Family outraged after girl receives monkey, toilet with fake poop as prize gift from school

The Brief

A family is demanding answers and an apology after a little girl received a toy monkey and toilet with fake poop as a school fundraising prize.
The girl’s family said the prize was inappropriate and unacceptable.
The school has yet to comment on the prize.

The prize that is causing outrage among the family is a toy monkey and toilet with fake poop.

What they’re saying:
Genesis Thomas, a 5th grader at Mann Elementary School, helped raise $160 for the school’s fundraiser. After participating in the fundraiser, her teacher gifted her a prize. But once her family saw that prize, they were outraged, saying it was unacceptable.

School prize causes commotion among family
PREVIOUS: A family is demanding an apology and answers after a little girl received what they say is an inappropriate prize from the school.

“It was the prize that she received that we found inappropriate. The prize was a monkey and a toilet with poop in it. African Americans have been referred to as monkeys throughout history and for her to receive a monkey… it’s unacceptable, just unacceptable,” said her great uncle, Craig Polk.

Genesis is unfazed by the gift, but her family wants answers and an apology. They reached out to the school’s principal on Friday and again on Monday, and have not heard any response.

What we don’t know:
The family said there were several other gifts given to students, but they say no one else received this kind of gift. The highest prize was a mini fridge.

The family says it’s unclear if she was targeted due to her race.

The other side:
In a statement to FOX 11, the Long Beach Unified School District said that it is aware of the family’s concerns and apologized “for any hurt or frustration this situation may have caused.”

While the district said that while the fundraiser prizes were meant to “provide lighthearted and fun rewards for students, we recognize that this particular item was not appropriate for our school setting.”

But, the district pushed back against the family’s claim that Genesis was the only one to receive this particular reward, and that “all prizes and their corresponding donation levels were communicated to families in advance.”

Other families also reached out to FOX 11 to defend the school, reiterating that the information on the fundraiser and prizes was distributed to families weeks ahead of time.

“The fact of the matter is it was all laid out from the very start,” said Laura, the mom of a student at the school. “And if there really was a problem with this toy… then there was an opportunity to remove yourself, if you didn’t feel like you could support this.

The Source

Related Posts

The Shocking Consequences of Sleeping With the…See more

Sleeping with the wrong person can leave lasting emotional scars. What seems like a brief moment of pleasure can spiral into regret, confusion, and heartache—especially when intimacy…

I purchased some meat from the store and found something unusual inside

Trust in Familiar Places I usually buy meat from a trusted supermarket. I know the sellers, I trust the quality, and I’ve never had an issue. A…

New Tax Changes Just Announced – Here’s How Much Americans Will Pay

The IRS has just introduced a set of new tax rules that will impact millions of American households. The announcement has already sparked heated debates among politicians,…

My Stepmom Smashed My Late Mom’s Treasured Crystal Set to Pieces – She Had No Idea She Was the One Being Tricked

I’m Jennifer, 25, and I lost my mom, Alice, when I was 16. One of the few things she left me was her cherished crystal glass set,…

This Boy Survived War & Worked as Forklift Truck Driver — He Became World-Famous Actor and Fell in Love at 70

Liam Neeson, renowned for his roles in Taken, Schindler’s List, and Star Wars, has faced profound personal challenges. Growing up in a tumultuous Irish town, Neeson developed…

‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ and ‘Dallas’ Legend Dead at 88

Hollywood director Michael Preece, best known for his work on Walker, Texas Ranger and Dallas, has died at age 88 from heart failure at his Los Angeles…