Schools
Cliffside Park Students Who Protested 'Speak American' Teacher Unfairly Disciplined: Report
One student said they were told by school administrators that there would be repercussions for students who walked out of class.
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Two Cliffside Park High School students have been suspended following a walkout by dozens of students Monday in response to a teacher telling students they need to "speak American," according to a report.
Students who participated in the walkout have been punished by administrators, according to a NorthJersey.com report. The punishments range from detentions to suspensions, according to the report.
Filipp Vasconvellos, a sophomore, said in the report that he received a Saturday detention; he feels that students' rights are being attacked.
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"It's just wrong that they decided to discipline us for standing up for what we believe in," Vasconvellos said in the report.
The teacher in the 26-second video, who has not been formally identified, yelled at a student in class not to speak another language other than English.
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"...men and women are fighting. They are not fighting for your right to speak Spanish," the teacher said in the video. "They are fighting for your right to speak American."
An English teacher reportedly made the comment during a math class, PIX 11 reported. The teacher was covering the class for another teacher.
Alumni have spoken out on social media against what the teacher said.
"As an alumna of this high school, it’s completely disgusting to see that this type of behavior is tolerated and accepted," Nicole Franchesca said on Facebook. " It’s a shame to see what this world has come down to. According to USConstitution.net, the United States has NO official language. As an alumna of this high school, it’s completely disgusting to see that this type of behavior is tolerated and accepted."
A large number of high school students are Latin American and hail from Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, NorthJersey.com previously reported.
RELATED: 'Speak American' NJ Teacher Tells Students In Video
RELATED: Students Respond To Teacher's 'Speak American' Remark By Walking Out Of Cliffside Park High School
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Photo: A screenshot of the YouTube video featuring the teacher's 'speak American' remark.
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