Rock not, Rock Chalk, say some Lee’s Summit Missouri elementary school parents

[pstokely]

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/10/3548249/rock-not-rock-chalk-say-some-lees.html

"As part of the morning announcements there, songs related to upcoming holidays or current events are occasionally played over the intercom, said Janice Phelan, a spokeswoman for the Lee’s Summit School District.

And on April 2, the day of the final March Madness game, a song was “briefly” played “in support of the Midwest school competing in the national college basketball championship,” she said.

But because that Midwest school is the home of the KU Jayhawks, longtime rivals of the Missouri Tigers, several parents claimed a foul had been committed.

“As a parent of two and a taxpaying resident of the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, I am shocked and disappointed that there was an apparent attempt to indoctrinate Lee’s Summit school children to be KU fans at Trailridge Elementary this week,” said Brian Yates, a former state representative and graduate of the University of Missouri. “Playing the KU fight song or any college fight song over the intercom in a publicly funded elementary school is unacceptable.” "

[Angry Dragon]

1. another idiot heard from

[tularetom]

2. Mr Yates needs to get out more

[pstokely]

3. A lot more Mizzou fans then kU fans in Lees Summit

I don't expect a lot of Mizzou fans in Olathe or Shawnee

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Actually there are quite a few Mizzou fans in Johnson County

Judging from flags and bumper stickers, there is a lot of support for Mizzou. I've lived on both sides of the state line and the biggest difference is there is far more hate on the MO side for Kansas. Not the same level of animosity in KS for MO, especially when it comes to sports rivalries and the 'border war'.

[pstokely]

12. I wouldn't expect any JOCO school principals to play the Mizzou fight song over the intercom

even though kU fans don't care about Mizzou anymore kU and k-state fans outnumber Mizzou fans in Johnson County and Mizzou fans outnumber kU fans on the Missouri side.

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. I know of a school in MO that had the classrooms painted

to match the colors of the teachers' alma maters. Each classroom is decorated with school flags and mascots, etc. The principal is promoting college attendance to the students. But I'm afraid if I told you the name of the school, you'd have heart failure over the Jayhawk colors on MO soil.

I've been known to wear both Jayhawk and Tiger shirts to school. When Mizzou was in a bowl game. I wore a Tiger shirt. Do you think that should be illegal?

[pstokely]

21. Schools should remain neutral on college sprots rivarlies

People take these rivalries seriously. Take the kids on tours of both Mizzou and kU for all I care. They can promote college attendance while remaining neutral on the sports rivalries. The championship started past most kids bedtimes if parents wanted their kids rested for the next school day. Missouri schools don't have to play the Mizzou fight song before a big game but they shouldn't be playing their Rival's (past or present) fight song either. The article doesn't say if played Kentucky's fight song either. Principal was just asking for it. He doesn't need to be fired, he just needs to apologize.

[Blue_Tires]

27. This has jack to do with a sports rivalry

For starters, the vast majority of those kids are too young to even know or care about the KU fight song to begin with...

This is how it probably really went down: A parent or school staffer who is either a butthurt Mizzou fanatic or just has a grudge against the principal and wants to make him into today's "worst person in the world"...Of course there's no way they can run to the Star with this, since it's a non-issue and nobody gives a shit...

BUT what this person can do is enlist the help of the biggest blowhard grandstanding parent they can find, who luckily enough happens to be a former state politician--Once he cranks up the outrage machine and it's war on public schools and "indoctrination", the Star is at least compelled to devote a few inches and quote him...

And they get their 15 seconds of righteous indignation in lieu of all the other shit going on in their world that they should actually care about...

[pstokely]

28. You don't understand the Mizzou-kU rivalry

People take these rivalries seriously

[Blue_Tires]

32. I'm a KU grad...Why don't you explain it to me?

My mother is from Alabama and her brother went to Auburn so I know my way around that rivalry as well

[pstokely]

33. How would you feel if the Mizzou fight song was played over the intercom at your kids school

if you lived in Kansas? Mizzou is not supported by Kansas taxpayers, kU isn't supported by Missouri taxpayers.

[Blue_Tires]

35. I'd give less than a shit and take it at face value that the principal was having a little joke

and I'd save my serious concerns for how well my children were being educated...

Remember; it was just a snippet during morning announcements...You're acting like he had it on 'repeat' over the loudspeaker all day long...

This is the first time I'm saying this in my 35 years, but there is more to life than sport (sometimes), you know??

[pstokely]

41. Some other kU fan would be outraged, rivarlies are no joke to many

People worship either place like a religion

[proud2BlibKansan]

45. Do you know Brian Yates?

He's a conservative republican who accomplished nothing during his term and stepped down halfway through his last term. Kinda like Sarah Palin.

Do you really mean to defend this nutbag?

We have some crazies in Kansas. Yates should move over here. He'd fit in nicely.

[pstokely]

50. This is probably the only thing I'd agree with him on, Mizzou vs kU

But like most repukes, he probably doesn't support higher education other than cheering for a college sports team of their choice.

[KamaAina]

4. Why wasn't the Mizzou fight song played?

Oh, that's right, they lost in the first round of the tournament, to Norfolk State, a 15 seed (out of a possible 16).

[pstokely]

5. Would you expect any Kansas school to be playing the Mizzou fight song if it was Mizzou there

Last edited Wed Apr 11, 2012, 09:39 PM - Edit history (1)

I doubt it

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. I wouldn't be surprised at all

Perhaps Kansans are more capable of understanding why it's important to support universities from all over our region.

[The Great Escape]

6. Kansas Is a Midwestern School That Mizzou Doesn't Play Any More...

Missouri is a southern school. Water of a duck's back and all. No point in not wishing your neighbors well.

[pstokely]

7. And Lees Summit is in Missouri, not Kansas (nt)

nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. What a stupid thing to complain about.

Maybe the principal or some of the teachers are KU grads. KU does have an outstanding school of education and many educators from across the metro area are graduates of KU. In every school where I have taught (all on the MO side) the number of teachers who are KU alums is greater than those who attended Mizzou. There are more teachers in this area who went to CMSU than MU.

We are encouraged more and more to promote college attendance to our students and lots of schools have spirit days weekly or monthly where staff members wear t-shirts from their alma mater. Would the Lee's Summitt parents complain if their child's teacher wore a Jayhawk t-shirt on school spirit day?

This is just petty and silly. I feel sorry for these children.

[pstokely]

13. Principal is a UMKC grad according to the article, UMKC grads could be fans of either kU or MU

Number of alumni does not necessarily mean more fan support. The bandwagon kU basketball fans weren't at Arrowhead last November. kU fans would be complaining if a principal at a Kansas elementary school played the Mizzou fight song (even though the don't care about Mizzou anymore). Most UCMO alums are Mizzou fans. The principal is a public employee of Missouri, not Kansas

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. What does it matter who the principal works for?

And no, KU fans would not be complaining if Mizzou was playing for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP and the fight song was played at a Kansas elementary school - because KU fans are not petty.

You have no idea which school most UCMO fans support. Now you're being petty.

[The Straight Story]

16. Um...what if they were playing a catholic school and the song was Hail Mary?

Oh wait, that's a pass in football

[pstokely]

18. It would be a bigger issue if the Catholic school played the Brigham Young fight song

[Blue_Tires]

11. so a former state pol sees the chance to crank up the fake outrage machine

and steal a headline...

[pstokely]

14. Wouldn't you be outraged if a rival school's fight song was played over the intercom

especially from another state, the principal is not a Kansas public employee

[Blue_Tires]

22. outrage?? over a tiny snippet of a college fight song??

in a goddamned elementary school?

This clown needs to find something real to be outraged about instead of being butthurt over his own fanboy prejudices...It's funny because while he thinks he's making a point and standing up for state/school pride, he's only making his own fanbase look worse...

FACT: Thousands of Missouri residents attend KU
FACT: Countless Missouri residents have played sports for KU
FACT: The greater Kansas City area (on both sides of the line) has quite a few KU fans...

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. Exactly.

Thank you.

[pstokely]

29. but kU is not supported by Missouri taxpayers, Mizzou is

And many kids do care about sports rivalries. Remember that K-state fan kindergartener.

[Blue_Tires]

31. But KU is also a 'regional' team that the greater KC area follows...

Although most of K.C. as we know it is on the Missouri side, it's this weird epicenter of Kansas-Mizzou-Kansas State and even Nebraska fans to a lesser extent...St. Louis kind of has a similar vibe with the Mizzou/Illinois rivalry...

By your reasoning someone in D.C. public schools should get called out for playing a snippet of the Maryland or Navy fight song...

But like I said; this has nothing really to do with sports rivalries or who signs whos paycheck...Just recognize manufactured outrage when you see it...

[pstokely]

34. I don't think any kU fans on the Kansas side would like it if the MU fight song was played over the

school intercom

[Blue_Tires]

36. So honestly; tell me what you want from this principal...Because you haven't said it yet

Reprimand?
Suspension?
Censure?
Demotion?
Termination?
Defund the school?


Please tell me what punishment you think worthy to be equal measure to such a grave offense? If by chance the principal was a Kansas resident (it happens), what would be your solution since his taxes would techically fund Kansas and not Missouri schools?

And since you keep bringing up the tax issue, please tell me you're a Missouri resident -- Otherwise FFS why do you care??

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. Armed men on horseback should kidnap him, take him across the state line and throw him in jail.

Then hang him at dawn.

Oh wait, we already tried that.

[pstokely]

39. Principal should just apologize

nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. I pay taxes in both Kansas and Missouri

So do any taxpayers who live in one state and work in another.

That means I financially support BOTH KU and Mizzou.

[pstokely]

40. People who work in KCMO pay an earnings tax no matter where the residence is

but any Kansas resident who works in Lees Summit or Raytown pay only KS taxes

[proud2BlibKansan]

42. Bullshit

You pay taxes in BOTH states. I know. I've been doing it for over 20 years. Just wrote a check to MO the other day. One to Kansas too.

[pstokely]

43. MO residents who work in KS also pay KS taxes

Mizzou doesn't offer in-state tuition for kids of Kansas residents who work in Missouri, kU and K-state don't offer in-state tuition for kids of MO residents who work in Kansas. Kansas lures companies across the state line through corporate welfare. There is no regional corporation between the states.

[proud2BlibKansan]

44. UMKC offers in-state tuition to Kansans who work in MO

And the Regents Center for KU in Overland Park has a flat rate for anyone who lives in the metro area on either side of the state line. I've taken courses at both schools.

But of course none of this means it's wrong to play the KU fight song on a school intercom in Missouri. If you're really that upset about this, you need to contact your state legislature. They aren't doing much meaningful work this session. Give them something important to do.

[pstokely]

46. Principal just needs to apologize for his mistake in judgement, he doesn't need to be fired

And the game started too late for elementary schools to begin with. Schools should be neutral in issues people take as seriously as religion.

[proud2BlibKansan]

48. The principal doesn't need to apologize for anything

This complaint outrage was started by a goofy right wing republican. I can't believe any DUer would support this trivial crap. Give it a rest.

Here's a real problem to be concerned about: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002557301

[pstokely]

47. UMKC offers the metro rate to JOCO and WYCO residents regardless of where they work

Last edited Fri Apr 13, 2012, 04:41 AM - Edit history (1)

http://www.umkc.edu/metrorate/

Does the KU Med Center campus have any programs for Missouri residents at in-state rates?

[proud2BlibKansan]

49. So your nonsense about tax dollars and residency is wrong.

And you're proving it in your own replies?

[snooper2]

25. Probably outraged enough to complain about it on a random message board on the Intertubes..

[The Straight Story]

15. Have to agree with the parents here

Words that indoctrinate your kids into a belief they don't hold can harm those kids in terrible ways.

Can you imagine, I mean seriously imagine, if they had played a song that had the word (and I shudder to use it in case any children are present) "Christmas" in it?

Now I know...They weren't having full classes on it, there were no banners up, and the kids weren't handed pamphlets celebrating that 'other' team. But merely acknowledging it should be enough to get us all involved in calling the school.

A song! For god's sake think of the kids and what it might do to them!

Chalk up another reason I home school, can't imagine having my daughter coming home in tears after hearing something that was not in line with her ideals and culture......

There just might be a tad sarcasm in the above.

[pstokely]

17. Principal is either a kU fan or didn't realize how many Mizzou fans are in the area

Last edited Wed Apr 11, 2012, 10:43 PM - Edit history (1)

People take these rivalries seriously. Game started too late for kids anyway.

[Nye Bevan]

23. If this is the biggest complaint that the parents have about this school,

it must be a pretty great institution.

[pstokely]

30. Lees Summit doesn't have the issues of the KCMO district

But neither do most largely white suburban districts

[tinymontgomery]

24. Well that little bit of breaking up the morning

Well that little bit of fun starting the morning for elementary kid will be over. Now it will be sit down and start work, don't talk about a team you like. Teachers won't take the chance of getting in trouble over voicing opinions about a team.


What next, don't talk about what newspaper you read?