We’re back at the subject of protesting parents, from last week, complaining school crossed the line by introducing ‘inclusive’ material.
(They watched a new Disney animated movie “Strange World,” in which the family has a gay son. It’s the story of three generations learning to be OK with everyone charting their own course.)
This letter was brought to my attention, written by an educator, it moved me, and I hope it moves you:
We heard from a very concerned group of parents, this week. No matter how much I try, I cannot seem to understand how – according to their point of view – school crossed a drastic line.
Just to shed light for those who don’t know: We cross the line all day, every day.
When a child comes to school without food, we give them something to eat.
We supply school uniforms and materials when needed.
We come to kids’ aid, when we care for bruises which they did not get at school.
We cut their nails, sometimes as long as a car mechanic’s.
We check them for lice and comb hair, which hasn’t been combed in days.
We buy, then bring supplies from home, to be prepared for any crisis.
We attend phone calls and respond to emails after working hours, we go to meetings at Respaldo, the mental health foundation.
We meet with speech therapists and a never-ending list of other remedial therapists.
We leave our children waiting at their school to accompany other kids sometimes until late in the afternoon because for some reason their parents are late picking them up on time, again.
We listen to stories that kids do not dare to share at home, we know about fights, divorces, drinking problems, police visits, mothers who get beaten, fathers who do not come home at night. We counsel, wipe tears, console, dispense advice and guidance and we look for solutions. We also keep a watchful eye on homes – better than the FBI — to make sure nothing strange is happening. We investigate, we forward complaints, and follow up.
And you want to say that our only job is to only ‘give classes?’
What would happen if we stopped all our extra-curricular activities?? Which for many kids are the only form of support they get?
Which role would you like us to play in the life of the child, and in many cases, in the life of entire families?
Whether parents want to accept it or not, kids already know that there is a male and a female, that there is a hetero- and homosexual, as well. And, that every person is different, that there is not only one type of family, in existence. We do NOT try to convert, promote, encourage or applaud homosexuality. It would be rather sad if school would try to shield kids from reality.
I would want to assume that every concerned parent knows what happens at school. Because, as a responsible parent they are supposed to converse regularly with the teacher, help their kids with homework, ask what they have learned that day, remain involved with the school, remedial activities, teacher-parent conferences, and report cards.
As a concerned parent you would have a good relationship with your child, discuss topics, over the dinner table, that you find necessary to discuss.
BUT if as a parent, this is not the case, don’t be shy, cross that line one more time and go talk to the teacher. The teacher will guide you, how to strengthen the communication between you and your child so that you may not live in fear that school curriculum overrides the principles that you raise your child with, at home.
