Seattle Public Schools — Response to Pittsburgh Tragedy

Dear Staff and Families, 

On Saturday, October 27th, the Tree of Life synagogue experienced an unspeakable tragedy as 11 worshipers were murdered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our hearts hurt for the victims, their families, and the entire Jewish community, including those here in Seattle. When one of our communities is the target of violence and hate, our grief is shared.

Seattle Public Schools wants to assure our students, families, and staff that anti-Semitism, religious bigotry, racism, and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. If students or families ever have concerns, they should be raised with teachers and the school principal. Concerns can also be sent to the Office of Student Civil Rights at OSCR@seattleschools.org. School staff will continue to monitor student reactions to this tragic event and will support our students as needed.

What makes the Seattle community so special is our diversity, our deep sense of justice, and our willingness to act on our values and fight for a better tomorrow for our children and community. Together, we must work against hate and those who seek to divide us.

To read the School Board and Superintendent Juneau’s full statement shared last Sunday and to access resources that may be helpful in discussing troubling events with children, visit the District website.  

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