*Two adults who tore Malachi's approved poster down are on the committee and are against change. *Adults told Sikh students to go back to their country and made fun of them for wearing turbans because the students support change. Board president Richard Solis wants to give adults who bully children a win by proposing: a 15 year moratorium on school name and mascot changes and only changing 2/5 racist school names and 1/2 racist mascots. c
Rename Polk
Elementary
How you can help us:
June 28 Board Meeting at 7pm: Attend or call in at 559-276-3150 during public comment to voice support
Board President Richard Solis wants to put a 15 year moratorium on changes and only wants to change 2 out of 5 racist school names and 1 out of 2 racist mascots.
Articles, proposed school logo, earlier articles, and mission:
Read the article about Central Unified's response to my proposal. (By Vic Bedoian- Community Alliance https://fresnoalliance.com/fourth-grade-student-with-a-history-lesson-confronts-school-district/
Read the articles: about Central Unified's response to my proposal and about Maria Moreno. (By Bill Berkowitz- TheDailyKOS) https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/9/23/2053977/-Fourth-Grader-at-Fresno-s-Polk-Elementary-Educates-School-District-Calls-for-Name-Change






Proposed School Logo
More Articles from the beginning of the project
Read the first article about my project. (By Kiera Kaiser- The kNOw Youth Media https://theknowfresno.org/04/21/2021/4th-grader-from-polk-elementary-demands-that-his-school-be-renamed/
Read the article about my presentation to the board and their unwillingness to vote. https://theknowfresno.org/07/30/2021/polk-elementary-the-next-step-in-one-students-battle-to-rename-his-school/
Mission of the project
James K. Polk does not represent the ideals of our school district. He used Manifest Destiny, the idea that some people are superior and more deserving based on the color of their skin, to wage an unjust war and steal land from Mexicans and Indigenous. He also owned slaves and opposed abolition. Having my school named after Polk makes me feel unwelcome and disgusted. There are plenty of honorable people of color who have done great things for our community who should be honored instead. Central Unified should do what is right and stop celebrating a person who is not a role model for our community. Central Unified's student body is 85% students of color. It is time to celebrate a person of color by naming my school after someone like Maria Moreno who was the first woman farm laborer to be hired as a union organizer. When we see people like us being celebrated, it makes us feel like we can accomplish great things. We should change the mascot to the axolotls, an amphibian known for its ability to regenerate body parts. This encourages us to seek continuous growth, promotes healing, and will help raise awareness about their endangered status.
Questions?
Email: renamepolkelementary@gmail.com to get more information on the project