Dear community member,
In this moment of uncertainty, let there be no doubt: Santa Cruz County schools stand with our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities.
The Santa Cruz COE is joining school districts, charters, Cabrillo College, and partners across our community in reaffirming our unwavering commitment to ensuring that our schools remain safe and welcoming spaces for all students, families, and staff, regardless of their immigration status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Our actions include:
Comprehensive Support: We are implementing a countywide, coordinated approach to safeguard the rights of immigrant students and their families. This proactive strategy is designed to provide the resources and support necessary to create a secure, inclusive, and nurturing school environment. It builds on existing partnerships and shared commitments, as affirmed in November when school leaders joined law enforcement and government officials to voice our support for immigrant families (read the letter here). And it includes the launch of the Sus Derechos Project, accessible at susderechos.info, to create a portal for accessing information, resources, and assistance.
Legal Protections: Our actions are guided by California state laws that protect student privacy and strictly limit any cooperation with immigration enforcement agencies. Additionally, we uphold the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act (AB 537), which ensures protections against discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.
Resources for Families: We understand the importance of accessible information and resources. Through collaboration with key community partners, we are continuing to provide tools like the susderechos.info website, offering guidance on immigrants’ rights under California and federal law, as well as connections to legal and community support. For LGBTQ+ youth and families, we continue to work with the countywide Safe Schools Project, and to provide direct resources and leadership opportunities. In addition, we will be hosting an LGBTQ+ summit for educators in March to focus our efforts and ensure a unified approach.
As educators and administrators, we are deeply committed to ensuring every student has access to a nurturing educational environment, free from fear or discrimination. We appreciate the support of our entire school community in these efforts as we work to uphold our legal, and moral, responsibility to protect and empower every member of our community.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to ensuring our schools serve as a beacon of safety, respect, and inclusivity for all.
Yours in education and equity,
Dr. Faris Sabbah
County Superintendent of Schools