January 7, 2002

CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST ALERT
THE RETIREMENT OF INDIAN SPORTS MASCOTS IN
KANSAS SCHOOLS

RE: Asking Kansas State Board of Education Commissioners to retire Indian mascots in Kansas Schools
What: Letter writing campaign , Organizational Endorsements & Speaking at the Board meetings in Topeka

When: NOW THROUGH AUGUST 2002
Catalyst: The Equity Advisory Council to the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) is presenting their resolution against Indian mascots to the KSBE Commissioners in May, 2002.

History: KSBE Commissioners referred this issue to their Equity Advisory Council in the fall of 2001. The Equity Advisory Council to KSBE, wrote a resolution against Indian Mascots in Kansas Public Schools. They have committed to asking the KSBE Commissioners to retire Indian sports mascots in Kansas schools. They need your help to encourage the Commissioners.

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Equity Council members working with Kansas State Department of Education executives on the resolution recommend you can best influence the KSBE Commissioners by doing the following:

1. WRITE A LETTER TO KSBE: Every living breathing person in Kansas and around the country who can support the initiative to eliminate Indian mascots should NOW write a letter to the Commissioners of the Kansas State Board of Education, (KSBE).
ONE CLICK E-MAIL ADDRESSES OF KSBE COMMISSIONERS

Ask the secretary to forward your letter to each Commissioner.

Penny Plamann, KSBE Secretary
120 Southeast 10th Street
Topeka, KS 66612-1182

pplamann@ksde.org

Phone Number: (785) 296-3201
FAX Number: (785) 296-7933

INDIVIDUAL E-MAIL & SNAIL MAIL ADDRESSES OF KSBE COMMISSIONERS
http://www.ksde.org/commiss/bdaddr.html
Please forward a copy of your letter to one of the support staff in this initiative:
Joni Tucker Nisbeth
PO Box Box 425
Hutchinson, KS 67504
620-663-9879 voice or fax

Matthew Richter
1131 Iron Horse Road
McPherson, KS 67460
620-241-7240
contact

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ALSO NEEDED

2. ORGANIZATION ENDORSEMENTS: Contact groups of any kind who will endorse the resolution and call for the end of Indian sports mascots in Kansas schools. These organizations need to tell the KSBE Commissioners the Indian mascots must go.

3. Speak at each of the public input sessions Two-three persons are needed at each Feb. 13th, and March 13th, April, May, June, July Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) meetings. The public comment periods is usually at 10:00 AM. The May meeting will probably be scheduled by the board for general "public comments" on the resolution following it's submission by the Equity Advisory Council now scheduled for May, 2002.

If you would please schedule yourself into the KSBE meeting agenda 10 days ahead of time, or call us to help you schedule a 5 minute talk it will go a long way toward teaching the board. They need to hear you and see you.

To get on the speaking agenda at public input or to submit a letter to the Commissioners the secretary is:

Penny Plamann pplamann@ksde.org
Office of the Commissioners, Kansas State Board of Education

Penny Plamann, Sec. KSBE
120 Southeast 10th Street
Topeka, KS 66612-1182

Phone Number: (785) 296-3201
FAX Number: (785) 296-7933

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For more information, fliers, newsletter, copies of the resolution and further information:
South Central Kansas advocacy group:

Joni Tucker Nisbeth
PO Box Box 425
Hutchinson, KS 67504
620-663-9879 voice or fax

Matthew Richter
1131 Iron Horse Road
McPherson, KS 67460
620-241-7240 voice or fax

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For copies of the Equity Advisory Council to the Kansas Board of Education- Resolution Against Indian Mascots, background information and access to the Federal Equity Assistance Center resources

Midwest Equity Assistance Center
401 Bluemont Hall
1100 Mid-Campus Drive
Manhattan, KS 66506-5327

BACKGROUND ON THIS INITIATIVE

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