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“We sincerely apologize for its use and the harm it has caused,” the school said in its statement. “While the teacher has taken responsibility and admits the mistake of not properly vetting the resource, we know that is not enough and she has been placed on administrative leave until further notice.”
CNN obtained a copy of a letter that Head of School David Feldman sent home to Roeper parents on May 17, in which he said he “sincerely” regrets the use of the worksheet and the harm it caused.
“We talk about our commitment to doing the important work of educating ourselves and the community in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, and yet on this occasion, we did not live up to our core values,” Feldman said in the letter.
“Our students deserve to learn in an environment that is safe and where they are treated with dignity. And our adults must continue to model how to listen when a community member is hurt, apologize when necessary, and take action to ensure it does not happen again.”
The school will immediately implement curriculum and professional development focused on racial bias and cultural competencies, Feldman said in the letter.
The worksheet originated from a Duke University undergraduate assignment posted to the school of anthropology’s website, a spokesperson for the university told CNN.
“We were not aware that this document was available on one of our departmental websites, and it was immediately removed once it was brought to our attention,” Erin Kramer, Duke’s Assistant Vice President for Media and Public Affairs, said in a statement to CNN.
“It appears the document was created in 2010 by two undergraduate students as part of an independent study course in evolutionary anthropology. To be clear, this was a student paper. It was never used as a lesson plan in a Duke class or by a Duke faculty member, nor was it promoted as a teaching tool,” Kramer said.
In another letter obtained by CNN, Feldman announced classes were canceled on May 19 as the school was receiving threats on social media.
“Many of you may be aware that a news story about the lesson is now circulating widely online. Unfortunately, this has prompted threats to our community’s safety which we are taking very seriously,” Feldman said in that letter.
A spokesperson for the Birmingham Police Department would not comment on specific threats made to the school.
CNN has not received comment from the school’s PTA.
CNN’s Jenn Selva and Caroll Alvarado contributed to this report.
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