School Suspends 7th Grade Girl for Speaking her Native Language

Is this yet another example of the christian charity shown by teachers in a Catholic school? Is this respect for diversity? Difficult to believe that those claiming to be christian can stray so far from the teachings of their founder.

Miranda attends Sacred Heart Catholic Academy in Shawano, Wisconsin, which is situated about six miles from the south border of the Menominee Indian Tribe

hey if they are here sneaking across the border at least they could learn to speak English...oh wait....

Is this the 1800's?

Morning Love - Catholic and other religious schools are taught by people who IMHO lack the skills needed to be able to teach or even cope in the real world. These so-called teachers should be ashamed of their actions but that will never happen, in reading one of the comments it's the fault of the parents of this little girl. Sick!

Catholic and other religious schools are taught by people who IMHO lack the skills needed to be able to teach or even cope in the real world.

I think that depends on the training and qualifications of teachers in religious schools. Many of those teachers receive have the same training and degrees as others who teach in public schools--or cope with and work in the real world.

Only when schools hire teachers solely based on their religious commitment is there reason to look for problems.

so many , especially on the right , have been screaming that people should speak the Native tongue of America .... English.

yet English isn't the Native tongue.

the Menominee language is just one of the true Native tongues.

the Menominee language is just one of the true Native tongues.

Speak it all you would like in public - When in a private school that you do not have to attend abide by the rules - Is that too hard for some to understand?

"In terms of policies related to issues that are coming up, as a diocese, in our schools we do not prohibit the use of Native American languages," he said. "In every classroom situation, we expect our students to be responsive to the direction and supervision of the teacher. It's an issue of mutual respect and common courtesy."

http://www.shawanoleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&subsectionID=27&articleID=30309

seems the teacher took umbrage because she didn't know what the student was saying... maybe the teacher should get a little more involved in the school community since 60% of the school is from the American Indian tribes..

seems the teacher took umbrage because she didn't know what the student was saying... maybe the teacher should get a little more involved in the school community since 60% of the school is from the American Indian tribes..

Any proof of that or just making things up? Were the students talking while the teacher was? Were they in the back of the class interrupting others? We do not know do we? Yet here you are accusing teachers of things with no proof at all -

FTA~

The teacher would probably ask the students to speak in a language that they could understand because they would have no idea what they were saying to one another," said Keary Mattson, principal at Gresham Community School. "It could be anything from bullying to racist comments to threats. We certainly need to know what students are talking about."

try reading BM.. it's in the article.. didn't you look at the link??

BostonMan, I believe you have a very valid, albeit unpopular, point. Speaking in foreign languages after being requested to abstain from doing so DOES deserve words of reprimand. She failed to follow a simple request. Instead, she DID toss an attitude back at the teacher, which was extremely disrespectful in nature. Another teacher addressed that disrespect, and she tossed MORE attitude back at the teacher. She was suspended FOR THE DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR, not the smattering of foreign chatter.

This was not an issue of discrimination. This was an issue of disobedience which, in the private school setting, is of tantamount importance.

DO NOT JUDGE this situation until you have all the information. We, too, live in a school district with a majority of Native Americans. The Native Americans live by differing rules of conduct than other students, and it is almost impossible to obtain a sense of balance in both discipline and education due to the differences. The other students recognize the leniency towards the Native Americans and resent it. This drives a major conflict, which creates the need for rules which may seem ridiculous in any other school but are ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY in schools of this type. One of the rules is the abstention of foreign communication. Another one is the absence of certain seemingly harmless hand gestures (gang signs).

Please be open minded when following these types of situations, as what seems to be a shocking display of discrimination is nothing but a placation of potentially volatile interpersonal relationships.

believe you have a very valid, albeit unpopular, point. Speaking in foreign languages after being requested to abstain from doing so DOES deserve words of reprimand

UTTER BULL@!$%#. It is a COMPLETELY INVALID POINT dressed up to hide the stupid racism of this so-called 'teacher.'

Please be open minded when following these types of situations, as what seems to be a shocking display of discrimination is nothing but a placation of potentially volatile interpersonal relationships.

UTTER BULL@!$%#. Again. This is the stupidest, most idiotic excuse I have heard yet for harassing a multi-lingual person. This has NOTHING to do with "placation" and everything to do with crushing a student's ethnicity under a monolithic white bootheel.

Speaking in foreign languages after being

actually English is a foreign language in America... Native American... get it?? now about that open mind...

Another teacher addressed that disrespect, and she tossed MORE attitude back at the teacher

I didn't read that in either of the articles I read... possibly you have misplaced the issue here...

"DO NOT JUDGE this situation until you have all the information" ... to quote you...

Miranda, 12, said she and her friends had spoken Menominee once before and had been told not to by Gurta.

So they were told not to in the past but did it again anyways?

The story says they were in homeroom - Was it supposed to be quiet for kids to study? Were all kids speaking ? Or were these kids speaking when they were not supposed to be and in a language they were already told once not to do?

try reading BM.. it's in the article.. didn't you look at the link??

That quote was from another principal at another school- Did you read your own link?

Other principals said they had not encountered similar situations, but noted that if a full conversation was going on, they would handle it as Gurta had.

"The teacher would probably ask the students to speak in a language that they could understand because they would have no idea what they were saying to one another," said Keary Mattson, principal at Gresham Community School. "It could be anything from bullying to racist comments to threats. We certainly need to know what students are talking about."

OK, while banning Menominee, does the school system allow Hispanic students the right to speak in Spanish and provide interpreters for them? What is the power that Hispanics have that they are not required to do as the rest of the country if forced to do and the operative word here is forced.

actually English is a foreign language in America... Native American... get it?? now about that open mind...

Right - And the PRIVATE school that this happened to can set their own rules which students must adhere to - Don't like the rules? Got to a different school - How about that idea?

UTTER BULL@!$%#. It is a COMPLETELY INVALID POINT dressed up to hide the stupid racism of this so-called 'teacher.'

Another BS cry of racism? What a shock - Of course the fact that she had been told previously not to speak in a different language does not matter right ? And the fact that this is a PRIVATE school is lost on you huh ?

No rule was broken.

Hiding behind a defense that Miranda was suspended for an "attitude problem," the school has since taken little action in dealing with this clear case of discrimination. Miranda's mother, Karen Washinawatok, is the director of the Language and Culture Commission of the Menominee Tribe and holds a degree in linguistics. She said Miranda is fairly fluent in the Menominee language, which they speak at home.

This is an intolerance problem, nothing more.

Another BS cry of racism?

That's exactly what it was. Go cry elsewhere if that bothers you.

The principal at Sacred Heart Catholic School said he did not intend to discriminate against a seventh-grader when he kept her from playing in a basketball game after she apparently used the Menominee language in class.

there is not a school rule in the Diocese against speaking a native american language... NONE per the Diocese in Green Bay...

"In terms of policies related to issues that are coming up, as a diocese, in our schools we do not prohibit the use of Native American languages,"

The teacher "slammed her hands down on the desk and stated, 'You are not to speak like that. How do I know you're not saying something bad? How would you like it if I spoke in Polish and you didn't understand?'" said Miranda's mother, Tanaes Washinawatok. "I had Miranda re-enact what happened for me. I was literally in shock.

http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20120202/APC0101/302030039/Shawano-Sacred-Heart-Catholic-School-principal-Menominee-language-benched-basketball

"It was breakdown in communication," he said. "It was very unfortunate and I do apologize. I wasn't aware that the Menominee language was involved. We plan to host cultural events, and hope to put a positive spin on it. There are things to be learned and ways to grow."

sounds to me like the teacher was having a bad day... but the Diocese should have a discussion to see if this particular teacher harbors any ill will towards the student...

No rule was broken.

Were they supposed to be talking when they were? Yes or no please?

Oh that is right the story does not say does it? And the girls were told before not to speak in that language corect? Yes or no please?

This is an intolerance problem, nothing more.

No this is a not following the rules problem - nothing more

That's exactly what it was. Go cry elsewhere if that bothers you

The crying is being done by the left on here- or some - crying racism without all the facts of the story -

It says she was suspended for an attitude problem. In other words, there's no "rule" against speaking her language.

Keep living in denial, BM, I could care less.

The key thing here is that they werent reprimanded for speaking out of turn... or speaking where they shouldnt... or drawing attention in the class by speaking when the teacher was speaking...

The key is... the teacher specifically had an issue with her speaking her own language.

That is unacceptable behavior in a teacher who is supposed to teach tolerance.

If the girl was supposed to not speak in class, she should have been reprimanded for "general disruption". If the teacher thought it was rude to be spoken to in another language, she could have pulled the kid aside and let her know that it's rude to speak in an unknown language in front of other people who dont know it.

If the teacher really wanted to be constructive, she could have reprimanded the use there, then requested the girl share some phrases at a predetermined time with the entire class so that the teacher could also learn.

It isnt that difficult... being a bitch about it and making it a big deal that she was speaking in an unknown language is not how to teach the girl manners, nor how to demonstrate acceptance of differences between people in society.

If you could care less why did you reply ?

But i guess this is the world you'd like right smith ? Maybe in the future we can have classrooms broken up by different cultures? Over in one corner we have a few kids speaking chinese, in another corner we can have a few speaking spanish , in another a few talking french, and in another corner we can have a few speaking menominee -

And hopefully this school will follow thru with their new "cultural awareness program" - It is not like our schools are falling behind or anything right?

If the teacher thought it was rude to be spoken to in another language, she could have pulled the kid aside and let her know that it's rude to speak in an unknown language in front of other people who dont know it.

The student had been told once before not to use a different language while in class - This was not the first time

Miranda, 12, said she and her friends had spoken Menominee once before and had been told not to by Gurta.

http://www.shawanoleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&subsectionID=27&articleID=30309

It isnt that difficult... being a bitch about it and making it a big deal that she was speaking in an unknown language is not how to teach the girl manners, nor how to demonstrate acceptance of differences between people in society.

Isn't that what the teacher had done the FIRST time she spoke with the student?

If the girl was supposed to not speak in class, she should have been reprimanded for "general disruption".

she was suspended for something akin to that, "having a bad attitude" or something, not for speaking another language.

It seems more like it's the kid that got everybody focused on the language thing. This, to me, really reeks of the kid playing the race card.

The truth is probably somewhere in-between, maybe the teacher was a little more irritated that the disruption came in another language, who knows? But the kid wasn't suspended for speaking her language, she was suspended for her attitude.

I do know this: I wouldn't put it past even the best of kids her age to squirm and find some way to take the pressure off herself by using the language and calling the teacher a bigot rather than acknowledging "well, yeah, I shouldn't have been talking in class." Kids are immature, they do stuff like that.

Sorry Boston but the Diocese has no rule against it, and a teacher is not free to just make up their own rules.

She should stop speaking English altogether. Force the school to hire interpreters to aid their bigoted monolingual faculty.

Throughout history the Catholic church has used language to subjugate cultures different from themselves and even to subjugate the laity from the clergy. That's why they still have mass in Latin.

You believe people's opinions are changed by the bickering that goes on here, BM?

Just because I could care less whether or not you remain in denial doesn't mean I'm going to stop posting.

Good conservative deduction there making 1+1=7.

But i guess this is the world you'd like right smith ? Maybe in the future we can have classrooms broken up by different cultures? Over in one corner we have a few kids speaking chinese, in another corner we can have a few speaking spanish , in another a few talking french, and in another corner we can have a few speaking menominee

You mean diversity, BM. I know, such an evil word. Sorry, where did it say this occured in a classroom? I failed to see it. Further, why was she suspended from her basketball team if this occurred in a classroom? I guess it's possible, just odd.

Initially "reprimanded" by the teacher who overheard the two students, Washinawatok was further chastised by another teacher who told her she didn't appreciate that Miranda had upset the first teacher because "she is like a daughter to me."

Sounds like the 2nd teacher was just piling on because the 1st teacher had his or her little feelings hurt.

Washinawatok has had a total of three meetings with school officials. Their amends thus far? Promises that Miranda and the Menominee Tribe would both receive public apologies.

She broke a "rule" yet they are going to publicly apologize to her? Nah.

What kind of bigoted hill-billy school is this?

They'd have to expel most of the students here in CA for doing that.

Sorry Boston but the Diocese has no rule against it, and a teacher is not free to just make up their own rules.

Actually they can

"In every classroom situation we expect our students to be responsive to the direction and supervision of the teacher," DuBois said in statement to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "It is an issue of mutual respect and common courtesy."

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She should stop speaking English altogether. Force the school to hire interpreters to aid their bigoted monolingual faculty.

It is a private school - If they do not want to follow the rules they can go to a different school -

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You believe people's opinions are changed by the bickering that goes on here, BM?

Nope not at all -

You mean diversity, BM. I know, such an evil word. Sorry, where did it say this occured in a classroom? I failed to see it. Further, why was she suspended from her basketball team if this occurred in a classroom? I guess it's possible, just odd.

In the story linked by another poster it said

The seventh-grader's mother, Tanaes Washinawatok, said her daughter, Miranda, was not allowed to play in the basketball game Jan. 19 after being reprimanded that day for using the Menominee language during a homeroom supervised by teacher Julie Gurta.

She broke a "rule" yet they are going to publicly apologize to her? Nah.

They are going to apologize because the words "racism" were used by the student and her parent -

I do wonder though what course do you think they were studying for when they were talking about "i love you" - Was it science? History? Math ?

Two girls talking in a homeroom when they are not supposed to be - That is the story -

In the future should teachers have to learn every language so they can understand their kids or do you think it would make more sense for the kids to speak english while in the classroom?

My bad, I missed that part regarding it being in homeroom.

I think every child who goes to school in this country should understand and learn in English. It only makes sense. But if they happen to be able to speak another language, more power to them. It's a good thing to be multi-lingual.

I guess the issue is, have other children been suspended from a game (not really a big deal...as opposed to using the word 'suspension', I would phrase it 'not allowed to play') for speaking in homeroom?

Throughout history the Catholic church has used language to subjugate cultures different from themselves and even to subjugate the laity from the clergy. That's why they still have mass in Latin.

I don't disagree with the first sentence; language has been used by many to maintain subjugate/maintain power, but...

Although Latin mass never totally "disappeared," the RCC started using the vernacular for mass in the 1960's. You're only about 50 years behind on that second statement.

I think every child who goes to school in this country should understand and learn in English. It only makes sense. But if they happen to be able to speak another language, more power to them. It's a good thing to be multi-lingual.

Absoloutely it is a good thing to know more than one language - But in a classroom setting kids should all be speaking one language

I guess the issue is, have other children been suspended from a game (not really a big deal...as opposed to using the word 'suspension', I would phrase it 'not allowed to play') for speaking in homeroom?

Story does not tell us - There are alot of details left out - The two teachers are not really heard from are they ? I am sure they have a story which might differ from a 12 yo student
who got in trouble -

i have to agree with boston man on this one. what the @!$%# did i just say? oh yeah, i have to agree with boston man on this one. she had been asked previously not to speak in a foreign language in this classroom. she did not follow the teacher's request, and therefore, she got into trouble. there may be an attitude problem here. we just do not know all of the details. without being there on at least two occasions, then it would be hard to comment, in the know.

The two teachers are not really heard from are they ? I am sure they have a story which might differ from a 12 yo student who got in trouble -

Can't argue that point...always 2 sides, at least...

i have to agree with boston man on this one. what the @!$%# did i just say?

What the hell did i just read?

Speak it all you would like in public - When in a private school that you do not have to attend abide by the rules - Is that too hard for some to understand

Interesting that you would defend bigotry.

But it is not a foreign language is it?

English is the unofficial language of the united states correct? If we are to allow students to speak in any language they want in the class how does the teacher have control of the students? How does the teacher know if the kids are talking about schoolwork or what boy or girl they think is cute?

Interesting that you would defend bigotry.

It is not bigotry it is common sense - Would you prefer a classroom where some kids are speaking chinese, some speaking spanish, some speaking russian , ? How does the teacher know what is going on if she cannot understand them ?

I have heard from one of the other students in her class, and she said this young lady habitually chattered and was told repetitively to follow the rules. One of her own peers said she had an attitude problem, and Julie Gurta was fed up. After being chastised again, the young woman STILL presented an attitude of being above the rules.

This whole issue had NOTHING to do with WHAT was said or in WHAT language. It was due to disobedience. This spoiled brat's mother is the one who raised the stink. And the reason it will fade a natural death is because it is a private school.

This is not a race issue. This is a failure-to-discipline-your-child issue. This is a disrespect issue. This is a looking-for-any-excuse issue. This school has accepted and endorsed the Native Americans for years. Take a tour of their hallways. It's beautiful. It's virtually a tribute to acceptance.

Had kids speaking Spanish, Navajo and Apache in my schools and so did my kids. Didn't bother anyone. Bigots are what bigots are. An entire school of adults are bigots no, but apparently the administrators. But then I see comments defending the bigots and well I do wonder.

In some people's minds it is too easy to cry bigotry - I guess the fact that the girl was not suspended for the FIRST time this came up does not matter right? Teacher is just a bigot right ?

Woodie - It is never the person who got in trouble's fault - It is always someone's else's -

More power to Washinawatok!

Keep on breaking those rules little lady! If they don't know what you're saying then maybe they should've learned the native tongue they way my Catholics know Spanish, down here in Tejas. And if the native tongue is such a problem for the teachers to hear, then they should go back to Italy or where ever they came from!!!!!! :)

English is the foreign language here not the aboriginals! More power to you Washinawatok!

In the words of my acient Mayan ancestors: P'aatal Chich!

(p'aah tahl cheech) Stay Strong! :)

the point is that you have to follow the rules of the classroom, especially in a private school. she did not do this. she had been told not to speak in another language in that classroom, and she knew this. she willfully violated this request. i suppose that the phrases that she taught that day were "hello" and "i love you.", so that she could use that against the teacher. other days, she may have been teaching the other students how to say, "@!$%# off!". we just do not know. however, we do know that she was not supposed to do this in this classroom, and she did. now she has been punished for violating a direct request. i was punished often for doing so when i was in school.

actually English is a foreign language in America... Native American... get it?? now about that open mind...

And Native American's came from Asia.... as immigrants as well.

And Native American's came from Asia.... as immigrants as well.

long before the English... even Spanish is more indigenous to North America.. do ya need to go all the way back to the birth of humanity to try to make your point?

Native American's came from Asia....

^^ Only the Athabaskan speaking people came from Asia. And it was Serbia, to be more specific.

The Algonquin speaking people came mostly from the Slavic and Altaic/Semites from Scandinavia.

I get what you're trying to say, but the fact is these tribes are the aboriginal people of this nation. If the teachers don't like what they hear, then they need to either learn the language or go find another job.

Is this the 1800's?

Actually as recently as the 1990s children have been scooped off reservations (by the government) and placed in residential schools run primarily by Catholics, although some have been of a Protestant nature. These children would be severely punished for speaking their native language, practicing any part of their native culture or religion. It simply was not tolerated.

To find similar behavior in a regular (non-residential) parochial school setting is not very surprising at all. It seems not much has changed in that arena. All it really does is reinforce the notion that Christianity is an intolerant religion that cannot stand diversity or anything that does not conform to the rules it desires.

children have been scooped off reservations (by the government) and placed in residential schools run primarily by Catholics

And that is the reason why my Grandfather took all of us and ran because he knew that once they got us that none of us would be returned as was also the custom back then.

You grandfather was wise. This was a horrible and shameful practice. If one's religion is so fragile that it cannot even abide the presence of another person's culture, language or faith, then it is truly a weak religion.

So much for the "love" their Jesus taught.
: /

do ya need to go all the way back to the birth of humanity to try to make your point?

No but the fact still remains every single person in the America's is an immigrant from somewhere else. This "who was here first" argument is petty and stupid. The fact is what it is today. That's all that really matters. It's the present. Not the past. I say this being an American who's Fathers side of family came from Germany back in the day.. and my Mothers side who is Native American. (Cherokee).