Action: Write a Letter to the Editor in Support of Liberated Ethnic Studies in PVUSD

Why is the Santa Cruz Sentinel standing against the PVUSD community’s call to bring back CRE and liberated ethnic studies?

We are asking our community and supporters to write a letter to the editor to show them that the community supports the CRE contract!

How to write a letter to the editor

• State who you are and why you want the PVUSD school board to bring back the CRE contract (some ideas and talking points on next slide)
• Your letter must be 175 words or less – be concise!
• Say that you are responding to the editorial on “Why the PVUSD school board and superintendent need to uphold cancellation of ethnic studies contract”
• You have to provide your name, address, and phone number to verify your identity, but your contact information will not be published.
• Send your letter to editorial@santacruzsentinel.com 
• See www.santacruzsentinel.com/submit-letters/ for more information

Some ideas for what to say in your letter

If you are a student, parent, or someone who has engaged with CRE and ethnic studies at PVUSD:

• Write about how liberated ethnic studies has positively impacted you/your child/your students/community.
• Use your own experiences from participating in ethnic studies classes or the ethnic studies town hall to refute the tired accusations that CRE and liberated ethnic studies are divisive.
• Your personal testimonies and stories are powerful!

More general and background points:

• The original decision in 2021 to work with CRE was made after a robust decision-making process involving input from many local community groups and community members. Why is the current PVUSD board and the Santa Cruz Sentinel disrespecting this process and the community’s input?
  • Some of the community groups that were consulted include: The Tobera Project, MILPA, Digital NEST, Food What?!, Youth NOW, Regeneración Pajaro Valley Climate Action, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, White Hawk Dance Group, Early Academic Outreach Partnership Center, Migrant/Seasonal Head Start, and others
• PVUSD’s ethnic studies curriculum was co-developed between CRE, PVUSD teachers, and community organizations like the Tobera Project – CRE’s work with PVUSD reflects the values of our community!
• PVUSD students and community have overwhelmingly come out in favor of CRE over the past school year. Ignoring our voices is undemocratic.
  • Over 240 public comments have been made by yy community members in the last 9 months. This includes 99 comments by PVUSD students. No students, parents, or teachers have commented in opposition to CRE.
  • PVUSD ethnic studies teachers, Asian American community members, and Jewish community members have all written open letters in support of the CRE contract.
  • Over 1,700 individuals and 65 organizations have signed the public petition in support of the CRE contract.
• Teaching about different kinds of oppression is not oppressive. It is the only way to help our community move forward and overcome it. Suppressing discussions of oppressions that students face is censorship.