Teachers Play Dress up as Border Agents

This weekend, many states offered tax-free back to school sales. This weekend included Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia. There are more states slated in the coming weekends including Maryland and Massachusetts. Here is the list of states participating.

Cheers ☕

Culturally insensitive

Royall Elementary School in Florence, South Carolina, has become the center of controversy. The school's attempt at an "Olympic parade" event went horribly wrong when staff members dressed up as “Border Patrol” agents to represent Mexico. This tone-deaf decision has rightfully sparked outrage among parents and the wider community.

The school's Facebook page, which should be a platform for celebrating student achievements, instead became a showcase for offensive stereotypes. Staff members were seen wearing sombreros and posing in front of a sign reading "Royall Cantina," reducing Mexican culture to harmful caricatures. It's baffling that those who we entrust our kid’s education could be so oblivious to the implications of their actions.

The backlash was swift and justified, with Mexican-American parents expressing their deep offense at the display. People pointed out the disconnect between the message of the Olympics and what teachers chose to represent during their Olympic parade.

This incident is particularly troubling, given the school's demographics. With around 40 Hispanic and Latino students out of 462, Royall Elementary should be acutely aware of the need for cultural sensitivity. Instead, they've alienated and offended the community they should be supporting.

The school's apology was necessary, but it still feels inadequate given the magnitude of their misstep. Superintendent Dr. Richard O'Malley's promise of accountability is a step in the right direction. Yet, it remains to be seen what concrete actions will be taken to address this issue. As our schools become increasingly diverse, it's clear that much work needs to be done to ensure that educators are equipped to celebrate and respect all cultures rather than reducing them to harmful stereotypes. This incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing need for cultural competency training in our education system.

African-American studies a no-go in Georgia

Georgia's education system is once again embroiled in controversy, this time over the fate of an Advanced Placement African American studies course. State School Superintendent Richard Woods has decided not to recommend approval for the class, citing concerns that it violates Georgia's 2022 "divisive concepts" bill. This decision highlights the growing tension between educational content and politically-driven legislation.

The "divisive concepts" bill, a piece of legislation that has sparked debate across the nation, prohibits classroom discussion of nine specific concepts related to race and racism. Woods claims that parts of the AP course, particularly its treatment of intersectionality, run afoul of this law. This move mirrors similar actions in other states, such as Arkansas and Florida, where the course has become a lightning rod in the ongoing culture wars.

At the heart of the controversy is the concept of intersectionality, an academic framework that examines how various aspects of a person's identity intersect and influence their experiences. Critics argue that teaching such concepts amounts to indoctrination, while supporters contend that it's crucial for understanding the complexities of historical and contemporary social issues. The course's content on the Black Feminist Movement and interlocking systems of oppression has come under particular scrutiny.

Educators on the ground, however, paint a different picture. Rashad Brown, an Atlanta Public Schools teacher who has taught the course, argues that the content is not only appropriate but essential for understanding historical figures like Sojourner Truth. He emphasizes that students from diverse backgrounds have responded positively to the course, describing it as eye-opening and valuable. Brown's experience raises questions about the disconnect between legislative concerns and classroom realities.

The fallout from this decision could be significant:

• Public schools may lose access to a course that provides in-depth exploration of African American history and culture

• The move could further fuel debates about academic freedom and the role of politics in education

• It may set a precedent for other states grappling with similar "divisive concepts" legislation

• The decision could face legal challenges, as Woods himself has hinted at possible exemptions for AP, IB, and dual enrollment courses

As Georgia grapples with this contentious issue, it's clear that the intersection of education policy and cultural politics will continue to shape the landscape of public education in the state and beyond.

The Final Minute

1. In a contentious case unfolding in San Gabriel Unified School District, a teacher's aide, Alyssa Esquivel, has filed a lawsuit claiming her constitutional rights were violated when she was suspended without pay for bringing Trump-themed items to campus. The dispute, which began in June 2023, escalated from conflicts over a water bottle with Trump stickers to a backpack prominently displaying "TRUMP," leading to Esquivel's extended paid leave and eventual unpaid suspension. This case highlights the ongoing tension between personal political expression and workplace policies in educational settings, with Esquivel seeking damages, reinstatement, and the right to carry her Trump-themed items on campus.

2. In a significant move to address affordable housing needs, Housing for All and its partners have completed the Fox Valley Apartments project in Aurora, Illinois, transforming two historic schools and constructing a new building to create 47 affordable workforce housing units. The $22.8 million development, funded through various sources including tax credits and city incentives, offers a range of studio to three-bedroom apartments for households earning at or below 30% and 60% of the area median income. This project not only preserves local history by repurposing the Abraham Lincoln School and Mary A. Todd School but also provides much-needed affordable housing and community amenities, including a health clinic for low-income families in the area.

3. In a significant turn of events, a West Virginia judge has ordered Paden City High School to remain open, overturning a county superintendent's decision to relocate classes due to contaminated groundwater. The ruling comes after residents fought against the closure, arguing that the federal government had not recommended shutting down the school as there was no immediate health risk. This case highlights the ongoing tension between environmental concerns and community preservation, with the judge's decision prioritizing the immediate educational and social needs of the small town of about 2,500 residents, despite the groundwater's placement on the list of Superfund cleanup sites due to high levels of tetrachloroethylene, a likely carcinogen commonly used in dry cleaning.

4. In a recent ruling, a Kansas federal judge blocked the enforcement of new Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ and pregnant students in over 100 Michigan schools attended by children of Moms for Liberty members. This decision, part of a broader conservative pushback against Biden-era regulations, creates a complex enforcement landscape where some Michigan schools follow new rules while others adhere to Trump-era policies. Despite this ruling, Michigan's state laws still provide protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in educational institutions, potentially mitigating the impact of the federal injunction.

Closing Bell

On this day in 1958…

The Billboard Top 100 released its first, official list of hit songs. The first #1 song on the Billboard Top 100 was “Poor Little Fool” by Ricky Nelson. The artist with the most number 1 hits? The Beatles of course with 20 followed by Mariah Carey with 19.