Monday was a day when Fairfax High School’s students were the center of attention. Around 120 students took part in a voluntary program to identify school problems and then work together to solve them. Students shared their school’s strengths and their concerns about the school environment in small groups. Nearly every group ranked diversity as one of their strengths. However, students pointed out that diversity can also cause problems such as racial stereotyping and mental health issues.
Senior Darwin Otchere said that a lot of the problems are caused by a lack understanding. Everything boils down to perspective. Until you ask someone why they do something, you won’t know. The school can be made better if we all have more understanding.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service runs the program, called Student Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together. The facilitators are community members who are not employees of FCPS, but trained facilitators. They led small groups to facilitate 90-minute discussions that encouraged open and honest dialogue.
We had some great conversations. Senior Thandeka Manyemenyi stated that it felt like a very safe space. It’s a great honor to have this event today. We’ve had many discussions over the years, but it’s nice seeing something actually happening.
Principal Maureen Keck states that this program is just one part of a continuous process of improving student experience, and relationships. Fairfax HS is also working to form a student stakeholder committee to continue this work through next school year. The group will address concerns raised during Monday’s program, and then work on solutions.
I hope that students will realize that we want them to be heard. Keck said that he wants them to know that we are there for them. We need a school community that is safe, respectful, and makes people feel heard. We want to hear all sides of these discussions. If we don’t know what is out there, we can’t fix them. These are the tough conversations that are needed.
The program was open to students from all walks of life. Sarah Hegazy is interested in having a say in how her school operates and hopes for positive change. Micah Gillespie hopes to get to know his fellow students, and to understand their problems. Hank Hawkins is passionately involved in equity work and believes that open discussions are beneficial for all learning environments. Like many others, Akanksha Padheriya wants to see positive, action-oriented steps in the future.
Padheriya said that Fairfax has grown as a community over the past four decades. Now it’s time for us to take the initiative and focus on programs that will bring about positive change.
The students agreed that more work needed to be done to educate Fairfax HS about the diversity of religions, races and lifestyles. Students should be the ones leading that education process.
Keck stated that it is unlikely that one day will be enough to solve all problems. They may be able to find solutions to some problems if they work together. The work will not stop after today.
Visit the DOJs for more information on the School-SPIRIT Program. Website.
