My daughter has been at Dolores Huerta (Fairmount Elementary) since 1st grade. She is now in the 3rd grade and not much has changed. When I arrived at the school I was given a tour by the Family Liaison and a two other teachers. The tour was horrible. For starters the Family Liaison and two teachers were more concerned about my daughter not having no exposure to Spanish than actually attending the school. They made statements such as, "It will be really hard for her considering she hasn't had any exposure." I then stated, "What about the positive reinforcement, and resources. I then inquired about resources and support, and I was told there weren't any resources or tutoring. No recommendations of tutors, YouTube, or pamphlets on how to access support for first time Spanish learners. I also bought this concern of mine to the principal, Mr. Luis Rodriquez who appeared to be very egotistical, unapproachable towards my frustration, and I was given a very cold, abrupt response. Mr. Rodriquez responded, "We don't have any resources."
There has been several incidents where I thought to myself, maybe its me and I need to reflect and approach certain matters differently. Then I began to speak with other parents and I was hearing the same thing, that Mr. Rodriquez is unapproachable and bias towards particular families.
This has been an horrific experience for my daughter and my family.
My daughter has confided in me that kids were calling her Black girl, and teasing her because she did not know the language and/or she was in a lower level book.
My family and I have experienced discrimination and lack of cultural competence from the front desk to the teachers and principal. For a school to lack in culturally competency means the school is unable to understand, communicate with and effectively interact with people across cultures. This is unacceptable. There has been times where I would witness a parent being given the green light to bring their children's lunch, and on the other hand I was being told you cannot because you would be interrupting instructional time. There is a standard that the school should implement for all parents and not preferential treatment.
There is a stigma within the school that has families in fear and afraid to speak up out of fear of reprisal. I have spoken to several families in the past in regards to their experience and one particular father told me, "I have never experienced no shape or form of discrimination at this school and I am a Philanthropist, contribute to my community and I am well known. Next school year the parent came up to me and inform of some discrimination he was experiencing with his son's teacher and explained how the a particular book was offensive and racist. I have also noticed how parents, teachers, and the community become colored blinded, when topics of discrimination and biases are mentioned, and as long as their child is exceeding in their academics they refuse to acknowledge the struggle between Black and Brown individuals. Yes, granted this school is a Spanish Immersion school but the history behind Black and Latina/Latino people is still prevalent. This lack of respect and humility for one another is not being addressed.
I recall a parent informing me that the principal and the teacher by the name of Ms. Villa informed her that she should take her son out of the school considering he is failing and this may not be the school for him.
Dolores Huerta formerly known as Fairmount Elementary lacks cultural competency, and demonstrates to particular parents that they are not welcomed. This school wears t-shirts on Tuesday stating Black Lives Matter, but statics states that Black children, which are the minority are performing at the lowest rate.
Do not believe the hype, this school is not for Black children and children of color, the principal demonstrates characteristics of a tyrant and a dictator. There has been several teachers and social workers who have left due to his lack of support, empathy for families, staff and community. read more
