to their success. I am committed to ensuring we continue to work to make our district and schools emotionally and physically safe, inclusive and that our systems and procedures are fair and not biased towards race, ability, income levels or any other social factor. 

Today, I am pleased to proclaim that the lives of the Black students in Lake Washington School District matter.

In solidarity,
Jon

Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent
Lake Washington School District