English-Only Trial: Day Two
English-Only Trial: Day Two Save Email Print
Reporter: Deb Farris
Email Address: deb.farris@kake.com
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Three families are suing Saint Anne Catholic School in Wichita for discrimination because of its "English-only" rule.

Damaging evidence was presented against the school Thursday, as students took the stand.

The students testified that they felt singled out by the school and its principal because they're Hispanic.

Last fall, Saint Anne implemented an English only rule because they wanted to stop bullying and cliques in the school. Some parents and students, however, say the rule is discriminatory.

One child, 12-year-old Dalia Fernandez, testified that she felt said because she wasn't allowed to speak her native language at recess or lunch. She also said that the principal, Sister Margaret, scared her when she pulled her out of class to warn her against speaking Spanish.

The Fernandez family is one of the three families suing the school and the Catholic Diocese of Wichita.

One student did admit she heard another student call someone a name in Spanish.

The Diocese and the school declined comment until after the trial is over.
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Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 15, 2008 at 10:25 AM
For one thing English is this States official language, if they don't like it then move somewhere else. Also, aren't Private schools private for a reason? If they so no Spanish speaking then NO SPANISH SPEAKING!. How much time, energy, and MONEY is this lawsuit costing the tax payers who know that rules apply to EVERYONE?
Posted by: Rose Location: Ulysses on Aug 15, 2008 at 07:43 AM
First of all let me say:I am Hispanic,and I feel that IF these 3 families had read the handbook of rules/regulations of this PRIVATE school and/or didn't understand it.Should have sought out someone who could EXPLAIN it.I feel this school is within its rights.Public schools(most)allow bilingual whether it being Spanish/English or whatever,and encourage it!But this is a PRIVATE school EVERYONE should abide by its rules!My children were raised mostly english as I was.BUT our GrandFathers instilled in us to know our native language NOT to be *SUPREME BEINGS* but because one day we may need it.All of us including my Kids UNDERSTAND it we may NOT be fluent but do understand it.It is wrong to try to change a RULE in a PRIVATE school!Catholic or not ... it is wrong ! Les debe de dar verguenza! They should be embarassed! Learn the rules before enrolling in a Private school! Apenda los regalmentos antes de enlistarse en escuelas privadas!
Posted by: LL Location: Wichita on Aug 15, 2008 at 07:20 AM
Hey Patriot- I doubt La Raza will scare the judge. The children involved were bullying the other students. Why are other families (including Mexican families) ok with following the rules but these three families are not? Children should not be able to "do as they please." Does that mean they can bring guns to schools even though it is against the rules because afterall, "children should do as they please?" Our family is part Mexican and this has never been an issue. Grandma taught everyone to follow the rules.
Posted by: Teri Location: Wichita on Aug 14, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Hey jumia, did any of your ancestors fight in the revolutionary war that freed the country. Sorry, but my ancestors waited until the dinosaurs died off, sorry bout your luck.
Posted by: RE: racist people Location: ks on Aug 14, 2008 at 07:30 PM
it sounds to me you got a problem with being racist not alot of these comments.I like going to church and faithful to the private school where I have decided to place my child at.Oh yes I am half hispanic so quit your racism and lets try to work thru all this mess that 3 families has created.Thank-you mom and dad for raising me right.
Posted by: Patriot on Aug 14, 2008 at 07:23 PM
ST, ANNE SCHOOL IS GOING TO LOSE THIS BIG TIME. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT IF YOUR A MINORITY AND CLAIM DISCRIMINATION THAT POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IS ON THEIR SIDE, AND PARTICULARLY IF YOUR A HISPANIC. THEY HAVE MANY MINORITY RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS BACKING THEM UP. THE JUDGE DOESN'T DARE TO RULE AGAINST THEM OR HE'LL FEEL THE WRATH OF LA RAZA, CIVIL LIBERTIES, AND OTHERS COMING AFTER HIM. THESE PEOPLE ARE ALREADY IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT WITH THE LOU DOBBS SHOW WEDNESDAY NIGHT TALKING AT LENGH ABOUT IT. THIS CASE ISN'T ABOUT RIGHT OR WRONG, IT'S ABOUT THE BIG POWERFUL CATHOLIC CHURCH WITH DEEP POCKETS CAUSING A FEW LITTLE MINORITY KIDS MENTAL DISTRESS BY DENYING THEM THE RIGHT TO DO AS THEY PLEASE. SO ST. ANNE'S BE PREPARED TO PAY.
Posted by: hall monitor Location: ny, ny on Aug 14, 2008 at 07:02 PM
This story made http://detentionslip.org! Voted #1 for crazy headlines in education.
Posted by: RACIST PEOPLE on Aug 14, 2008 at 03:03 PM
YOU ALL ARE A BUNCH OF RACIST PEOPLE AND TWO FACED.IF YOU GO TO SAINT ANNES AND ARE COMMENTING AND MAKING PRE JUDGEMENT REMARKS YOU ARE ALSO BREAKING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS SHAME ON YOU SO CALLED CHURCH GOERS
Posted by: LL Location: Wichita on Aug 14, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Victoria- Thanks for your comment. It is nice to get your perspective and to let us know that we should not lump everyone from the same race, nationality, gender, etc together. I have always said that immigrants keep our country going but we have to speak a common language because our country is so diverse.
Posted by: Victoria Location: Wichita on Aug 14, 2008 at 01:23 PM
I have a child who attends St.Anne School and also happens to be Mexican-American. Born and raised here but none the less we are proud Mexicans. I agree with the schools "English Only Rule". I asked my daughter what she thought about this since she has seen it aired on tv and she simply said "it's not fair for kids to talk other languages when not everyone can understand them". That comes from a second grader who knows what it means to follow school rules/policy. She understands that spanish is her second language and quiet frankly is a privilage BUT that we only use it in our household and not even on a daily basis at that. It's something she'll have with her for the rest of her life but that she does not take it for granted. I pray the judge rules in favor of the school. St Anne's is only trying to teach our children the fundamentals of life and shouldn't have to deal with something like this. They have a higher goal for their students. Thx
Posted by: grandparent on Aug 14, 2008 at 12:57 PM
My kids and now my grandkids attend St Anne's and are proud of it. My grandchild that still goes there hopes they don't let the Silva boy back in school. She is in a different grade-but he made comments to them in Spanish to bully them.
Posted by: LL Location: Wichita on Aug 14, 2008 at 12:09 PM
To Ya Tu: As I said, it doesn't matter who came over on the Mayflower. Spanish and English are not native to this land. However, he Constitution was written in English not Spanish. I think most people don't have a problem with people speaking their native tongue at home but doing business, at school, & at work people should speak English. Mexicans are not the only immigrants and other groups have, for the most part, been able to adapt to English. Why is it such a problem for these particular families?
Posted by: wtf on Aug 14, 2008 at 12:09 PM
what? ya tu sabes-- what was that all about? we are not talking about the education levels here. Why don't YOU read the case and figure out what this is all about. loser. oh, and I'm sorry, we don't have to look up your spanish... We are in America!
Posted by: Tessa Location: ks on Aug 14, 2008 at 12:08 PM
I believe these kids was starting trouble and the school has the right to do the right thing getting them out of the school (whether it was the parents or the school)So whether its the parents or the school you still have alot of supporters on both sides.The kids needs to be punished more if this law suit goes toward the school I feel the school needs to have the 3 families pay the school back for there expences. Also, if we want to be fair they should get back what the 3 family's are asking(from each family). Also, make those kids do community services for there actions in this case cause if they are old enough to know about a law suits they are old enough to respect others and find out there are all types of people you have to try to get along with.god bless your church and the kids that can follow rules.Keep up the good job teaching!!!!
Posted by: DONNA Location: WICHITA on Aug 14, 2008 at 12:08 PM
THIS IS AMERICA PEOPLE, EVERYONE IMIGRATED HERE EXCEPT FOR THE INDIANS. EVERYONE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THIER RACE AND LANGUAGE AND TO ME THIS SHOULD NOT EVEN BE ABOUT ANY OF THAT, NO ONE IS SAYING THAT THEY SHOULD NOT KNOW AND SPEAK SPANISH, BUT IF THERE IS A RULE IN THIS SCHOOL THAT YOU CANNOT SPEAK ANY OTHER LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION THEN YOU HAVE TO ABIDE BY THAT RULE IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND THAT SCHOOL. SIMPLE AS THAT, NO MORE NO LESS. IT IS SO SICKNING THAT EVERYONE HAS TO PULL THE RACE CARD, IF PEOPLE ARE HERE LEGALLY THEN THEY ARE AMERICANS AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE JUST BECAUSE THEY SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE ALSO DOES NOT MEAN THEY SHOULD GO BACK ANYWHERE BUT AS EVERYONE ELSE RULES APPLY TO EVERYONE.
Posted by: Ya Tu SaBeS Location: Wichita on Aug 14, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I have to say, it is always encouraging to read comments from ignorant people on here. Please review your history and facts before commenting to the public! If your ancestors came to this country on a boat, that does NOT make you or your ancestors the native people of this country. That means you are also immigrants. I would agree that the catholic diocese here in Wichita is great! However, discrimination in any form is against the Catholic beliefs. So be fair to all people and don't judge people, get to know them first! I am a proud Mexican-American who attended and graduated from both, Christ the King Catholic School and Bishop Carroll Catholic High School. So by no means do I have any less of an education or experience in the diocese than those of you posting comments. GRACIAS! Translation: THANKS! "Quien Contra Mi?" Look that one up!
Posted by: LL Location: Wichita on Aug 14, 2008 at 10:26 AM
A student admitted to calling names in Spanish. The public schools in Wichita allow this but am so glad to at least know that private schools won't allow this kind of behavior. Pretty soon all the teachers will have to know Spanish. I know several people from S. America and they teach their children English and then Spanish at home. They seem to follow the rules and not sure why these families cannot do the same. Doesn't look like they are getting much support. My ancestors didn't come over on the Mayflower, Terrie. Not sure that matters. If we want to get technical, we should all be speaking American Indian laguages because they are native to this land.
Posted by: american on Aug 14, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Kids already have so much to be worried about with other students talking about them behind their back. Why make it worse by talking in a different language they don't understand nor should they have to understand? You want more kids to have psychological problems?? Also, if you want your kid to know more than one language, go to a different country. The only language Americans need to know is English! yay! Stop complaining and get out. No one wants you and your spoiled ROTTEN kids here anyways.
Posted by: stupified Location: wichita on Aug 14, 2008 at 08:28 AM
I have a child who attends St. Anne's School which is a private school like it has already been said this is not a school you are forced to go to, the parents choose to send their kids here. St. Anne's has never asked anyone to give up their native language they are just not allowed to use it during school which to me is fair. Why should the other students have to walk around wondering what is being said and if it is about them. Amazingly there are many nationalities at this school and they are not allowed to speak their languages either so its not just one group. Matter of fact in my son's class room they had parents come in from the different nationalities and teach the students about the culture and their language, all year at that. But these families are so eager to sue for what, them coming to another country and expecting it to still be like mexico give us a break. Get a life and get over it or go back home where you can speak spanish freely. This is AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Sue Location: Wichita on Aug 14, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Boy O Boy This is the top of the line, you come from another country and you want things your way. Why did you come here to begain with, go home so you can be happy,
Posted by: R.S. Location: Wichita on Aug 14, 2008 at 05:38 AM
I went to a Catholic grade school in the 1970's when the church took the Vietnamese under their wing. They respected our language enough to learn it and followed the rules at school.
Posted by: Tina Location: Kansas on Aug 13, 2008 at 11:56 PM
I just wish to remind everyone that many of the ordeals of 'bullying' and 'name-calling' have set off a fair few shootings in schools across the country in recent years. I applaud the school's administration for addressing this issue before the fact, instead of addressing their concern after one of the kids obtains a weapon and hurts themselves and/or others at school. Thank you for trying to keep ALL children safe.
Posted by: Sunflower Location: Wichita on Aug 13, 2008 at 11:48 PM
The kids singled themselves out by being brats. She should have been scared because they did wrong. They were singled out because they were hiding behind Spanish to cause problems. This is called consequences for your actions. If you do the crime -- be sure you can do the time.
Posted by: James Location: w on Aug 13, 2008 at 10:04 PM
This isn't about English ; it is about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$; If I am in messico I speak spanish ; respect your host country or vamanos
Posted by: d on Aug 13, 2008 at 10:00 PM
YOU ARE IN AMERICA. WE SPEAK ONE LANGUAGE AND WE HAVE ONE FLAG. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT. HAPPY TRAILS PACO
Posted by: jumia Location: Wichita on Aug 13, 2008 at 09:35 PM
I agree rules need to be followed and if you don't like them find another school. For the previous post by Terrie my ancestors are more American than anyone on the Mayflower. The Aztec (Mexicans) Empire stretched as far north as California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas. Before posting you should get your facts straight as far as who was here first.
Posted by: Politically Correct Location: Wichita on Aug 13, 2008 at 09:24 PM
I am so sick of this politically correct garbage. Everything is offensive to everyone now. Since when did we become a nation of mamby pambies who get offended at every little thing. My parents are immigrants that came over from Russia in 1962. My parents both had to take a citizenship class, learn the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, they needed to have a skill, and most of all, they needed to learn English to be allowed to stay and become a citizen. They are proud American's, not Russian-Americans. They have never identified themselves as anything but American since the day they were granted citizenship. My dad fought in Vietnam for this country only 6 years after arriving, and he was a volunteer, not a draftee. I speak Russian at home, and taught my kids, but in public or in mixed company, we only speak English. English is the language of the United States, and speaking anything else in mixed company, is just disrespectful and rude. They should keep their own language at home.
Posted by: moe on Aug 13, 2008 at 09:22 PM
Can they spell paranoid. I work with Mexicans and they make fun of me all the time. But, I can fire them if it gets out of hand.
Posted by: John Location: Wichexico on Aug 13, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Kansas passed English as the official language in 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_in_the_United_States What happened to seperation of church and state? It is a private school and there are no civil rights being violated. I am sure that the emotional breakdown is just a ploy anyway. Play it up little one. I guess this is a hard lesson on what happens when you choose to not follow the rules. Since your dad is a detective you would think you would have learned that by now. I guess the language card is the new one to file in your wallet right by the race card. You people are pathetic and give bad names to those who actually have their civil rights violated and need to fight for them because people are tired of listening to people like you gripe and complain when you have no valid complaint. You want to talk in spanish I guess you can enroll in public school and deal with it there. Adios
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 13, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Either follow the rules of the school or don't go. It's a private school and not the only educational option out there.
Posted by: E.J. Location: Wichita, Ks. on Aug 13, 2008 at 08:03 PM
I hope the judge in this case rules that you can speak spanish in Mexico. I went to St. Anne from '89-'98. It is a good school that you choose to go to, not one you are forced to. If you do not like the schools policies then get out but do not ruin a school just so you can have your way. Too many people believe in changing the way things are to suit them. It's time for that to stop. I wish the best for St. Anne Catholic School and I hope they do not become the victim of people just trying to get money or simply just getting their way.
Posted by: pill Location: wicca wicca wichita on Aug 13, 2008 at 06:28 PM
ENGLISH................. the 2nd language bulllcrap
Posted by: Terrie Location: Wichita on Aug 13, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Oh BOO HOO, the only advise I have for these families, if you don't like the rules and the ways of this country, your own is a few hundred miles south of here. Remember YOU ARE IN A ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRY. I am curious, did any of your ancesters come over on the Mayflower, and crossing swimming across the Rio Grande doesn't count.
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