APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An Appleton high school is currently under scrutiny after posting on social media about a back-to-school event.
Appleton East is hosting two back-to-school nights this month, but one night is being designated for only “Freshmen Students of Color” and their families.
The post from Appleton East about the Meet and Greet has been shared more than 300 times, has more than 500 comments and over 200 reactions on Facebook.
There are comments from people on the post, thanking the school for having an event like this. But most comments are criticizing the school, saying the event is racially segregated.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, a legal and policy center promoting limited government, liberty, and education reform, is also condemning Appleton East’s back-to-school event.
“Entering high school as a freshman is an exciting and sometimes anxiety-producing event,” said WILL Deputy Counsel, Dan Lennington in a statement. “It’s simply outrageous that Appleton East is picking and choosing among its incoming freshmen based on race, giving some preferred races a back-to-school night two weeks earlier than other less-preferred races.”
WILL states Appleton East has not explained, at least publicly, why it planned this segregated event.
In a statement, the Appleton Area School district says this:
We know how incredibly important it is for our incoming freshmen to transition into high school successfully, and because of this, our high schools hold several events to help incoming 9th-grade students, and their families, feel comfortable and confident in their transition. The events range from multiple days devoted to School IDs and Picture Days; to an Open House for students and families where students can walk through their schedule, meet teachers, and learn about co-curricular opportunities; to freshman orientation activities created by that school’s Link Crew; to a specialized schedule and orientation for freshmen on the first day of school. This year we added an additional event where freshmen students and their families could attend a meet and greet with the Cultural Advisor, have a meal, and take a tour of the building. All of these events have the purpose of setting students up for success in their high school careers and connecting with the staff that will help them to ensure that success.
The letter WILL sent to East is that if the school does not remove the post and open the back-to-school nights to all races, WILL shall file a formal complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, United States Department of Education.
The complaint will seek a formal investigation of Appleton East’s events.
The school has another open house scheduled for Aug. 30 for all students.
