Date: Fri 30-Jun-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

a5-PTA-Council-mascot-indian

Full Text:

PTA COUNCIL POSITION ON SCHOOL MASCOT CAME AS A SURPRISE

BY AMY D'ORIO

The PTA Council supports changing Newtown High School's mascot, contending the

current one is disrespectful to Native Americans.

At the council's May meeting, council member Bonnie Kraft-Gallagher

recommended the council back the students who are seeking to change the

school's symbol.

½I was very impressed with the commitment of the young people involved in

this,¾ she said.

Mrs Kraft-Gallagher said the students should be rewarded for trying to right a

wrong, adding that the Board of Education was not as supportive as it could

have been.

A group of students worked throughout the school year to get the mascot

changed, showing a video about the issue to numerous classes. The students,

who call themselves Students Working to Eliminate Prejudice, also made a

presentation to the Board of Education and asked for its support. The board

decided not to take sides.

The PTA Council felt differently. Paula America, the council's president, said

the council did not plan to discuss the mascot issue, but when Mrs

Kraft-Gallagher raised the issue, the decision came swiftly.

½It was very cut and dried,¾ she said.

The council notified the public of its decision in a letter to the The Newtown

Bee , published in the June 16 issue.

The letter said: ½The Indian has been the school's mascot for many years and a

number of people feel very strongly about the tradition and history, however,

this doesn't make it correct. Why is having an Indian as the school mascot any

less inappropriate and disrespectful than having a black, an Asian or a

handicapped person? ... The Newtown PTA Council urges the high school

administration to be responsible and take appropriate action to change the

school's mascot.¾

The council's letter was a surprise to SWEEP, which planned to speak to the

PTA about the mascot issue, but did not.

½It was completely unsolicited,¾ said Stephanie Dorenbosch. ½I was really

surprised because we have a more positive response from younger people than

adults.¾

Student Mark Rucktenwald said he was really pleased another group in town

besides SWEEP was willing to make a statement on this issue.

½I liked the letter a lot,¾ he said.

The students researched the mascot issue for an independent study with social

studies teacher Jan Brookes. They videotaped a high school pep rally, showed

it to a Native American youth group and videotaped their reactions to it.

The students showed the video to numerous classes, faculty and the Board of

Education before school ended.

The Board of Education told the students that the high school should really

handle the mascot issue. Newtown High School Principal William Manfredonia has

said he plans to address the issue next year.