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Today we recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Making the anniversary of the emancipation of enslaved people a federal holiday does not take away from the pain and trauma inflicted on Black Americans. At the same time, this formal acknowledgment of Juneteenth is an important step towards honoring and giving space to reflect on and … Read More
Ashly Lopez Escober moved to the United States from Honduras just six years ago. Becoming a founding student at a high school and creating a culture of collaboration for future students wasn’t part of her plan. As she prepares to study biochemistry at the University of Washington, that’s exactly what she’s accomplished. With a fierce … Read More
While COVID-19 brought an unexpected change to her senior year, Summit Atlas senior Esther Mumbi took the shift to virtual school in stride. In fact, this last year has only strengthened Esther’s drive to enter the healthcare field and work towards ending what she recognizes as another pandemic — social and economic inequality. Next year, … Read More
Jayla Foster had a tough start to high school, attending three different schools and ultimately repeating her sophomore year. When she reached Summit Atlas, a new public charter school in its second year, Jayla found her stride. Embraced by a supportive school community, she uncovered her passion and voice as a student leader, ultimately becoming … Read More
By Rekha Bhatt, Senior Vice President, Programs and Bely Luu, Associate Director of School Development at WA Charters As two Asian-American women, daughters, moms, and leaders in the Washington state charter public school sector, we know firsthand the richness, beauty, and power that the vast spectrum of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) identities encompass. … Read More
Finding Community at Innovation Who says math and the humanities don’t mix? Not Elizabeth Chase. Her love for art, people, and math blends seamlessly through her high school career and into her future ambitions. Elizabeth is graduating from Innovation High School, a charter public school within the PRIDE public schools in Spokane. At Innovation, Elizabeth … Read More
If Amari Troutt could impart one piece of wisdom to younger scholars at PRIDE Schools, it would be to take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to them. Amari is graduating this spring from Innovation High School, part of the PRIDE charter public schools in Spokane. She started her journey in the charter public schools … Read More
By Erum Mohiuddin, Director of Operations at Whatcom Intergenerational High School Prior to moving to Washington state, where I am the Director of Operations at Whatcom Intergenerational High School in Bellingham opening to students and families this fall, I was a Principal of an Islamic School in Michigan. Being a mom and educator, I know Ramadan … Read More
Yesterday’s guilty verdict of former police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd is a step towards accountability; however, Black Americans continue to be killed disproportionately by police and the systemic racism that fuels that violence continues to threaten and harm communities of color, particularly Black and Brown communities. Civil rights attorney Ben … Read More
Our hearts are with the grieving families of Adam Toledo, Daunte Wright, and all victims of racist violence and their loved ones. Our systems of policing are making a continued statement that Black and Brown lives do not matter. For Black and Brown folks this loss, grief, and trauma is generational and ongoing. At WA … Read More