“Pre-K” Term Confusion Forces Principal to Reconsider Kindergarten

August 29th, 2007 | C-T in "Where Y'at", News, Post K

Editors’ Note: This article originally appeared in Where Y’at Magazine.

83% of New Orleans pre-schoolers have experienced feelings of sadness and confusion when they are referred to “pre-Kers” (or when their class is referred to as “pre-K”) because it makes them feel associated with a time before the Hurricane, a new study claims.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, is expected to have far-reaching effects on education in the city.

Mrs. Loretta Guidry, whose son is in pre-school said, “These children are living it! They’re not ‘Pre-K,’ these are ‘Post-K’ children!

“[Her Son] Little Larry’s is always crying, like he’s getting picked on. It started with teachers just calling them ‘pre-K,’ then the older kids started bullying him. It just hurts the community!”

When questioned about her specific concerns for the community, Mrs. Guidry noted that she was “fixin’ to get ready to” seek legal advice. She reported having made a single phone call, but had not taken any other actions.

Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Guidry’s legal representative Borris Mart, issued a statement, “Her call was all I needed. These children are suffering—emotionally. I’ll get them the money they deserve.”

When asked about impending lawsuits, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Principal Archie Dewberry Cauvigon says that Kindergarten will most likely be cancelled in the upcoming ‘07-’08 school year.

“Look, I’m not saying we can’t have it, but this suit puts the [school] board in a bind,” Mr. Cauvigon told the C-T during a phone interview.

Mr. Cauvignon explained that proposals such as extended interactive workshops, including street corner tap dancing and Mardi Gras bead making, were being investigated.

But he admitted, “I don’t know how we’re gonna handle those Cannabis leaf and other risqué throws.”

When questioned about the possible discontinuation of Kindergarten that had been associated with his lawsuit, Mart explained that he was willing to pursue a class action suit until all Kindergarten classes were discontinued or when the name was appropriately changed to protect his clients.

“They’ve worked hard rebuilding, but ‘Dot-to-Dot’ is not going to help rebuild this city,” Mart explained.

“These children need a year off.”