MCPS Rule on Parents Attending Sex-Ed Classes
There has been some confusion about the MCPS policy regarding letting parents "sit in" on sex-ed classes. Yesterday The Times reported that parents would not be allowed to attend the classes. (Link: Parents can't sit in on sex-ed classes) Bloggers and opinionators on the extreme righthand side of the aisle went wild over that one, chanting "What are you trying to hide?"
Today's Times has a different story. They say that the school district changed their minds, but the district says there was a misunderstanding. Either way, it turns out that parents can attend the classes -- but they can only attend their own kids' classes.
The irony here comes in several layers. First of all, you have to actually be the parent of an MCPS student to attend the sex-ed classes and monitor what's going on -- and the Ex-Recall group is not made up mostly of public school parents. Secondly, and most delicious -- if they opt their children out of the curriculum, as they promise to do, they'll never get to see what secret mysteries are taught behind the closed doors of those classrooms! Mwahahaha! They'll just hate that!
Well, hey, I've got an idea. They can burn up even more taxpayers' dollars by filing another lawsuit, so they can attend any class they want, whenever they want, to make sure the rest of us live up to a sufficiently high moral standard.
Today's Times has a different story. They say that the school district changed their minds, but the district says there was a misunderstanding. Either way, it turns out that parents can attend the classes -- but they can only attend their own kids' classes.
Montgomery County Public Schools spokesman said yesterday that the district will not bar parents from sitting in on a sex-ed course that begins this week, and that they never intended to.
"Parents of kids in those classes will be allowed [in]," said spokesman Brian Edwards, contradicting statements he made days before to The Washington Times.
In a phone interview Friday, Mr. Edwards, who has been with the school district since November, said "no" when asked whether parents would be allowed to audit the sex-ed classes. Schools reverse sex-ed policy.
The irony here comes in several layers. First of all, you have to actually be the parent of an MCPS student to attend the sex-ed classes and monitor what's going on -- and the Ex-Recall group is not made up mostly of public school parents. Secondly, and most delicious -- if they opt their children out of the curriculum, as they promise to do, they'll never get to see what secret mysteries are taught behind the closed doors of those classrooms! Mwahahaha! They'll just hate that!
Well, hey, I've got an idea. They can burn up even more taxpayers' dollars by filing another lawsuit, so they can attend any class they want, whenever they want, to make sure the rest of us live up to a sufficiently high moral standard.
posted by JimK at 1:23 PM
17 Comments:
Sounds like a plan to me Jim.
Golly. You don't suppose a concerned parent might want to see what's in the class BEFORE deciding to opt in or out, do you?
They can read all the content and meet with the health teachers if they have questions. At the health presentations, you can ask anything you want, and they'll show you all the materials they have. I know, I went to it, with some other parents. Some of the others were quite concerned, but the presentation settled their minds.
Wasting Money?
Our taxpayers dollars are being wasted on teaching this nonsense to our children first of all. I disagree with this. I say we could save money here... getting rid of this program. Let the parents handle the teaching of sex to their children to what ever extent they wish. The school board or our education system for that matter has no right or place to teach homosexuality, sexual identity, religion, or anything of this sort to our kids. It is not their place! Criticize the parents all you want for those who wish to remove their children from these programs... they are actually the only ones that needs to be commended for doing what's right. If you choose for your child to follow the "mainstream" in indoctrinating your child with all of the sexual images, teachings of homosexuality and gender identity... so beit. Do it on your own time. I pay taxes... I don't want this in the classrooms. If you/the boe/our education system cannot give the kids the whole truth and nothing but the truth.... leave it out!!!!! The curriculum is very biased... if you can't see this... I don't know what will prove this to you. Again, teach this in your own home, to your own child/ren. You shouldn't be using my tax payer dollars for this... I won't have it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MCPS Parent
Hmm, you won't have it? Luckily it's not up to you. Sex-ed has been in the classroom since I was the kid, when we were building Stonehenge. Sexually transmitted diseases are an epidemic in the US, and people need to know how to prevent them. Teen pregnancy is out of control, and teens need to know how to control it. Anti-homosexual violence is on the increase, and anti-American religious groups are fanning the flames of bigotry and must be undermined. Most of us in this county are in favor of teaching our teenagers the facts about sexual behavior, including orientation. (There's no religious teaching.)
And remember, you and I might teach our kids (or in your case, grandchildren) about sex, but not everybody does. Most people don't. And this isn't just about my kids, or your grandchildren, it's about our society as a whole.
You're damn straight about that Jim! How can we ever get same sex marriage approved if we don't change society -- and the ONLY way is to get into those schools and indoctrinate those kids. I know me and my partner can't wait. Go GLSEN!
Anon, you seem to see a broad conspiracy behind this. Are you a member of GLSEN, or why did you bring them up?
Well, no I am not a member per se. But many of my friends are and I have read about Jennings and he is brilliant. The schools are the way to go. Get in early -- I totally agree. Actually, kindergarten is best.
Anon, a casual reader would think you were implying that GLSEN is involved in decisions regarding the MCPS sex-education curriculum. Would you like to state what you believe, or can you go beyond innuendo? C'mon, spit it out. Tell us -- what do you believe GLSEN's role in this is? Don't be coy. If you've got something to say -- and you seem to think you do -- then say it.
Who's surprised that Anon will only imply stuff, won't say it straight?
If you don't think that GLSEN has influence in the NEA and locally, well -- you are not doing your homework. Of course they do! And thank god too.
What do you think they have to do with the MCPS sex-ed curriculum?
Oh, cmon, Anon - you are not fooling anyone- you are not gay and you are saying this stuff as if you think anyone believes it.
And Anon- maybe Second Anon- By the way,I think parents have the right to opt out and to teach or not teach your child anything you want or don't want- just don't stop MCPs from teaching my kids. Pat yourself on the back- take your kids out of MCPs all together(if they are actually there)- that is your right. Your note makes it pretty clear where you stand- and if you think being gay is dangerous and evil- hey, better get those kids out of our schools-cause there are gay kids, gay parents and gay teachers.
Thanks Anon for speaking the truth here. You know who's behind the teaching of this curriuculum.... it's all there. Like you said Anon... Jim K do your homework!!!! I believe Jim K knows that homosexual organizations are directly influencing our curriculum. For goodness sakes... look at the teacher resources... GLSEN, and all the other pro homosexual organizations are the only resources that teachers are really referencing. If you don't believe this is so... give me a few resources that isn't backed by a homosexual org. I'd sure like to see you come up with something.
And if anyone doesn't see a problem with teachers resources leaning heavily on the homosexual agenda's side... I don't know what to tell you except for... you're really, really sad.... whatever happened to being fair and balanced?
Jim K, I believe you are totally behind indoctrinating our kids with misinformation on all fronts, regarding homosexuality and it's teachings, unsafe sexual practices in telling kids false information about condoms, the list goes on and on.... JIM K... GET REAL! GET IT RIGHT!!!!
Mrs. Lopez
Montgomery County Taxpaying Citizen and Parent
Woo hoo, you guys are somethin' else!
Listen, the curriculum presents facts objectively. It makes sense to reasonable people. It's thorough, it's informative, it's accurate, and our kids deserve it.
So what if GLSEN wants gay people to be treated fairly and shown the respect that the rest of us get -- does that automatically mean you have to do the opposite? Geez, does AARP inspire you to beat up old people?
So what if GLSEN advocates for gay people -- imagine what would happen if nobody did, with bright folks like you guys running around. Just imagine. Gay people need somebody like GLSEN because of you.
There's no conspiracy. It's not a cosmic battle of Good Versus Evil. It's a health class. Get over it.
There are gay people. Some gay people have families. Some teens have sex -- it's not a good idea, but they do it. Get over it.
I'm sorry, but your bigoted nonsense simply cannot be permitted to affect policy in our county.
There are CDC resources- are you suggesting that the Federal Government is gay? don't let George W. Bush here you say that!
Well, let's see here. I've got the curriculum changes right here...
Sources include "Journal of School Health," the Education Materials Center of Central Michigan University, the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Journal of Health Education," American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, Advocates for Youth, the National Network for Family Resiliency, Massachusetts State Department of Education, the National Association of School Psychologists, National Mental Health Association, and "the Prevention Researcher."
Which of these are you classifying as "pro-homosexual organizations?"
This material is all available from the BOE. They've put it all on-line. They have the full citations so you can go and read the actual resource material if you want to. They've made this whole process as transparent as a freshly-washed window and as inclusive as my mother's "left-overs soup." Go ahead and read it yourself, and don't let someone else tell you what's there or what to think about it.
Post a Comment
<< Home