Education
Civil War Ball helps students learn about controversial topics, superintendent says
By BoNhia Lee
April 25, 2018 02:50 PM
The Civil War Ball is still on for Friday at Ranchos Middle School in Madera County despite at least one parent asking the school district to rethink the event.
Vicki Snowden-Jackson, the parent of a sixth-grade student, said she was appalled to learn of the dance and wants the district to reconsider it before her son starts middle school. Jackson, an African American woman, said it’s a culturally insensitive way to teach the Civil War.
But Golden Valley Unified Superintendent Andy Alvarado supports the event, calling it an opportunity to teach about controversial topics from the past.
“In no way, shape, or form are we having the students perform skits or acts that are culturally insensitive,” Alvarado said Wednesday.
Help us deliver journalism that makes a difference in our community.
Our journalism takes a lot of time, effort, and hard work to produce. If you read and enjoy our journalism, please consider subscribing today.
“Students must learn all sides of an issue and we must allow them to apply that knowledge and make their own decisions about how they feel,” Alvarado said. “It’s important for them to engage in meaningful conversations, on these types of issues, in an environment that is safe and respectful.”
The ball, which started in 2000 and attracts around 500 people, is the culmination of one of the most memorable cross-curricular projects in the district aimed at teaching eighth-grade students about the Civil War across all classes, Alvarado said.
For example, students research the war and what it meant in American history. They learn about Civil War inventors in science class, about the period literature in English class and learn the waltz in physical education, he said.
Students dress in period costume and perform the dance at the event. For extra credit, they can research recipes and prepare food of the era to share. Fried chicken is one of several suggestions, he said.
The superintendent said the ball has not been a problem before. If issues came up, it has typically been handled at the school with options for teachers to come up with alternative assignments if needed. The district is not opposed to reviewing the project.
But Alvarado said “this aligns with our academic standards and meeting standards with our board. It’s a time in history when things definitely occurred that no one is proud of. It’s not about glorifying that.”
Related stories from Fresno Bee
- Opinion: Trump inserts himself into golf's civil war
- A Lost Trove of Civil War Gold, an FBI Excavation, and Some Very Angry Treasure Hunters
- ‘Dudes I offed a fed’: Inside a far-right militia member’s plan to start civil war from the Bay Area
- Former Ryder Cup star admits LIV Golf hard to turn down as sport’s civil war continues
- How the War Against ISIS Was Won, Before It Was Lost
- In Their Own Words: White Students on Why Schools Need More Teachers of Color
- Student Well-Being At Forefront Of Education Sector
- Central Bucks School Board Passes Controversial Policy Change That Could Lead To Book Bans
- Greendale Students Protest Racial Bullying At High School
- Deletions in CBSE mathematics syllabus do disservice to students, fly against NEP goals
Civil War Ball helps students learn about controversial topics, superintendent says have 992 words, post on www.fresnobee.com at April 25, 2018. This is cached page on Asean News. If you want remove this page, please contact us.