SANDWICH — A 90-minute wide-ranging panel discussion on race relations in Sandwich on Sunday provided a good start, but organizers agreed more work needs to be done on the issue.

The Town Hall forum, which was attended by about 50 people, was titled “Let’s Talk About: Building an Inclusive School Culture” in response to a February fight between two Sandwich High School students.

"This is one night — hopefully one of many — where you all can learn, listen and collaborate with one another and take all this information and make the Sandwich community stronger," said event facilitator Caitlan Sheehan, a member of Duxbury Public School's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee.

The forum, which was organized by Sandwich for All, an organization dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in Sandwich, included Sheehan; and panelists Pamela Gould, superintendent of Sandwich Public Schools; Peggy Shukur, deputy regional director of the New England Anti-Defamation League; Peter Wack, chief of Sandwich Police Department; Andre King, Sandwich educator and Barnstable School Committee member; and Kristi Bader, a member of the Sandwich Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council.

The purpose of the forum, said Margot Critchfield, co-founder and member of Sandwich for All, was to pull the community together to learn and grow after months of racist bullying resulted in a physical altercation between Ras Russell, 15, and another student at Sandwich High School in February.

“We felt it was critical for the district to make a public statement acknowledging what had happened,” she said. “And further explain why they were not being more forthcoming about the details. Sandwich has a reputation for sweeping things under the rug and it’s time for change.”

The forum didn’t directly address the details of the fight that resulted in a prolonged school suspension for Russell, and felony charges for both students, according to the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office. The event featured discussion designed to increase awareness and bridge communication between public officials and the Sandwich community.

More:Assault charges end in diversion program for Sandwich student Ras Russell

When Russell appeared in court May 4, he faced three criminal charges, including a felony, but avoided convictions by accepting the terms of a diversion program that requires him to be monitored by the District Attorney’s office for six months. The specific charges for the other student haven't been disclosed.

“Our dream was to have an event that would include authorities who’d overseen the aftermath of the February event,” Critchfield said. “Our goal was to learn from what happened and address questions.”

Sheehan, who identifies as a bi-racial woman and former teacher, asked each panelist a series of questions meant to provoke thoughts on how to promote diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and strategies for interrupting hate and bias in everyday conversations.  

As she opened discussion, Sheehan said there is emotion surrounding race relations. But the purpose of the forum was to increase understanding as school systems, town officials, and community members develop cultures of inclusion.

“Shifting culture and changing hearts and minds is really difficult,” she said. “You have to dig in. You cannot do it alone. And you have to find those thought partners and conspirators to help you move along.”

The intended outcome, Sheehan said, is to increase awareness and inclusion among public officials and dig into collective understanding and collective work.

“These are not isolated things in inclusive environments anywhere. Not just Sandwich. Not just Duxbury. Not just Massachusetts," she said. "It all goes beyond those borders and beyond those walls." 

More:Sandwich school officials accused of ignoring, being blind to racism, and racist acts

One by one, panelists answered questions about bias, bias incidents, microaggressions, hate crimes, restorative practices and more.

Gould was asked what she felt an inclusive school culture and community should look like for Sandwich students. Gould said she recently had an interview with a student who revealed that not all students feel comfortable within the Sandwich school system. 

"We were talking about this and she was acknowledging that there are some kids that don't have that sense of belonging — not necessarily around DEI issues," she said. "But an inclusive environment is when every single kid comes to school and feels comfortable and loves what they are doing, and feels involved. That's always something I've strived for."

Bader, the DEI advisory council member, said the murder of George Floyd was a pivotal moment for her regarding her thoughts on American society. She said it was then that she realized that schools, and communities need to do better regarding anti-racism policies. 

"Safety should be the minimum. It really isn't just about respecting differences around people, but celebrating those differences," she said. "If we celebrate each other's differences, there is a joy and authenticity to that that raises everyone up."

King, a history teacher at Sandwich S.T.E.M Academy, said the idea of inclusive school communities is helping students, staff and administration see collective goals and how they operate within the greater school community. 

"People need to understand how they can move forward with personal aspirations but then also their cultural affirmations," he said. "The idea of inclusion is when people recognize your individual niche and comfort zone framework."

Shukur said her experience revolves around communities that aren't as inclusive as possible. She said she teaches people to confront those who may be falling short and not living up to the standards and goals of inclusivity.

"There needs to be a commitment to wanting to learn and wanting to be called out and not being afraid of that confrontation," she said. "There's an intent-versus-impact conversation that we often have that includes the ability to recognize the impact that you are having on members of the community."

Throughout the discussion, Wack primarily focused on providing information on how to provide a safe environment to those that live and work in Sandwich. He guides his department to respond in a way where people's rights are being respected.

More:Sandwich High student arraignment delayed but school return possible

But Wack also spoke about the differences between a bias and a hate crime. A hate crime, he said, is an act where somebody is trying to intimidate another person based on race, religion, color or sexual orientation.

"They may do it through violence or trying to damage another person's property. When we are alerted to a crime, we always investigate it," he said. "But when we are able to establish that a crime is motivated based on a bias that builds into the definition of a hate crime, then we have that charge and work with the District Attorney's office to make sure it's prosecuted."

The forum also covered six strategies for addressing hate and bias in everyday conversation including interruption; explaining impact; asking a question; connecting historical context; broadening universal behavior; and circling back. 

Critchfield was pleased at the turnout, but said conversations and foundational work to develop diversity, equity and inclusion practices within Sandwich schools must continue.

“We keep reminding ourselves that this is only the first of what we expect will be many public conversations going forward,” he said. “This is no one-and-done. It's a first, and for Sandwich that’s huge."

Jonathan Finn, also of Sandwich for All, agreed and said consistency is key.

Newly elected Sandwich School Committee member Christine Brown said she especially appreciated the six strategies for interrupting hate and bias in everyday conversation.

“It’s giving real practical advice for how people can respond to microaggressions,” she said. “Even as an adult it’s hard to stand up for someone in front of other people. Having scripts and go-to information was extremely helpful.”

Former Sandwich student Jacob Swenson also attended the panel discussion, and said he was interested in learning about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in Sandwich.

Swenson said he helped author a letter in 2020, along with former Sandwich students Clare Mulroy, and Daniela Gil Veras, regarding school climates and DEI policies.

The letter asked Gould to take a stronger stance on race relations and highlighted five requests including to strengthen diversity and inclusion training for all faculty and staff; incorporate phrases “diversity” and “hate speech” into the student handbook; integrate a more comprehensive look into race relations and power structures in all classes; promote and require conversations about race and privilege in freshman senior classes; and to establish and strengthen classes on critical race, gender, class, and sexuality studies.

The letter prompted the creation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Although Swenson was disheartened over recent incidents at Sandwich High School, he said he’s hopeful that more work can be done to create a more inclusive community.

Evelyn Milbur, a former Sandwich student and current Sandwich resident, said she appreciates the efforts made during the panel discussion, but feels there’s been a lack of accountability and realization that the topics addressed are nothing new.

Wilbur said people from marginalized communities have consistently tried to address issues regarding DEI, but aren’t heard by Sandwich school and town officials.

Newly hired School Superintendent Joe Maruszczak attended the forum and said he is familiar with the concepts it reviewed. He believes strongly, he said, that such conversations should continue.

Maruszczak will replace Gould on July 1, but said he plans to conduct transition days before his actual start date. He also expects to attend School Committee meetings before the end of the school year. DEI initiatives will be at the forefront of his administration, he said.

Although he’s aware that some of the public is frustrated over a lack of diversity on both the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee, as well as Sandwich for All, Maruszczak said he plans to make connections and diversify Sandwich groups organically.

“I think it (school and community groups) should be diversified, but I also think its something that we can’t force,” he said. “Part of the way that you do that is you put the work at the forefront and excite people.”