East Ridge Middle School announced the theme in its weekly newsletter, sent to families on Sunday.
Principal Christy Caldwell Drake apologized on Monday, explaining that her inspiration for the theme was a school mural that says “Where Every Child Matters”.
“I want to apologize for not considering the context of this issue any more fully,” she wrote in a letter sent to families.
“As a black woman in leadership, I embrace civil rights, Black History Month and the sacrifices that were made by those who came before me. I hope that my students, many of whom look like me, believe in the possibilities of their life unlimited potential, “she wrote.
She said her father was a local pastor and civil rights leader and that her parents were educators.
“I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the struggle for equality,” she wrote.
CNN was unable to contact Drake for comment.
“Whoever thought this was a good idea really refused to think critically about it or (is) deliberately ignorant about it or just doesn’t want to educate themselves about it, and it upsets me from my children’s educators,” Arnold said. .
She told the WRCB that she felt the topic would marginalize many students at the school.
Hamilton County Schools spokesman Cody Patterson told CNN that Drake had apologized and removed the issue and that the district was not planning any further action.
“If you read her apology letter, you will see her heart,” said Patterson.
He said the district did not create a specific theme for Black History Month.
“We are recognizing and celebrating the sacrifices made by so many black Americans,” he said.