Bunnell Elementary School’s new principal, Donelle Evensen, attempted a unique strategy to address academic performance concerns. However, it backfired spectacularly, sparking outrage and accusations of racial insensitivity. Here’s the whole story.
Black Students Were Warned That Those With Lower Grades Have a Higher Chance of Going to Jail, Getting Shot, or Getting Killed!
The incident unfolded when Principal Evensen organized a special assembly for fourth and fifth-grade students.
The principal gathered only the black students, regardless of their test scores, and reportedly delivered a message that deeply troubled both students and their parents.
For many, the issue took a racial turn when it became apparent that the assembly had singled out black students exclusively, grouping them irrespective of their academic standing.
The students were warned that those with lower grades have a higher chance of going to jail, getting shot, or getting killed.
… But They Can Win “A Meal From McDonald’s”
But they were offered the chance to win “a meal from McDonald’s” if they improved their scores.
One parent shared her concern: “It became racial for me when they included and boxed all of the black children together no matter if they were below average, average, or above average.”
The aftermath of the assembly has left parents grappling with the emotional fallout on their children.
Jacinda Arrington, a concerned parent, expressed her shock, saying, “Now when my daughter has to go take a test, that’s in the back of her mind.”
“There Was No Malice Intended in Planning This Student Outreach”
The controversy drew the attention of school district officials, including interim superintendent LaShakia Moore.
Moore met with Principal Evensen to discuss the incident and its results.
In a statement, Moore conveyed that while there was no malicious intent, the approach had gone awry.
She said, “In speaking with Mrs. Evensen, it is clear there was no malice intended in planning this student outreach. However, sometimes, when you try to think ‘outside the box,’ you forget why the box is there.”
The incident also occurred in the broader context of Florida’s education landscape, which has been undergoing contentious transformation.
The “Stop Woke Act” – A Controversial Measure To Limit Discussions About Race in Schools
Governor Ron DeSantis had introduced the “Stop Woke Act,” a controversial measure to limit discussions about race in schools.
This act added a layer of complexity to the Bunnell Elementary School controversy. However, county officials said this incident was not directly tied to political initiatives.
Cheryl Massaro, County School Board Chair, distanced the incident from political agendas saying, “It wasn’t a great idea… It’s sad that it was segregated by race because that’s not fair, but that’s what happened.”
Massaro acknowledged the inappropriateness of the approach while stressing that it was a localized mistake rather than a reflection of more significant policy shifts.
“Sounds Like Ron de Ku-Klux-Klantis Found a ‘Colored’ Girl To Join His Hate the Blacks Move.”
Several social media users expressed their thoughts on the incident.
One Twitter user wrote, “White students make up 3X the number of Black students… but somehow, without checking individual scores, it was automatically the “Black Kids” fault that the school received a low score.”
Another User wrote, “Such a Florida thing nowadays – or was it always a racist state and no one noticed? Shame on that school – should all be fired.”
A third user added, “Sounds like Ron De Ku-Klux-Klantis found a ‘colored’ girl to join his hate the blacks move.”
“I Refuse To Listen to White Women Cry” – She Takes a Brave Stand Calling Out
The post Florida’s ‘Stop Woke Act’ Backlash as School Principal Singles Out Black Students Over Test Scores, Sparks Outrage and ‘Ron de Ku-Klux-Klantis’ Accusations! first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
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Source: Daily Mail