On Friday morning (June 9), around 60 students walked out of classes at Highline High School to express their concern about the painting of the ‘Spirit Rock’ and other actions that have made them feel unsafe and unwelcome at school this year.
This was a peaceful protest, but staff canceled the annual ‘Pirate Mutiny’ events previously scheduled out of caution.
Staff also met with numerous students to hear their concerns, and an all-school assembly is planned for Monday, June 12.
“You may have heard a rumor that an assistant principal was punched. This did not happen,” Principal Vicki Fisher said via email. “It is our highest priority to ensure that all students are safe and feel safe on campus. We are taking the concerns expressed by students very seriously. While details on student discipline are confidential, we are appropriately addressing the behavior of students involved in this week’s events. We will address the issue of school culture and respect at an assembly Monday with the entire student body.”
Fisher added:
Please join us in encouraging students to report when they see or experience hurtful or disrespectful behavior.
We will continue working with students and staff in the fall to ensure we have a welcoming school environment for all students.
If you have questions or concerns, please email me at vicki.fisher@highlineschools.
org.
We also learned that 55 or so members of a group called ‘Burien Represent’ held an emergency meeting at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church Friday night to discuss these issues.
“This past week we have learned that conservative members of the community have been circulating a petition to repeal the sanctuary city ordinance – the messaging is racist, xenophobic, and gravely incorrect,” organizers said on Facebook. “Burien Represent is calling for an emergency community meeting to quickly and swiftly address these issues and support our communities most marginizalied and vulnerable populations.”
Read our previous coverage of this developing story here.