NJ school district investigates if staffers wore 'Gulf of America' shirts
NJ school district investigates if staffers wore 'Gulf of America' shirts
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Mexican President condemns Google for Gulf of Mexico name change
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sent a formal letter to Google opposing its decision to comply with Donald Trump's order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America".
unbranded - Newsworthy
A group of Belleville High School employees are being investigated by district officials for reportedly wearing t-shirts with the words 'Gulf of America' — the name change to the Gulf of Mexico suggested by President Donald Trump.
In a letter sent to parents and staff this week, interim Schools Superintendent Nicholas Perrapato said a 'small group of staff members wore coordinated clothing' that offended some students and employees. About 73% of the 1,500 students are Hispanic, according to enrollment data from two years ago.
Perrapato said in his Feb. 4 letter that he was unable to share many details because it is now a 'personnel matter.'
'We recognize that political dialogue can be especially charged,' he wrote. 'We encourage thoughtful actions and respectful conversations among our students and staff.'
No photos or video have surfaced on social media of the staffers allegedly wearing the shirts. NJ.com first reported the incident saying the shirts were worn as part of a dress-down day on Jan. 31.
Some New Jersey school districts have policies forbidding any type of political paraphernalia in schools except for teaching purposes. Staff dress codes are sometimes written in union contracts.
In a Jan. 20 executive order titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness," Trump wrote that the Gulf of America will be printed on official government maps, contracts, communications, and other documents. About a week later, Google announced that it would change the name on its maps.
The order prompted merchandise sellers to create "Gulf of America" products from globes to t-shirts.
The area of water bordering the southern United States and eastern Mexico has been named the Gulf of Mexico since at least the late 1600s. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has said the United States cannot unilaterally change the name of an international body of water.
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