Administrators at a Wisconsin elementary school stopped a first-grade class from performing a Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton duet promoting LGBTQ acceptance because the song "could be perceived as controversial."
Students at Heyer Elementary School in Waukesha had prepared a rendition of "Rainbowland" for their spring concert, but school officials struck the song from the lineup last week. Parents in the district say the decision was made because the song encourages LGBTQ acceptance and references rainbows.
Superintendent James Sebert, who did not immediately return a call on Monday, confirmed to WITI-TV in Milwaukee that administrators had removed "Rainbowland" from the first-grade concert because it might not be "appropriate for the age and maturity level of the students." He also cited a school board policy against raising controversial issues in classrooms.
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Administrators at a Waukesha elementary school aren't letting a first-grade class perform "Rainbowland," a duet featuring Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus.
Sebert has previously prohibited rainbows and pride flags from being displayed in Waukesha classrooms and suspended the school district's equity and diversity work in 2021.
"Let's all dig down deep inside, brush the judgment and fear aside," the song from Cyrus' 2017 album "Younger Now" goes. "Living in a Rainbowland, where you and I go hand in hand. Oh, I'd be lying if I said this was fine, all the hurt and the hate going on here."
First-grade teacher Melissa Tempel said she chose the song because its message seemed universal and sweet. The class concert's theme was "The World" and included other songs such as "Here Comes the Sun," by The Beatles and "What a Wonderful World," by Louis Armstrong.
"My students were just devastated. They really liked this song and we had already begun singing it," Tempel said Monday.
Administrators also initially banned the song "Rainbow Connection" from The Muppets but later reversed that decision, according to Tempel.
Parents have been angered by the song's removal, Tempel said. But she was more concerned about what the ban and other district policies against expressing LGBTQ support meant for students.
"These confusing messages about rainbows are ultimately creating a culture that seems unsafe towards queer people," she said.
Spokespersons for Parton and Cyrus did not immediately respond to emails on Monday asking for the artists' thoughts on the ban.
Wisconsin school board races, including in Waukesha, have become increasingly partisan in recent years. Republicans saw big gains across the state's school board races in 2022 and have used the positions to challenge policies from rules about transgender kids to COVID-19 restrictions.
From Badgers to Kringle, test your knowledge of Wisconsin's state symbols
State Animal: Badger
Although badgers have been associated with our coat of arms, the state flag, the University of Wisconsin, the official seal and Cornish miners since the days of the Wisconsin Territory, it was four elementary school students from Jefferson County who discovered the animal had no official status in Wisconsin. You would think the badger was the only logical choice for state animal. Some northern legislators, however, wanted the white-tailed deer picked due to its strength, regal stature, and the economic value of deer hunting. In 1957 a compromise was reached, the American badger (Taxidea taxus) was named the state animal.
State Ballad: Oh Wisconsin, Land of My Dreams
Music written by Shari A. Sarazin and lyrics written by Erma Barrett, the words to which are as follows: “Oh Wisconsin, land of beauty, with your hillsides and your plains, with your jackpine and your birch tree, and your oak of mighty frame. Land of rivers, lakes and valleys, land of warmth and winter snows, land of birds and beasts and humanity, oh Wisconsin, I love you so." View more lyrics
State Beverage: Milk
The Wisconsin Legislature designated milk as the official state beverage in 1987. This action recognized Wisconsin’s position as the nation’s leading milk-producing state and the contribution of milk to the state’s economy. The World Dairy Expo and various Wisconsin dairy production and dairy cattle associations supported the legislation.
State Bird: Robin
During the 1926-27 school year, the state Federation of Women's Clubs sponsored bird studies in the public schools. School children robin chose the familiar robin (Turdus migratorius) 2-to-1 over the nearest competitor. The robin has earned this title partly because it is one of the five most abundant summer residents found in Wisconsin. The robin is also a migratory bird. We commonly think of it as the first sign of spring, even though it arrives after the killdeers, Canada geese, and red-winged blackbirds.
In 2017, fourth graders at Mineral Point Elementary School proposed a bill that made cheese the official state dairy product of Wisconsin. 90 percent of the milk produced in the state goes on to become about three billion pounds of cheese.
State Dance: Polka
The polka was designated the state dance by 1993 Wisconsin. The legislation was introduced at the request of a second grade class from Charles Lindbergh Elementary School in Madison and supported by several groups, including the Wisconsin Polka Boosters, Inc., and the Wisconsin Folk Museum. Supporters documented the polka heritage of Wisconsin and provided evidence that the polka is deeply ingrained in Wisconsin cultural traditions.
State Dog: Water Spaniel
The American water spaniel was named Wisconsin’s official state dog in 1985. Enactment of the law was the culmination of years of effort by eighth grade students of Lyle Brumm at Washington Junior High School in New London. The American water spaniel is said to be one of only five dog breeds indigenous to the United States and the only one native to Wisconsin. The American water spaniel was developed as a practical, versatile hunting dog that combined certain physical attributes with intelligence and a good disposition.
The American water spaniel was named Wisconsin’s official state dog in 1985. Enactment of the law was the culmination of years of effort by eighth grade students of Lyle Brumm at Washington Junior High School in New London. The American water spaniel is said to be one of only five dog breeds indigenous to the United States and the only one native to Wisconsin. The American water spaniel was developed as a practical, versatile hunting dog that combined certain physical attributes with intelligence and a good disposition.
State Domestic Animal: Dairy Cow
The dairy cow was added to the statutes as Wisconsin's official "domestic animal" in recognition of its many contributions to the state. This made sense since Wisconsin already promoted itself as "America's Dairyland," as seen on our license plates. This also lead to the designation of the state beverage, milk. Wisconsin has been a leader in the nation's milk production for many years. Agriculture remains an important part of Wisconsin's economy.
State Fish: Muskellunge
Named the official state fish in 1955, this ferocious member of the pike family is often known in fish stories as "the one that got away." The lakes and rivers of Wisconsin's north are home to the muskellunge. Muskellunge occur in 711 lakes and 83 river segments in Wisconsin. Look for muskies in lakes in the headwater regions of the Chippewa, Flambeau and Wisconsin rivers. Many lakes and streams have healthy muskellunge populations in central and southern Wisconsin where fry and fingerlings have been stocked.
Wisconsin State Flag
The flag was first designed in 1863 at the request of Civil War regiments who wanted an official flag to fly during the war on the battlefield. The flag was later revised several times to add more distinctive features. The flag includes the Coat of Arms which represents many of our valued natural resources and the contributions of early pioneers to the state's development.
State Flower: Wood Violet
State flowers were first nominated in 1908. When the official tally was taken on Arbor Day 1909, school children selected the wood violet (Viola papilionacea) over the wild rose, trailing arbutus, and the white water lily. It was a close vote. The wood violet is a small flower commonly seen in wet woodland and meadow areas, and along roadsides. This purple violet is very popular in the eastern United States and blooms between March and June. Not only is it the state flower for Wisconsin, but it also holds this title in Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
State Fossil: Trilobite
The Wisconsin Geological Society proposed a state fossil in 1985 to encourage interest in our geological heritage. The trilobite is an extinct marine arthropod that was common in the warm, shallow salt sea that periodically covered Wisconsin hundreds of millions of years ago. The three-lobed creature had a tough, furrowed exoskeleton that was shed as the animal grew and molted. Many specimens ranging from less than an inch to 14 inches in length have been preserved in rock formations throughout the state.
State Fruit: Cranberry
The cranberry was designated the state fruit in 2003. The legislation was the culmination of a class project by fifth grade students from Trevor Grade School in Kenosha County, who decided that the cranberry, rather than the cherry, was the best candidate for Wisconsin’s state fruit. Wisconsin leads the nation in cranberry production, accounting for over half of the nation’s output. Cranberries are grown in 20 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, primarily in the central part of the state.
State Grain: Corn
Corn was designated the official state grain in 1989. During legislative debate, sponsors claimed designating corn as the state grain would draw attention to its importance as a cash crop in Wisconsin and make people more aware of corn’s many uses, including livestock feed, sweeteners, ethanol fuel, and biodegradable plastics.
State Insect: Honey Bee
In 1977, the third grade class of Holy Family School in Marinette was studying the legislative process, hands-on. With encouragement from the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association, they asked the Legislature to select the honey bee (Apis mellifera) as the state insect. The news got the school community abuzz. Attempts to get other elementary school students to help choose a state bug by popular ballot failed. The monarch butterfly, dragonfly, ladybug and mosquito were contenders for the title, but the honey bee won.
State Mineral: Galena
The state mineral became Galena at the same time red granite became the state rock, thanks to the proposal put fourth by the Kenosha Gem and Mineral Society in 1971. They wanted to promote awareness of Wisconsin's geology. Galena was selected because of its abundance, uniqueness, economic value, historical significance, and because it is native to our state. Galena is the most important mineral source of lead. It grows in cubes or square crystals and is dark gray.
State Pastry: Kringle
In 2013 Wisconsin designated the kringle as the state pastry. The kringle is a flaky dough pastry that can be filled with fruit, nuts, or other filling and baked with icing. The proposal was supported by the city of Racine, as they are a mass producer of the pastry.
State Rock: Red Granite
Galena was made the official state mineral and red granite the state rock in 1971. The proposal was introduced at the request of the Kenosha Gem and Mineral Society to promote geological awareness. Galena met the criteria for selection, as set by the Wisconsin Geological Society, including abundance, uniqueness, economic value, historical significance, and native nature. Red granite is an igneous rock composed of quartz and feldspar. It is mined in several sections of the state and was selected as the state rock because of its economic importance.
Wisconsin State Seal
The seal consists of the coat or arms with the words “The Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin” centered above and a curved line of 13 stars, representing the 13 original United States, centered below, surrounded by an ornamental border.
State Soil: Antigo
The Wisconsin state soil was selected in 1983 to help remind us of our responsibility to take care of our soil resources. People argued that soil, a natural resource that took 10,000 years to produce, not only is essential to Wisconsin's economy, but also is the foundation of life itself. Silt loam is a productive, silty soil originating from the glaciers and enriched by organic matter from prehistoric forests. It is named after the city of Antigo. This soil supports dairying, potato growing, and timber.
State Song: On, Wisconsin
Music written by W. T. Purdy, the words to which are as follows: “On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Grand old badger state! We, thy loyal sons and daughters, Hail thee, good and great. On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Champion of the right, `Forward', our motto — God will give thee might!"
Music written by W. T. Purdy, the words to which are as follows: “On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Grand old badger state! We, thy loyal sons and daughters, Hail thee, good and great. On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Champion of the right, `Forward', our motto — God will give thee might!"
State Symbol of Peace: Mourning Dove
The mourning dove was named the state symbol of peace in 1971. Wisconsin has two sub-species of Mourning dove that look almost alike. Some of them migrate to wintering grounds and others stay in Wisconsin all winter. This bird species is currently hunted in Wisconsin, along with many states. They have been hunted for many years throughout the United States and continue to be one of the most abundant birds in North America.
State Tartan: Hunting Tartan
The state tartan was created by 2007. Legislation was introduced at the request of the Saint Andrew’s Society of Milwaukee, which had formed a committee to recommend an appropriate design. The design selected was chosen to reflect the diversity and uniqueness of the state. Historically, tartans served to identify Scottish highland clans and families. The color scheme reflects the tartans of many notable Wisconsin families of Scottish ancestry and the natural resources and industries of Wisconsin.
State Tree: Sugar Maple
The sugar maple (Acer saccharum) was selected as the state tree by school children in a statewide vote in 1893. Oaks, pines, and elms were also favorites, but the maple won out. A second vote of school children in our centennial year, 1948, reaffirmed support for the sugar maple. Legislators created a new section of the statutes to authorize the designation of official state symbols. So a state tree, state flower and state bird were all selected during the centennial session and became official state symbols in 1949.
State Waltz: The Wisconsin Waltz
Music and lyrics written by Eddie Hansen, the words to which are as follows: “Music from heaven throughout the years; the beautiful Wisconsin Waltz. Favorite song of the pioneers; the beautiful Wisconsin Waltz. Song of my heart on that last final day, when it is time to lay me away. One thing I ask is to let them play the beautiful Wisconsin Waltz." View more lyrics
State Wildlife Animal: White Tail Deer
In 1957, Wisconsin’s northern counties introduced a bill to make the white-tailed deer the official animal, citing the state’s large native deer population, the animal’s physical attributes, and the considerable economic benefits derived from the annual deer hunt.
Parton
Cyrus
"My students were just devastated. They really liked this song and we had already begun singing it."
Melissa Tempel, first-grade teacher
