Kansas school district apologizes for only inviting African-American students on field trip

A Kansas school district has issued an apology after sending a letter to high school students that only seemed to invite African-Americans on a proposed field trip that included visits to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, American Jazz Museum and lunch at a barbeque restaurant.

The letter, which was sent to Olathe South High School students by Assistant Principal Candy Birch, stated the school was “planning an outing open to our African-American sophomores and juniors” for April 5.

In addition to the museums and restaurant, the trip also included a stop at the Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery to see the "History and Hope: Celebrating the Civil Rights Movement" exhibit.

The restaurant, Arthur Bryant's, serves “barbeque that's slow-smoked with a combination of hickory and oak woods, mellowed to the peak of flavor, then splashed with Original or Rich & Spicy sauce.”

KCTV5 contacted the school after an upset student got in touch with the station.

"The Olathe South administration would like to apologize for the misunderstanding," the district told the station in a statement. "As a district we are always looking for ways for our students to get connected and be involved, and unfortunately the letter suggested that this event was only open to African-American students. We would like to make clear that all students are welcome to attend this event."

According to KCTV5 there has not been an “in-school announcement clarifying” the excursion is open to all students

[KCTV5] [Arthur Bryant’s]