The School District has also stated that the student who made the comments received immediate, and appropriate consequences and that discipline have taken place, the Orange County Register reported. He came into my room STUNNED, Little-Brown wrote of her son who plays for Portola High School. "The language and connotations expressed by the words used do not represent the culture, attitudes or feelings of the students and staff of [Laguna Hills High School], nor those of Saddleback Valley Unified School District," Turner said. As part of that work, we have spent the past two summers participating in school wide reads around this topic. Sabrina Little-Brown shared the video on Instagram on Tuesday, describing how her son, Makai, was taken aback after he heard the comments while rewatching footage from a Friday night game as he always does, on Saturday morning before practice. In addition, key student leaders are developing ways to provide more student voice in this process as well as looking for opportunities to reach out to other schools to stand together, learn from one another, and again, contribute to positive change. 1998 - 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Crystal Turner, superintendent for Saddleback Valley Unified School District, which includes Laguna Hills High, issued a statement Tuesday which acknowledged that racist rants were from a Laguna High student. For athletics, we have seasonal coach, student, and parent meetings to discuss sportsmanship and character and the necessity to demonstrate that on and off the field. Needless to say, our family is up in arms., When reached by The Daily Beast on Wednesday, Laguna Hills High School athletic director Scott Wilford said administrators have been investigating it all weekend and are still working on it.. "As a community, we cannot collectively end systemic racism until there are consequences to actions.". Upland man arrested for molesting girl: Police, Jan. 6: Trumps tweet about Pence criticized, New York Rep. Lee Zeldin attacked at campaign stop, Ferrer takes heat on possible conflict of interest, Law enforcement practices for school shooting, Construction worker burned fighting house fire, Jan. 6 hearing focuses on Trump during the insurrection, Puppy found with mouth taped shut at casino, Youtube to remove abortion misinformation, Elvis actress found dead in Nashville apartment, New chaperone policy coming to Knotts after fights, 4 detained in Fashion Island purse theft: Police, Caught on video: Man robbed of $10K outside SFV bank, Californias worst counties for commuters. Schoolwide we regularly recognize students who demonstrate the school values of Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Drive, and Empathy. As such, our PHS teachers write annual goals in support of social justice reform. There is much more regarding the entire incident that I am not permitted to share, he said. Superintendents for both school districts, in addition to Portola High School and LHHS principals and athletic directors have been in contact. For any IUSDstudents who mayhave been impacted by this incident, please do not hesitate to reach out to your teachers, school counselors orother trusted staff for support. "Every time that I touched the ball, every time something happened with me around, you could hear them saying some sort of remarks toward me," the player told NBC Los Angeles. IUSD is commitment to creating an unbiased and inclusive society through education. Although apologies are necessary, they do not suffice. Saddleback Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dr. A high school basketballers mom has demanded action after a student in the stands was recorded hurling racist comments at her son during a recent game. Both Superintendent Walker and Portola High School Principal Pehrson have been in contact with the family to express our District's support, concern and commitment to continue to engage with Saddleback Valley Unified School District staff to address this egregious and unacceptable conduct. "This issue of racism has permeated deep into the minds of students and adults everywhere," said junior Jett Fukudo. This is just the beginning of the work thats ahead of us and for Laguna Hills High School, of the city of Laguna Hills, Saddleback Unified, fix yourself, Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Kahn reportedly said at the meeting. Portola HS basketball player target of racist slurs during game. His wife and other Portola High School parents addressed their concerns to city leaders during an Irvine City Council meeting on Tuesday night, KABC reported.
I dont know what this will look like in the days and weeks ahead, but we are committed to this journey and look forward to your partnership in the process. David K. Li is a breaking news reporter for NBC News. LAGUNA HILLS (CBSLA) A Laguna Hills High School student unleashed a flurry of racial slurs directed at the only Black player on Portola High School's boy's basketball team during a game last week. "This is an opportunity for us to stand together," said Portola High School Principal John Pehrson on Wednesday. Little-Brown didnt immediately respond to The Daily Beasts request for comment on Wednesday but in her post she alluded to broader challenges, saying she believed Laguna Hills Boys Basketball fosters a culture of aggression, unsportsmanlike conduct and RACISM!. As a result of this verbal abuse my normally calm and level headed husband yelled at the coach to tell him not to address our son, she wrote. District officials say "inappropriate and inflammatory racist comments" were made by a Laguna Hills High School student. to creating an unbiased and inclusive society through education. Dr. This type of lesson/training is indicative of the passion and commitment our staff has to this effort toward positive change. The unidentified student is heard saying, "Where is his slave owner?" We meet monthly in cross curricular groups to specifically discuss Social Justice standards and issues and specifically share how these are applied in the classroom. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast but he told the Orange County Register that Little-Browns retelling of the encounter was inaccurate. Duncan Pritchard, a parent who attended Wednesday's game game was shocked that behavior like this could come from such a community, "They're very privileged children here. Little-Brown and her husband went to the Irvine City Council meeting Tuesday evening to share their outrage after they claimed the hate-filled rant directed at their son Makai continued for the entire game, and no one stepped in to stop it. Most of you have likely heard that an incident occurred at a Varsity Basketball game last Friday night at Laguna Hills HS. The Portola High School and IUSD community stand in full support of our student and hisfamily.
Saddleback Valley Unified School District, of which Laguna Hills High School is a part, confirmed to Patch that the person making the remarks was a student. They've got an excellent education, and they're taught about these things, so I just don't understand," said, "Not only is it heartbreaking but it's also eye opening," Portola High's ASB President Amitoj Singh told CBS reporters at the game, "Seeing this happen just reminded me that there's a lot more work that needs to be done.". "The language and connotations expressed by the words used do not represent the culture, attitudes, or feelings of the students and staff of LHHS, nor those of Saddleback Valley Unified School District," said Turner, the superintendent. Their culture just seems to be broken to where its just not an environment that feels safe, at least safe for us.. She said the school also issued an apology. But the player and his family said the slurs were made throughout the game, which Portola won, 58-48. Yates joined Laguna Hills High School as head boys varsity coach after the 2017 season, according to a biography for coaching staff posted on the Laguna Hills website. Crystal Turner read. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Laguna Hills High School had 10 Black students out of 1,462 last year, less than seven-tenths of 1 percent. "Appropriate personnel actions, while required to remain confidential, have taken place," she said. Hosokawa explained that this incident was a cultural problem and asked a challenging question: Are you going to make yourselves uncomfortable and do the difficult work to change it and teach your students a better way?. All Rights Reserved. I am asking our Bulldog community and families to stand in support of our community members who experience these types of interactions on a regular basis. We need to provide time and space for people to share their stories and work together to support those who have been hurt and build up those who have been torn down. Browns mother, Sabrina Little-Brown, spoke at the Irvine City Council meeting Tuesday night to express her concerns. According to Little-Brown, her son heard the racial slurs while watching game film the next day. They admitted that living in a "bubble" like the suburban communities of Irvine has often shielded them from the harsh realities of life and humanity. The words used by this student will never be acceptable.. Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan also issued a statement late Tuesday night on Facebook: According to the Portola High School online news publication, this instance of hate has happened to others. "What [my son] heard directed 100 percent to him is contained in this video, but these disgusting, racist insults continued throughout the entire game footage," she said. We also appreciate Portola High students and staff, who have been engaging in meaningful conversations throughout this week and have had an opportunity to use this as a learning experience. "The Portola High School and IUSD community stand in full support of our student and their family," Brown said in statement to NBC News on Wednesday. As such, our PHS teachers write annual goals in support of social justice reform. Your email address will not be published. "The student has been counseled, and immediate, appropriate consequences and discipline have taken place," Turner said. Laguna Hills High School said it has taken action over the "unacceptable" incident last week. In the video, a person can be heard saying, Where is his slave owner?, Who let him out of his chains?, Chain him up, and Hes a monkey as her son shoots free-throws. That sentiment was met with outrageous support from friends, family and fans alike. Its deeper than just what that child was saying, he told the outlet. If we stand together maybe we can slowly move toward a better, more inclusive, and loving community. Emma Haag, another cheerleaders, said that the same group called her an anti-Asian slur.