Dear SWWHS Alumni and Families of Alumni,

As you may have heard, Principal Trogisch was abruptly terminated on Wednesday, October 7. This came without warning and the Walls (high school and Francis-Stevens) communities are shocked. This callous act by DC Government layers yet another crisis on top of a moment of unprecedented instability.

We are reaching out to share our initial actions and ask for your support, as we begin to organize our students and families in pursuing the spirit of activism Principal Trogisch has always encouraged. 

Below is a timeline of what has taken place to date following the announcement of Principal Trogisch's removal, including action from the SWWHS HSA and LSAT, the SWWHS SGA, Teachers (via the union), and reaction from officials. 

• October 7, 2020: 
  • Joint Statement on Behalf of SWWHS and SWW @ Francis-Stevens (SWWFS) HSAs and LSATs
  • Statement by the SWWHS Student Government Association (SGA)
• October 8, 2020:
  • Rally and protest at SWWFS campus.  This story and this thread best reflect the confrontation that took place. 
  • Petition by the Washington Teachers Union - PLEASE SIGN THIS, it specifically reflects SWWHS HSA and LSAT asks for transparency and inclusion that Principal Trogisch pushed for. 
• October 9, 2020:
  • SWWHS Student-organized peaceful protest at SWWHS
  • DC Councilmembers issued a letter to DCPS Chancellor Ferebee asking for transparency on the circumstances behind his removal and expressing concerns about the readiness of schools to re-open.

We encourage you to read this piece by Dana Milbank of the Washington Post. We are trying to capture press coverage here.

Please continue to help us amplify how destabilizing this is not only to our school community, but to our ability to trust buildings will be safe for students and teaches to resume in-person learning. 

• The HSA and LSAT have tried to capture all folks who have been advocating via Twitter here and via #ReinstateRich  #OnlyWhenItsSafe. 
• Students (and let's face it, the younger folks) have been communicating on Instagram via the SGA and #DemandYourEducation.

With gratitude and kinship.

Sandra Moscoso on behalf of the SWWHS HSA Board