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SEATTLE - Ingraham High School teacher Peter Colino is on paid leave after wearing a Michael Jordan costume that included a black rubber face-mask and black gloves.
It offended some students and parents, prompting the principal to write to parents:
“The teacher has been placed on administrative leave while further investigation is conducted… His behavior is in opposition to Ingraham’s values of racial diversity and inclusivity and have impacted our students negatively.”
However, Colino’s students KIRO 7 spoke with said they truly believe that although what Colino did was a bit misguided he did not mean any offense.
“He’s always talking to us about how racism is not good for our generation, not good for anyone,” said one student. “He’s always talking about how much he cares about other people’s opinions and thoughts.”
“He was just trying to be in the Halloween spirit,” said another student. “He’s the sweetest guy and he personally apologized to all his classes. He took it seriously; he didn’t take it as a joke.”