Chicago’s Daniel Boone Elementary seeks new
name because of explorer’s troubled past
By Tribune Content Agency, adapted by Newsela staff on 04.07.22
Word Count 694
Level 890L
A student arrives at Daniel Boone Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois, on February 24, 2022. The Local School Council is considering a
name change because of Boone’s ties to enslavement. Photo: Jose M. Osorio Photo: Jose M. Osorio
Students at Daniel Boone Elementary in Chicago, Illinois, will soon have a group project. They will
decide on a new name to suggest for the school.
In January, Boone's Local School Council decided to ax the school's namesake, the famed 19thcentury frontiersman. The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) equity office noted that Daniel Boone
enslaved people. They called him a "historically egregious figure." In other words, he was
objectionable. Meanwhile, CPS is writing a policy for schools that want to dump names and
mascots tied to slavery, racism and cruelty to women.
Mary Fergus is CPS spokesperson. She said the proposed districtwide rules are expected to come
before the Chicago Board of Education in spring 2022. This would be after a public comment
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period. The school launched a survey to gather community input on a new name. It scheduled a
meeting for parents, guardians, staff and community members who are Black, Indigenous or
people of color.
School officials told families last week that students will research to help their class propose a
school name. The goal, said parent Cassandra Kaczocha, is to make sure the new name reflects the
values of the students and community. The community soon will hear those choices.
A Folk Hero With No Ties To Chicago
No one seems to know why the school is named for Boone. He has no meaningful ties to Chicago.
Boone was a folk hero who is recognized for guiding settlers into Kentucky. A 1965 Chicago
Tribune story noted that "Boone never came as far north as Chicago in his travels."
Dona Vitale works for the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society. She notes Boone was a
respected historical figure when the school opened in 1928. He had died in 1820. People heard
tales of his courage and hunting skills in music and poetry. So, he might have seemed like a good
fit for a name then.
Around 1964, the elementary school's leaders created
a code of behavior inspired by Boone. It advised
students to practice "truth in thought" and "honesty in
actions," the Tribune reported at the time. The
school's second rule, the report said, was "'We believe
in the worth and dignity of every individual." The
Tribune said that "might please the man who
befriended more Indians than he fought."
Boone Is "Too Big Of A Stretch" For Students
The thinking on Boone has changed, at least at CPS.
The district's equity office works to increase fairness between people. It noted Boone's
"relationship with native/Indigenous colonization." He also enslaved Black people, according to a
note sent to school families a few months ago. Boone is said to have enslaved seven people.
Paul Zavitkovsky was principal from 1991 to 2001. He said the name change is long overdue.
Of the school's 737 students, 40 percent are Latino; nearly 34 percent are Asian; 14 percent white;
and 10 percent Black, CPS data shows for the 2021–22 school year. Many come from immigrant
families, said Zavitkovsky.
He said they tried to fit Boone's life experiences with that of the students.
"It was just too big a stretch," said Zavitkovsky. Boone "took it for granted that he was entitled to
confiscate land from Indigenous people in the name of needing more elbow room."
Zavitkovsky said he didn't hear anyone raise issue with the name during his time there.
More Chicago Schools Get New Names
CPS said a new school name would not go to the board of education for approval before March
2023.
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Among other guidelines, nominees should have made "significant contributions" to society. The
school principal and LSC chairperson together recommend a new name.
Two Chicago schools adopted new names last year. Louis Agassiz Elementary School is now
Harriet Tubman Elementary School. Andrew Jackson Language Academy transformed into
Chicago World Language Academy.
West Ridge "is not the same community that it once was," Zavitkovsky said. "The school needs to
represent" the dreams of the community. And I don't think Daniel Boone is a figure that will
inspire" those dreams, he said.
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Quiz
1
Read the following paragraph from the section “More Chicago Schools Get New Names.”
West Ridge “is not the same community that it once was,” Zavitkovsky said. “The school needs to
represent” the dreams of the community. And I don’t think Daniel Boone is a figure that will
inspire” those dreams, he said.
What is an accurate explanation of what this paragraph means?
2
3
4
(A)
West Ridge is a community that has always rejected Daniel Boone’s values.
(B)
West Ridge changed once the CPS decided to rename Boone Elementary.
(C)
Paul Zavitkovsky believes Daniel Boone is still an inspirational figure to many young Americans.
(D)
Paul Zavitkovsky believes schools should change to reflect the current needs of their communities.
Which sentence from the section “A Folk Hero With No Ties To Chicago” explains WHY the school was named for Daniel
Boone?
(A)
No one seems to know why the school is named for Boone.
(B)
People heard tales of his courage and hunting skills in music and poetry.
(C)
Around 1964, the elementary school’s leaders created a code of behavior inspired by Boone.
(D)
The Tribune said that “might please the man who befriended more Indians than he fought.”
What is the relationship between Paul Zavitkovsky and the CPS equity office?
(A)
He is a former CPS principal who agrees with the equity office’s opinions on Boone.
(B)
He is a CPS spokesperson who relayed the equity office’s decision to the public.
(C)
He is the parent of a CPS student who is helping the equity office change the school’s name.
(D)
He wrote the new CPS policy for schools the equity office gave its official approval to in 2022.
What caused the thinking on Daniel Boone to change?
(A)
a Chicago Tribune article stating that Boone had never been to Chicago
(B)
the tales many people heard of Boone’s courage and hunting skills
(C)
Boone’s relationship with Indigenous colonization and slavery
(D)
a study of the ethnic demographics of students in the district
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