Since Thursday morning it has been an incredible, emotional 36 hours at Marysville-Plichuck High School (1200 students). Thursday morning we were told that for next year the District was involuntarily moving our principal whom both students and staff have very deep feelings for. It was an unfair and bad decision though the District has the right to move whomever. As a staff Thursday after school we confronted the District in an emotional yet professional staff meeting. Earlier in the day the students started taking action with a campus sign campaign in support of our principal. They had the support of staff including myself. As the staff meeting was announced and all new that the leadership was coming, out students kicked their action into overdrive. There was an a very clear message to the superintendent when she arrived. Thursday after school the students, a small group in particular, especially one whom I am very proud of became socially and politically active. They, not staff or parents, also began a campaign of contacting the Marysville, Everett, and Seattle media. All of the media. They planned several acts of appropriate civil disobedience Friday and Monday. Again they had my support, and the support of other staff. Let me say at his point that most of the current upper district leadership is new. My campus had been unfairly treated for 7 years to the point of open prejudice. Staff and student had had enough. This was the breaking point. Now back to Thursday. We began to see at the staff meeting that we might stand a chance of getting the decision reversed. Friday morning there were more special meetings at the district level. While these meetings were happening we had our Color Wars Class Assembly of which part of was dedicated to the support of our principal. The assembly ended with 1200 students shouting and cheering verbal support for their principal. The campus was still decorated to show our support. Now through these 2 days there were many teachable moments and times in which staff and students discussed - political activism, social activism, protesting, petitions. civil disobedience, and how to do so appropriately. Students learned how the school district works and why. Back to today. School out at 12:15. About 25 minutes before school was out we had announcement from our principal that he would be back next year. Cheers could be heard from every corner of campus. Students and staff celebrated with hugs, hi fives, shouting, cheering, smiles, laughter, and tears. Students ran to the office to greet their principal. I hear the office was a very excited and tearful place. I am proud to be a teacher at MPHS. I am proud of our campus admin and our staff. I am most proud of our students, especially my students, my instructional interns. I was tearful this afternoon in my room with them and I am tearful now as I write this and think of my school and students. We have come through stronger as a staff, students, and as a school. There is power in positive unity, and students and staff can work together. ROCK ON MP!!!!
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 05:50:48 +0000
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