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NORTH SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A North Syracuse school district parent is outraged after her 8-year-old daughter told her about a "slave and slave master" game that she played in her physical education class.

Talisha Fernandez, of Clay, said her daughter told her that on Friday third-graders, who played slaves, had to navigate through an obstacle course, which was said to represent the Underground Railroad. The goal of the game was to not get caught by the slave master, who was played by the gym teacher.

Fernandez's daughter attends KWS Bear Road Elementary in the North Syracuse Central School District.

North Syracuse Superintendent Annette Speach said this morning she was unaware of the game until she was contacted by Syracuse.com. She said she's never heard any complaints about the game.

After looking into the matter, Speach said this morning that the activity was "inappropriate and insensitive and has been discontinued."

The activity was based around a piece of literature that was shared with the third grade class in physical education illustrating the historical events of the Underground Railroad, Speach said. A physical activity was associated with the book in which children were expected to navigate the obstacle course to reach a "safe house."

Bear Road Principal Matthew Motala said Monday that he's never received any complaints about the game in the past. He said the goal was to teach about the Underground Railroad. February was Black History Month.

Syracuse University Prof. George Theoharis, an education expert, said role playing and simulation games are a powerful learning tool in education. However, Theoharis said simulations, games or role playing should not be used to teach topics such as slavery, the Holocaust, wars or other horrific topics.

Theoharis, who is the chair of the department of teaching and leadership at SU's School of Education, said these activities for heavy emotional or horrific topics is controversial.

"We underestimate the emotional toll these games have on certain students," Theoharis said.

In the game, according to Fernandez's daughter, the slave master had a big stick that he used to hit the floor with. If the slave master caught you, you had to sit in the middle of the gym. Fernandez's daughter, who is black, was caught. She is one of the only black students in the class.

"My child is emotionally upset, distraught and just so afraid to be in trouble by the school officials or treated differently now that she has informed us on all this," Fernandez said.

Fernandez and her husband, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Antonio Fernandez, moved to the area with their six children in October 2015 when Antonio was stationed at Fort Drum. The couple has three children in the North Syracuse school district.

Antonio Fernandez called the Bear Road principal on Friday afternoon. Motala confirmed the conversation on Monday and said he was going to speak to the gym teachers about the game this week.

Motala said the school has played the game for several years and he was surprised to hear that the Fernandez family was upset.

Talisha Fernandez said Monday that she wanted the school to discontinue the use of the game.

"This does not celebrate black history," she said. "I can think of 100 other ways to honor black history. This is insensitive and disrespectful."

Talisha Fernandez said she believes the teachers involved owe all of the students and parents an apology.

"We have great pride in ourselves in understanding who we are," Talisha Fernandez said of her black heritage. "I believe this was the wrong way to go about paying tribute to Black History Month."

Sarah Moses covers the northern suburbs of Onondaga County and Oswego

County. Contact Sarah at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298. Follow @SarahMoses315