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Loss of school name would be sad
Published Thursday, June 12, 2008
It will be a sad loss if “Fergus Falls High School” is not a part of the name when the Fergus Falls Middle School and the Fergus Falls High School are combined into one building. But, according to the Fergus Falls School Board, the proposed new name for the combined middle school/high school will be “Kennedy Secondary School.”
It was stated that the School Board wanted a completely new name for the combined middle school/high school for ease of giving directions and they asked Middle School students to name it. (At one time I erroneously thought the students were going to name the school addition.) I’m sure these students put a good deal of study into deciding on the name “Kennedy” but I feel that the School Board shouldn’t have eliminated “Fergus Falls High School” from the name of this combined school. The Board stated that a completely new name would make it easier to give directions to the building. It’s possible that some people may experience some initial confusion when trying to find the high school (after it’s combined with the middle school at the current middle school site) but all buildings have a street address and I’m sure people will fairly quickly learn the location of the Fergus Falls Middle School/Fergus Falls High School. Therefore, I don’t think a completely new school name was necessary.
When the new “Kennedy Secondary School” was questioned it was stated that [the term] Fergus Falls High School will be used, “when posting scores on TV, radio.” But if the term “Fergus Falls High School” can be used when scores are given to TV, radio, and the newspaper, doesn’t it only make sense that the “Fergus Falls High School” name be a part of this building? That way high school students can attend and seniors can graduate from “Fergus Falls High School” and not “Kennedy Secondary School.”
For decades the name “Fergus Falls Senior High” or Fergus Falls High School” has been the name of the Alma Mater of Fergus Falls graduates. It is also a name that immediately identifies the Fergus Falls community with the high school and it is a source of history and pride. I think it will be a loss to the Fergus Falls community, to Fergus Falls alumni, and to the Fergus Falls students if the “Fergus Falls High School” name is eliminated from the building name. Therefore, I ask the School Board to reconsider the proposed name of “Kennedy Secondary School.” I think it would be much more appropriate and meaningful to name the combined middle school/high school with a name such as the “Fergus Falls Middle School/Fergus Falls High School” or “Fergus Falls Middle School and Fergus Falls High School.” If the Board still thinks the name “Kennedy” is important perhaps that could be given to the new addition that will be built on the north side of the Middle School. I thank the Board for considering this.
Regina Bergantine - Fergus Falls
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by cheif (anonymous) on June 12, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why didn't you go to the school board to express your feelings on this? Then mabey they'd see your point. Now, it's a done deal and will not be changed. On radio, they don't use Jefferson High School for Alexandria - and nobody is confused. On the radio they'll most likely use "the Fergus Falls Otters" just as they always have.
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on June 12, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
for christ sakes, it is just a name that no one will use.
Posted by Josephine (anonymous) on June 15, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I graduated from FF in the 70's. Proud to say "I graduated from Roosevelt Park Senior High School" and attended Washington Junior High School. Washington/Roosevelt Secondary School, home of the Otters isn't so bad and it keeps with the tradition of the town.
Posted by andtongs (anonymous) on June 16, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Josephine if you graduated from RPSH in the 70's you could not have gone to Washington Junior high as it had already burned down.
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The junior high burned down on May 29, 1967. Those who were in 7th grade that spring would have graduated from RPSH in 1972. If they were in 8th grade, they would have been seniors in 1971 (9th graders in 1970). However, those who were really bad at math may not have graduated at all.
Posted by andtongs (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
or they work at a bank.
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