Sumner-Bonney Lake ​Schools Rolls Out Plan For Racial Equity​

SUMNER, WA — Earlier this month, the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District released a statement denouncing white supremacy, anti-black bias and other forms of institutional racism.

Today, it's taking action.

In a release Wednesday, the school its Equity Advisory Committee has identified three ways it will work as it continues its mission of eliminating bias and standing in solidarity with communities of color.

The three areas of focus are developing and implementing an anti-bias response plan, providing high quality professional training for staff and "building our own and our students' ability to engage in respectful and informed conversations about racial equity," the district stated in the release.

It is also rolling out a 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge "designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership."

Parents, students, staff and community members are invited to join the challenge, which challenges participants to think critically about issues like patriarchy, white supremacy and racism, to name a few.

School superintendent Laurie Dent said the work of dismantling institutional racism continues daily, and more community members will have the chance to join the effort in August.

The school will open applications for those wishing to join the Equity Advisory Committee in August. The committee consists of parents, community members and staff.

"Even though the school year is coming to a close, our work is not. We will continue to show up with grit and perseverance, kindness and respect, and a spirit of listening and learning," Dent wrote. "Above all, we will maintain our sense of hope and our belief in what is possible when we truly come together … and together we will find our way forward."