Starting in October, CDS added another program that falls under our goal of keeping our community connected. CDS parent and representative of the Tampa Bay Bucs organization, Angela Smith, brought up the idea, seeing similar goals, connected us with the Tampa PD for the opportunity to lean into difficult conversations together. With Director of Wellness/Upper School Counselor, Krista Diamond, at the helm, CDS began a partnership with local law enforcement to share perspectives, build trust, and encourage positive relationships with the police.

Since the start of this initiative, members of the CDS upper school group SLAPT (student leader action planning team), CDS faculty and staff, CDS parent Angela Smith, police officers, and detectives have come together, either in person or on Zoom, to share their experiences with law enforcement, talk about their fears and concerns, and listen to others. Every roundtable starts with a review of the essential agreements: assume positive intention, confidentiality, and listening for understanding; and with each meeting, trust is built and difficult topics are discussed.

Most recently the discussion of systemic racism and law enforcement initiatives as they relate to how the police and youth view them differently and similarly were on the table. While these topics are sometimes difficult to discuss, the group of students that have been participating, have approached them with those essential agreements in mind. Their ability to be vulnerable and honest, with not only their peers but the officers and adults in the room, has proved to be both impressive and enlightening. 

During the school year, the members of SLAPT have taken time to bring diversity and inclusion into the middle school. With this new police relations group, some 8th graders have been invited to the discussion. Below is some of the feedback from these students. 

"Acceptance is always displayed at CDS. Acceptance of ideas, thoughts, dreams, aspirations, and just the truth is very rare. Having the opportunity to speak with my peers of different races about the topics of social injustice and the many rough topics was a blessing. Understanding the different perspectives of different individuals who have experienced a variety of things, altered my mindset for the better. I am glad I was selected to participate in this eye-opening experience. Thank you for allowing me to share my voice!" Christian C.

I really enjoyed the talk and it was very eye-opening. It gave me a new perspective on racial relations in America. Aarnav C.

The small group was such an amazing opportunity for the 8th grade, teachers, and officers to learn off of each other. During the conversation, we had deep conversations about the global situation that goes back to hundreds of years of slavery. I am so grateful I got this opportunity and it was an amazing learning experience. Sophia V.

"It was good. I enjoyed talking about tough topics. Are we going to have another one?" Eli C.

"Thank you for including me in the discussion! It was a very in-depth and eye-opening conversation and I appreciate SLAPT taking action on topics they believe in and coming to the middle school classrooms during advisory. Discussions like today’s help people such as myself to become more aware of topics like white privilege and racism. I learned a lot of things from today." Samantha H.

Thank you to Detective Jarda Bradford, from the Tampa PD, Angela Smith, Officer Baker, CDS SLAP(T) group, members of CDS middle school, and the CDS faculty and staff for facilitating and participating in this very important program.