CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA–One day after the three-year anniversary of the deadly Unite the Right rally, Albemarle County Schools (ACPS) voted to ban Confederate imagery from their dress code.
According to the amendment, “students not complying with this policy will be asked to cover the noncomplying clothing, remove or cover the display, change clothes, or go home.”
The decision came a week after Albemarle County’s Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to remove a Confederate statue outside of Albemarle County Courthouse.
The Hate-Free Schools Coalition of Albemarle County, who had advocated for this change for years, celebrated the decision on their Facebook page.
Today, August 13, 2020, the ACPS just voted (as part of the consent agenda package) to ban confederate imagery from the…
Posted by Hate-Free Schools Coalition of Albemarle County on Thursday, August 13, 2020
Additionally, this school year ACPS will implement one of the first school district anti-racism policies in the commonwealth. According to Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas, ACPS will work toward truly equitable schools to “end the predictive value of race and to ensure the success of each individual student and staff member.”
In a video explaining Albemarle County Public School’s new anti-racist policy, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Bernard Hairston said, “While racism is deeply embedded in our school system, we can learn to identify our everyday principles and practices that maintain racism at all levels.”
The school year starts on September 8 with virtual learning for most students, and in-person classes for others, like those with little to no internet access or students with disabilities whose Individual Education Plan (IEP)’s recommend in-person learning.
