Dr. Fiedler said “The article is NOT OK..."

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Dr. Chris Fiedler confirmed that an article titled “Alien Immigration Attracts Attention” appeared in the Prairie View High School student newspaper. The article was published May 1 and discussed the impact that “Alien Immigrants from the planet Zarcon” are having on the high school.

The edition was clearly marked “April Fools 2009” and included many satirical articles such as “Sesame Street Icon Leads Police on Puppet Chase,” “Twilight Wannabes Cancel Prairie View’s Prom,” “Prairie View’s Own Mascot Arrested Over Spring Break,” “Gator-in-Toilet Prank Swamps PVHS,” “The Yeti Migration,” “Teachers Found Guilty of Addiction” (to glazed donuts), and “Water Contamination Causes Mutations.”

It featured photos such as Nessie the Lochness Monster in the pond behind the school.

Despite that, Dr. Fiedler said “The article is NOT OK. While it was clearly an April Fools edition, the article would not have been appropriate even if the published on April 1.”

Dr. Fiedler has addressed the issue with the teacher and is confident this sort of activity will not occur again.

After students went to the principal with concerns yesterday regarding the article, Dr. Fiedler and about 85 concerned students met for a lengthy discussion with the teacher. The teacher apologized to the students and the students were given the opportunity to share why they were offended by the article.

The students were invited to write articles / letters to the editor and each one will be published in the next PVHS student newspaper.

“What really hurts the most in all this,” Dr. Fiedler said, “is that on May 15 we’re going to be designated a ‘No Place for Hate’ school. We’ve done so much this year to unify our students … this will set us back.”