An annual event at Turpin High School is canceled again.Now, parents in the Forest Hills School District are questioning why the school board cut the district’s “Diversity Day.”Sunday’s special board meeting was intense and ended in name-calling by some. Parents and students who support the day, said Monday, they want answers as to why it was postponed again.”Diversity Day to me has been one of the best things at Turpin that I have experienced so far,” senior Casey Lupariello said. Lupariello wasn’t aware a special board meeting was held.Board members voted 4-0 to ban Diversity Day from happening during school hours or with taxpayer resources.Lupariello is a leader of the event. “We just talk about the diversity of all kinds,” Lupariello said. “And, try to understand the people around us better and ourselves better, and try to get a better world view.”The high school senior said she is disappointed in the board’s decision, especially since it’s optional.Students need parental permission to attend.”I’m sad that I will have to miss it for my senior year. But what I am most worried about is kids in the future not being able to experience this event because it is extremely important,” Lupariello said. This is the second time the school board has postponed the event.In March, it was put on hold, due to a permission slip issue the board said.Now, parents are questioning what is and is not the truth. “A minority of people, many of which we don’t believe are actual parents of Turpin students are making the decision for the majority of these Turpin students who want to participate,” parent Natalie Hastings said. The event has been held for six years.This time, the largest turnout was expected.According to Lupariello, nearly 160 students were registered to attend.Now the event, which was scheduled for May 18, cannot happen during school hours or on school property.Diversity Day focuses on a variety of issues, including race in the criminal justice system.Speakers from the Freedom Center were scheduled to speak.Supporters of the event are scheduled to protest outside Forest Hills School District’s central offices at 6 p.m. Monday.
An annual event at Turpin High School is canceled again.
Now, parents in the Forest Hills School District are questioning why the school board cut the district’s “Diversity Day.”
Sunday’s special board meeting was intense and ended in name-calling by some.
Parents and students who support the day, said Monday, they want answers as to why it was postponed again.
“Diversity Day to me has been one of the best things at Turpin that I have experienced so far,” senior Casey Lupariello said.
Lupariello wasn’t aware a special board meeting was held.
Board members voted 4-0 to ban Diversity Day from happening during school hours or with taxpayer resources.
Lupariello is a leader of the event.
“We just talk about the diversity of all kinds,” Lupariello said. “And, try to understand the people around us better and ourselves better, and try to get a better world view.”
The high school senior said she is disappointed in the board’s decision, especially since it’s optional.
Students need parental permission to attend.
“I’m sad that I will have to miss it for my senior year. But what I am most worried about is kids in the future not being able to experience this event because it is extremely important,” Lupariello said.
This is the second time the school board has postponed the event.
In March, it was put on hold, due to a permission slip issue the board said.
Now, parents are questioning what is and is not the truth.
“A minority of people, many of which we don’t believe are actual parents of Turpin students are making the decision for the majority of these Turpin students who want to participate,” parent Natalie Hastings said.
The event has been held for six years.
This time, the largest turnout was expected.
According to Lupariello, nearly 160 students were registered to attend.
Now the event, which was scheduled for May 18, cannot happen during school hours or on school property.
Diversity Day focuses on a variety of issues, including race in the criminal justice system.
Speakers from the Freedom Center were scheduled to speak.
Supporters of the event are scheduled to protest outside Forest Hills School District’s central offices at 6 p.m. Monday.
