Student reps urge a 'living' land acknowledgement and propose 4th-grade field trip

Student leaders used the board meeting to press for a land-acknowledgement process that goes beyond words on paper. Maggie, a student presenter, said the group wants the acknowledgement “to actually do things with it,” including classroom lessons and a possible 4th-grade field trip to the Maiden of Deception Pass statue built by the Samish Indian Nation.

Caleb Manion, ASB president, said the student group’s statement “shows humility and gratitude,” and he tied the effort to curriculum integration, noting the acknowledgement references the Treaty of Point Elliott from 1855. The students also described plans to support a ‘coffee council’ with Dr. Casabula to increase student voice and to organize a statewide student-representative retreat with AWSP. The board praised the presentation and Director Jensen asked the presenters to confirm the proposed field-trip grade level; Maggie confirmed it would be for fourth graders.

The students additionally highlighted extracurricular activities and community outreach — choir town tours, drama festival entries and a robotics jamboree — as evidence of strong student engagement the board said complements the district’s strategic plan. The district did not take formal action on the proposals at the meeting; the student presenters were thanked and the district will consider next steps with staff and ASB.