Sewickley Academy student group CARES speaks out about clash with administration

A group of Sewickley Academy students gathered Wednesday to express their distrust of administrators following several high-profile controversies at the private school.

Members of student-led organization CARES (Collective Action for Representative Education at Sewickley) held a press conference to voice their concerns and present their demands of change to the school. Sewickley Academy has faced criticism for faculty changes, including the termination of its director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Wednesday’s press conference was held at the Bloomcraft Building in Oakland, the organizers said, to ensure students’ voices were heard without the school’s administration interfering.

“We are no longer afraid. We are speaking up,” said senior Anthony Wiles.

Packets were distributed that included an outline of events leading up to what unfolded on March 3, a list of demands for change, and testimonies from students who wanted to speak up but were afraid of the repercussions.

Five members of the group spoke, expressing their disappointment with how the administration has handled the situation last week. They demanded the academy reflect the truth of what happened on March 3, saying what occurred was a peaceful student-led initiative and protest.

On March 3, students and parents attempted to deliver a petition filled with demands of change to administrators.

In a letter released late March 3, Head of School Ashley Birtwell said the group of 25-30 people that came to her office that day “refused to cooperate, and their disorderly conduct escalated. As a precaution, police were called to maintain order and ensure everyone’s safety.” The letter also said the students’ actions were “not reflective of the Academy and our core values.”

A student-led protest was held the following day. An estimated 60 people, consisting of parents and students, were present holding signs and expressing their concerns about the academy’s environment. Classes were canceled as a result.

Police Chief John Burlett said Edgeworth Police responded to campus again on March 4, this time to ensure students and staff were safe. No arrests were made, and Burlett said the protest ended peacefully.

Members of CARES said they, along with supporting classmates, are being harassed and bullied as a result of the violent narrative they believe the school created.

“You claimed we were disorderly. We are asking for the truth and not to be slandered,” Wiles said.

Following the March 4 protest, academy officials confirmed Monday the Assistant Head of Schools Ken Goleski and four other faculty members would not be finishing out the academic year. Goleski’s resignation was not enough for students, who felt he should be held accountable for his actions during the whole ordeal.

“He gets to leave, and he does not have to face the consequences. He will never have to apologize to us,” Nora Faraci, a freshman, said.

Wiles further went on to ask Birtwell why she has not answered the group’s response to her email about meeting to talk. Wiles said the group has tried many times to meet with her.

“Why do you suppress our voices when we are trying to make a difference?” he said.

Birtwell sent out a letter Wednesday afternoon during the press conference.

“I would’ve been happy to attend so I could hear firsthand what their concerns might be. I didn’t hear about it [the conference] until I saw Twitter updates. I am disappointed they missed out on school and didn’t share that directly with me,” she said during an interview following the press conference.

Birtwell said an email was sent to the group Tuesday morning attempting to arrange a meeting on Tuesday or Thursday to include the consulting firm for the school’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Social Justice on the conversation. She said the group responded on Tuesday, and she was planning to respond to the email today.

“I want every one of our students to feel heard and listened to,” Birtwell said.

The petition included the following demands:

• That the school conduct a widespread national search for a permanent Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Social Justice director, as recommended by the school’s DEI task force.

• That the board of trustees hosts monthly meetings open to students, teachers and parents.

• The removal of restrictions on free speech off-campus that is critical of the school or “that damages the reputation of the school,” a reference to a line in the 2021-22 Sewickley Academy Student & Family Handbook.

• That teachers “must be allowed to share any personal information at their will.”

• That students must be allowed to bring an advocate of their choice (a parent, teacher, etc.) when required to meet with the administration.

The organization still hopes to meet with administrators and ask for better transparency from the school, including telling the public what actually happened on March 3 and disclosing what happens behind the scenes.

“We need genuine interaction from the administration. Everything they are saying is just to uphold their reputation,” senior Georgia Cox said.

Birtwell said the academy is more than willing to be open about its processes to students, especially concerning the hiring of a new DEISJ director.

“We can certainly share updates and communicate with students if this is something they want to be actively be updated on,” she said.