District resolution denounces racism

Diversity training program planned for students

The Upland Unified School District board unanimously passed a resolution denouncing racism and discrimination at its meeting Tuesday.

Superintendent Carmen Day said the resolution reaffirms the district’s commitment to equitable education and reemphasizes its stance against racism and discrimination. The board of education approved the resolution without further comment.

The board’s action comes about six weeks after a student at Pepper Tree Elementary School reported receiving cards with racist images and messages from fellow students.

On Feb.2, a Black sixth grader at Pepper Tree received two homemade cards reading “my favorite monkey” and “my favorite cotton picker.” The cards were reported Feb. 5 to school administrators, who launched an investigation.

A Los Angeles-based law firm representing the family of the student who received the cards has filed a claim with the school district. In the Feb. 27 claim, the family said there has been a series of racist incidents at Pepper Tree Elementary over a period of seven years.

Upland Unified parents who spoke at the meeting Tuesday evening said they want the board to continue shining a light on the issue.

“As a Pepper Tree parent, we want more transparency,” Mark Rogers said.

According to Day, the district plans to roll out a pilot program in May focused on diversity training for students. More details on the program will be available at a later date, Day said.

Robin Allen, also a parent at Pepper Tree, said that though the steps that have been reported sound promising, she wants to know more about what these programs will do to alleviate racism and discrimination on school campuses.

Allen said she is looking for “more explanation and more breakdown on some of the policies we are talking about.”

“As a

Pepper Tree (Elementary School) parent, we want more transparency.” — Mark Rogers