SPASD offers updates on response after racially-insensitive slavery assignment, says investigation is ongoing
Board, district apologizes to YWCA CEO for ‘misstep’
February 22, 2021 9:58 PM Madalyn O Neill
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SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. – Leaders and board members of the Sun Prairie Area School District are asking the community for their forgiveness and trust following a racially-insensitive assignment.
At a school board meeting Monday, district leaders gave a presentation on the timeline of the incident, the response and the investigation.
“I’d like to start this presentation with a statement of apology, of ownership and of commitment,” Superintendent Brad Saron said. “While this incident at Patrick Marsh Middle School does not reflect our commitment and work leading up to this point, it does serve as a determining factor to accelerate our work toward racial equity.”
Sun Prairie Area School District responds to claim that partnership with YWCA was false
SPASD says all parties involved may have been partially correct
February 9, 2021 9:17 PM Jamie Perez
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SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. The Sun Prairie Area School District is responding to the claims that its partnership with the YWCA is false.
At its Monday school board meeting, SPASD staff said it was partnering with the YWCA in Madison to form restorative justice circles for its students following the backlash it received for a racially insensitive assignment given to three 6th grade classes last week asking students how they would punish a slave. YWCA CEO Vanessa McDowell told News 3 Now that there is no such partnership that exists.
CHRIS RICKERT and EMILY HAMER
Wisconsin State Journal
A Dane County school district claimed Monday night that it was working with local nonprofit YWCA Madison on community healing after three middle school teachers gave sixth-graders an assignment on the first day of Black History Month that asked them how they would punish a slave â but the YWCA s CEO says no such partnership exists. That is not true, YWCA CEOÂ Vanessa McDowell said Monday night of the district s claim. We have not even had a conversation about a partnership. Â
In a statement later Monday night, the  Sun Prairie School District clarified that it does not have a formalized partnership as defined by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the YWCA at this time.
A Dane County school district claimed it was working with YWCA Madison on community healing in wake of a lesson that asked sixth-graders how they would punish a slave, but
Mandela Barnes, kicked off Black History Month on Feb. 1 in a virtual event hosted over Facebook Live. Chairwoman Rep Stubbs (D-77) released the following statement:
“I am honored to be speaking at this event today and to be the Chairwoman for the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus. This kickoff event is just the beginning of an amazing month celebrating historical and contemporary Black voices and accomplishments.”
“Black History Month is incredibly important to observe, as for so long Black history was purposefully erased and misrepresented. Black history tells us stories of resistance and survival, while also teaching us about the impact of Black heritage and culture. As we continue to demand racial justice and equity, looking to past Black leaders and accomplishments helps us in finding strength and motivation to keep fighting today. It also reminds us how far we have come, and how at the same time we still have so much work to do.”