|
Principal Testifies In "English Only" Trial
Principal Sister Margaret was called to testify Thursday.
Reporter: Deb Farris Email Address: deb.farris@kake.com |
|
Three families are suing Saint Anne School and the Catholic Diocese of Wichita claiming discrimination.
The principal, Sister Margaret Nugent, took the witness stand Thursday, explaining the reasons for the school's "English only" policy. Her testimony lasted four hours.
Sister Margaret testified that the policy was implemented to prevent bullying, and to allow the kids to blend. Sister Margaret said she never felt the students were separated by language.
Saint Anne implemented the rule last fall after teachers started getting complaints from students, who said they thought the Spanish-speaking kids were calling them names in Spanish.
Three families, including Mike and Clara Silva, are suing the school, Sister Margaret Nugent and the Catholic Diocese for discrimination.
The families say their kids were singled out and made to sit apart from one another because of their heritage.
Sister Margaret says that isn't true. During her testimony, she said the kids were all told to mingle, with kids of all races, to create unity.
"It wasn't just the Hispanics, it was the whole sixth grade," Sister Margaret said.
Sister Margaret also told the court that because the teachers couldn't understand what the kids were saying when they spoke Spanish, it became divisive.
She testified that the school teaches in English, so she expects the kids to speak English at all times.
She also said that when she put the policy in place, she had no idea it would become such an explosive issue.
The plaintiffs rested their case today. The defense will open with its witnesses Friday.
- Police Shoot At Suspect, Arrest Him After Manhunt
- Storm Weakens As It Enters Kansas
- Missing Ellsworth Teens Found At Wichita Walmart
- Get Out Of Jail Free
- Sedgwick County Investigating Tornado Sirens
- Kansas Man Guilty In Teen Girl's Death
- Cancer Concerns In Buhler School District
- Inmate Convicted Of Threatening Judges, Officers
- Wichita Sees Spike In Domestic Violence
- Seatbelt Enforcement Angers Some NW High School Students
- Seatbelt Enforcement Angers Some NW High School Students
199 Comments - Missing Ellsworth Teens Found At Wichita Walmart
50 Comments - Lies Trash Sells Business To Waste Management
44 Comments - Storm Weakens As It Enters Kansas
30 Comments - Get Out Of Jail Free
30 Comments - Meteor Sighted Over Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas
25 Comments
| 30 Days
Click here to go to KAKEland’s "30 Prizes In 30 Days" page. |
|
| Winter Guide
Cool ideas to keep you warm this winter! |
|
| Health Connect
Click here for health resources from local medical providers. |
|
| KAKE DVD Collection
Click here to order KAKE DVD's including "Honor Flight", "Santa's Workshop" and more. |
|
| First United Methodist Church
Click here to watch live Sunday services. |
|
| Papa John's Pro Football Pick'em
CLICK HERE to play KAKEland's Pro Football Online game. |
