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Background
Background
In the summer of 2020, a long time Sheridan teacher and the parent teacher organization (PTO) proposed and agreed that it was time to look at the history of the school name and consider a name that best reflects the school community and our vision and values. A Name Change Task Force was created and opened to community members, meeting several times throughout the fall to discuss the meaning of names, the history of Philip H. Sheridan and the process to engage the larger community in finding a name that truly reflects who we are as a community. These updated web pages reflect much of our conversation and gathered community feedback.
In the summer of 2020, a long time Sheridan teacher and the parent teacher organization (PTO) proposed and agreed that it was time to look at the history of the school name and consider a name that best reflects the school community and our vision and values. A Name Change Task Force was created and opened to community members, meeting several times throughout the fall to discuss the meaning of names, the history of Philip H. Sheridan and the process to engage the larger community in finding a name that truly reflects who we are as a community. These updated web pages reflect much of our conversation and gathered community feedback.
What’s in a name?
What’s in a name?
The process of naming a person or place involves a variety of intentions and considerations. People are named after family members, to fit personality, or simply because the parent or community likes the sound of it, but there is always intention in naming. Sometimes the meaning of a name can be lost, forgotten, or re-created. Names carry different meanings and significance in different cultures and religions. A name is something that can be changed and selected to fit the values and vision for a person or place overtime.
The process of naming a person or place involves a variety of intentions and considerations. People are named after family members, to fit personality, or simply because the parent or community likes the sound of it, but there is always intention in naming. Sometimes the meaning of a name can be lost, forgotten, or re-created. Names carry different meanings and significance in different cultures and religions. A name is something that can be changed and selected to fit the values and vision for a person or place overtime.
Who was Philip H. Sheridan?
Who was Philip H. Sheridan?
The history of this US General is both complicated and violent. General Philip Sheridan began his military career in the Union army in the Civil War and afterwards went on to play a decisive role in the army's long campaign against the native peoples of the plains, forcing them onto reservations with the tactics of total war. He is notorious for ruthless methods including attacking the Indians' in their encampments during the winter to give him the element of surprise and take advantage of the scarce forage available for Indian mounts. He was unconcerned about the likelihood of high casualties among noncombatants, once remarking that "If a village is attacked and women and children killed, the responsibility is not with the soldiers but with the people whose crimes necessitated the attack."
The history of this US General is both complicated and violent. General Philip Sheridan began his military career in the Union army in the Civil War and afterwards went on to play a decisive role in the army's long campaign against the native peoples of the plains, forcing them onto reservations with the tactics of total war. He is notorious for ruthless methods including attacking the Indians' in their encampments during the winter to give him the element of surprise and take advantage of the scarce forage available for Indian mounts. He was unconcerned about the likelihood of high casualties among noncombatants, once remarking that "If a village is attacked and women and children killed, the responsibility is not with the soldiers but with the people whose crimes necessitated the attack."
The first demonstration of this strategy came in 1868, when three columns of troops under Sheridan's command converged on what is now northwestern Oklahoma to force the Kiowa, Comanche, Arapaho and Cheyenne onto their reservations. The key engagement in this campaign was George Armstrong Custer's surprise attack on Black Kettle's encampment along the Washita River, an attack that came at dawn after a forced march through a snowstorm. Many historians now regard this victory as a massacre, since Black Kettle was a peaceful chief whose encampment was on reservation soil, but for Sheridan the attack served its purpose, helping to persuade other bands to give up their traditional way of life and move onto the reservations.
The first demonstration of this strategy came in 1868, when three columns of troops under Sheridan's command converged on what is now northwestern Oklahoma to force the Kiowa, Comanche, Arapaho and Cheyenne onto their reservations. The key engagement in this campaign was George Armstrong Custer's surprise attack on Black Kettle's encampment along the Washita River, an attack that came at dawn after a forced march through a snowstorm. Many historians now regard this victory as a massacre, since Black Kettle was a peaceful chief whose encampment was on reservation soil, but for Sheridan the attack served its purpose, helping to persuade other bands to give up their traditional way of life and move onto the reservations.
Why consider a name change?
Why consider a name change?
We acknowledge that some of our families are more deeply affected by this horrific history, some would rather not reflect on it, as it is too painful, while others may prefer to let naming decisions of the past stand. However, if we intend to create an inclusive environment for all our members, we must consider how the US treatment of Natives continues to play out today in the dominant culture and perpetuates inequality.
We acknowledge that some of our families are more deeply affected by this horrific history, some would rather not reflect on it, as it is too painful, while others may prefer to let naming decisions of the past stand. However, if we intend to create an inclusive environment for all our members, we must consider how the US treatment of Natives continues to play out today in the dominant culture and perpetuates inequality.
Although Sheridan’s violent history is not what students and staff typically think of when we refer to our beloved learning community, we believe we can use the power of a name to better live out our values. As a community member stated, “The fact that many of us did not know the history of the name is not an excuse, “ignorance is no defense”. The kids (our current students) deserve better-they deserve something that elevates and celebrates their backgrounds.”
Although Sheridan’s violent history is not what students and staff typically think of when we refer to our beloved learning community, we believe we can use the power of a name to better live out our values. As a community member stated, “The fact that many of us did not know the history of the name is not an excuse, “ignorance is no defense”. The kids (our current students) deserve better-they deserve something that elevates and celebrates their backgrounds.”
For the past several years the administration at Sheridan School has committed to utilize restorative peace practices and culturally informed teaching in the classrooms and halls. In that same frame of mind we seek to extend those restorative practices to all areas of our school including the name.
For the past several years the administration at Sheridan School has committed to utilize restorative peace practices and culturally informed teaching in the classrooms and halls. In that same frame of mind we seek to extend those restorative practices to all areas of our school including the name.
Who we are / Quienes somos
Who we are / Quienes somos
Our Vision: We are a caring, diverse community of creative, inclusive, critical thinkers who empower its members to be lifelong learners.
Our Vision: We are a caring, diverse community of creative, inclusive, critical thinkers who empower its members to be lifelong learners.
Our Mission: To Provide every student with a diverse, standard-based educational experience through the arts and language immersion instruction.
Our Mission: To Provide every student with a diverse, standard-based educational experience through the arts and language immersion instruction.
Vision: Somos una comunidad diverse, cariñosa, inclusiva de pensadores críticos que fomentan que sus miembros cultiven el aprendizaje de por vida.
Vision: Somos una comunidad diverse, cariñosa, inclusiva de pensadores críticos que fomentan que sus miembros cultiven el aprendizaje de por vida.
Mision: Proveer a cada estudiante una experiencia diversa y basada en estandares educativos a traves de la instruccion en las artes e inmersion linguistica.
Mision: Proveer a cada estudiante una experiencia diversa y basada en estandares educativos a traves de la instruccion en las artes e inmersion linguistica.
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