2022 YIR: East Side Elementary Logo No Longer Used
The controversial eagle logo resembling the Nazi eagle emblem has disappeared.
Outrage from the Jewish community, and especially parents of elementary school students in Cobb County, appears to have had its intended results. The new logo introduced by East Side Elementary School on July 15 is no longer being used by the school.
The winged-eagle logo, which reminded many of the Nazi eagle emblem, caught the immediate attention of parents who went on social media to complain. As one noted, the emblem “looks similar to another well-known image. I think (& hope) this was an honest oversight.”
Congregation Etz Chaim Rabbi Daniel Dorsch, whose synagogue is just across the street from East Side Elementary School, said, “As of now, I have not received any updates from the school of the matter. I have checked in with some parents…who have also not heard anything new.” He added that “it is my understanding that they are no longer using the offensive logo.”
After the introduction of the logo caused an uproar in his congregation, Dorsch received a call from the school’s principal, Marcia Clark, who “apologized and was completely mortified. We have a wonderful relationship with the school. It’s literally next door. Both past and present teachers there have been congregants. We use their parking lot on the High Holidays. I believe it was 100 percent accidental.”
Clark then released a statement saying, “We recently introduced a new set of logos for the school. The school is aware of concerns about these logos, and therefore, we have paused to consider that feedback. We will be immediately reviewing the logos to determine needed changes.”
And a Cobb School district spokesperson stated that the “roll-out of this logo has been halted, and we are immediately reviewing needed changes. We understand and strongly agree that similarities to Nazi symbolism are unacceptable. Although this design was based on the U.S. Army colonel’s eagle wings, stakeholder input has been, and continues to be, important to our schools. We appreciate those who took time to share their thoughts and will make sure all input is reviewed as changes are considered.”
East Side Elementary is the largest elementary school in Cobb County with about 1,240 students. The student body’s demographics indicate that it is 59 percent white, 26 percent Asian, five percent African American, seven percent Hispanic, and three percent multi-racial. It is unknown how many students are Jewish.
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