Source: David Downey, The Press-Enterprise
The Riverside school board plans to meet with three prominent state lawmakers from the Inland Empire next week to chart an educational path that is more sensitive to Native American students, officials announced late Tuesday, Nov. 9.
The calling of the special meeting follows widespread outrage triggered by an Oct. 19 incident at Riverside’s North High School in which a teacher put on a faux headdress, danced around a classroom and performed a mock chant, while attempting to impart an advanced math concept.
Riverside Unified School District spokesperson Diana Meza said board members and lawmakers intend to examine how district policies, practices and curriculum affect Native Americans. They also plan to discuss how to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, she wrote in a news release.
District trustees plan to gather with Assembly Members Sabrina Cervantes, D-Corona; Jose Medina, D-Riverside; and James Ramos, D-Highland. The study session is set for Monday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, in the board room at the Riverside County Office of Education, the release states. The office is at 3939 13th St., Riverside.