Student representative says self-defense class 'poorly executed,' urges new provider for Blackhawk schools

Andrew, the student representative, told the Blackhawk School District Board of School Directors on March 21 that multiple students raised concerns about a recently taught self-defense course, saying the program had been "poorly executed" and included what students perceived as "implicit victim blaming." Andrew said some students were triggered during the sessions and that students who left class to comfort peers were reportedly failed by a teacher for doing so.

The matter drew attention in public comment when Bar Brown asked the board who provided the training; the board identified the provider as "Catherine ra" from Pittsburgh Martial Arts Academy, who had previously presented to the board. Andrew said he is not assigning blame to any single administrator, stating, "I am not saying this is Dr vat's fault" and urging the district to consider a different provider if the class is offered again.

In his report Andrew also noted the course had been presented to students as mandatory, and that students who opted out reported being ridiculed. He recommended that any future self-defense instruction be open to all students, not only girls, and that the district seek a provider with stronger execution and sensitivity to trauma.

Board minutes show the self-defense training had been approved at an August meeting; a visitor referenced those minutes while asking for the provider's name. The transcript does not record any formal directive from the board to open an investigation, to require a follow-up report from administration, or to schedule a staff presentation on the issue at a future meeting.

The student representative's report also included other routine updates, such as an RB/Arby's donation to clear more than $30,000 in student lunch debt and upcoming school events, but the board did not take a formal vote on the self-defense concerns during the March 21 session. The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for April 11, 2024.