A Statement on Friday’s Basketball Game Between Gig Harbor and Lincoln High School
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Dear PSD families and staff,
On Friday, December 13, during a basketball game between the Gig Harbor Tides and the Lincoln Abes, an incident occurred in which a Gig Harbor student used a racially charged reference toward a player on the court. This behavior is unacceptable, does not reflect the values we strive to uphold, and is in direct opposition to who we want to be as a district community.
The student involved in Friday's incident was immediately confronted by Gig Harbor High School (GHHS) administrators and removed from the game. Administration and a PSD School Security Officers (SSO) were on site throughout the event. Prior to the game, administration introduced themselves to attendees and indicated where they would be located should an incident occur.
Per WIAA regulations, if an incident occurs during a game, it is to be immediately reported to an official, the game is to be stopped, and the incident addressed, whether the behavior happens on the court or in the stands. Unfortunately, this is not the first instance of unacceptable behavior at our games. During last year’s basketball game against Lincoln, similar issues arose. Earlier this school year, during a football game between Gig Harbor and Lincoln, a Gig Harbor player used a racist term toward a Lincoln player. In that instance, the game was stopped, athletic directors and administration came onto the field, and referees addressed the behavior directly. There were also school and team-level consequences for the offending individual.
We want to thank the Lincoln Abes for bringing this incident to our attention. We acknowledge the harm caused by this pattern of behavior and extend our sincere apologies to those affected. In the near future, we hope to have the opportunity for students of both schools to come together and discuss these incidents and find ways to work together to ensure all students at both schools are treated with kindness and respect.
We are incredibly disappointed by these behaviors and recognize them as part of a larger issue that we, as a district, must address. These incidents underscore the importance of the work we have been doing, and will continue to do, to foster an environment of respect, equity, and inclusion for all members of our community.
We will not back down from the challenge of addressing inherent bias among our students and community.
At PSD, we care about our students and students in our neighboring districts. We extend our sincerest apologies to the students, staff, and families at Lincoln High School and we will work to repair this relationship.
Together, we will work to ensure that every individual in our district, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, feels valued, respected, and empowered. Discrimination has no place here, and inclusion will remain the cornerstone of our collective progress.
Peninsula is committed to working with its students, staff, parents and community to address these issues and concerns. Deputy Chief of Schools Julie Shultz-Bartlett is currently working with staff and community members through the Bullying Action and Prevention Task Force to better understand the root causes of these concerns. Simultaneously, Chief of Schools Michael Farmer is working with staff from the Puget Sound Educational Service District to conduct a comprehensive review of Peninsula’s current policies, procedures, and practices. Moving forward, we remain committed to ongoing education, accountability, and efforts to create a district culture where every student feels valued, respected, and safe.
We recognize that some concerns within our community may have gone unresolved or lacked the attention they deserved in the past. We want to assure everyone that moving forward, we are fully committed to addressing these issues with transparency, accountability, and thoroughness.
As Former employees of the Tacoma School District and Stewart Middle School, Superintendent Krestin Bahr and Farmer have the fondest memories of their time in the Lincoln/Southeast Tacoma neighborhood and have nothing but respect for those students and families.
“I am really sorry, this harm is inexcusable. Lincoln High School and Tacoma Public Schools was and is my community. I am dedicated to moving through this challenge with my staff and students, and to make it clear that we will not tolerate this sort of behavior now or in the future,” said Superintendent Bahr.
Please reach out to our district communication team at info@psd401.net if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Krestin Bahr
Superintendent
Michael Farmer
Chief of Schools
Julie Shultz-Bartlett
Deputy Chief of Schools
Michele Suiter
GHHS Principal
Wendy Malich
Director of Athletics and Activities |
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