MCPS elementary school principals signed an internal memo expressing concerns about LGBTQ curriculum last November

[Anonymous]

Tomorrow there will be a press conference.

Interestingly, there was a reply to the tweet from the MCPS LGBTQ account claiming the memo is already available publicly and they shared an image. But very quickly after that, they deleted the tweet.

Here's the press release. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-to-release-internal-memo-to-maryland-school-district-showing-principals-raised-numerous-objections-to-new-curriculum/

From the press release:

Elementary school principals wrote that a classroom guide was “dismissive of religious beliefs” because it instructed teachers to push back on students who expressed religious objections to certain sexual relationships.

Principals expressed concern that the classroom discussion guide instructed teachers to make a “shaming comment to a child” and to tell students they should not express their belief that someone cannot change their sex.

Principals also wrote that content in some of the books was inappropriate, specifically noting language in a book meant for Pre-K students that would teach students how to identify a “drag queen.”

The elementary school principals raised various other concerns about the school district’s conduct and stances, writing:

“Beginning [when] the materials arrived in schools this summer without clear communication, the communication around the materials and messaging has been wrought with confusion.”
“Numerous concerns have been raised by principals, teachers, and community members that the content of the books does not align with the stated messages. There are concerns that the plot of some of the books center around sexual orientation and gender identity. There are concerns that some of the books are not appropriate for the intended age group, or in one case, not appropriate at all for young students.”
“…it has been communicated that MCPS is not teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity as stand alone concepts in elementary school. However, several of the books and supporting documents seemingly contradict this message.
“…given the sensitive nature of the materials, there needs to be a more robust, inclusive, public-facing process that includes deliberate attempts to include administrators, teachers, and parents as stakeholders. It is especially important to include communities that represent various perspectives across Montgomery County.
“Some teachers have shared their discomfort about the content, the terminology, and the appropriateness of the books developmentally as well as from a sexual education perspective. For example, family life isn’t taught until fifth grade, but a second grade book uses terminology such as cisgender or transgender.”
“MCPS has stated publicly that there is no option to opt-out, with the rationale that MCPS is simply providing books about inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and inclusivity. However, due to the concerns shared earlier about the plot and nature of the books, this creates a significant concern by some parents about ‘indoctrination’ or ‘hidden agendas.’ “

[Anonymous]

I'm a European centrist (meaning, more to the left than most US Democrats), but I find this entire "inclusion" push surprisingly useless in MCPS. Why can't we stick to a general message that just because someone looks different, it's not a reason for bullying or teasing? That slurs such as "gay" or "homo" are never appropriate? Why can't schools focus on teaching academics, instead of wasting everyone's time with assemblies and feel-good sessions, like my kids keep having in their middle and high schools? At this point, they identify the wellbeing blocks on the calendar and tell me those are the days they'd rather finish their homework at home. It never crossed their mind to be mean to LGBTQ+ kids (or Jews, or African-Americans, or anyone else). They don't like to be hit over the head with it regularly.

[Anonymous]

This should have been opt in, not opt out.

[Anonymous]

IMO, the progressives in MoCo are pushing more people to the right. This really should not be a hill that they want to die on.

ITA with the Principals. This is not something that ES kids need to be taught about.

[Anonymous]

So refreshing to see that principals and teachers pushed back. I am sure there were more that wanted to, but who afraid of being called a transphobe. It is really a problem in public education these days.

[Anonymous]

There is no way MCPS published curriculum with instructions to “make a shaming comment” to a child. Either someone internal to the school put their own spin into instructions, or the principals are reframing.

Regardless of how these religious groups try to spin this, MCPS isn’t trying to indoctrinate elementary kids regarding LGBTQ topics. They are trying to give them context about the other kids sitting next to them in the classroom, because they sure aren’t learning about it at home.

Like it or not, in public school in MCPS there will be children of every possible diversity in the classrooms, including children who are transgender and who have family members in the LGBTQ community.

[Anonymous]

Holy crap. CAIR is on it and they're uncovering the rot and corruption in MCPS. There's clearly a powerful group within MCPS who has an agenda and they refuse to be deterred, even when their co-workers and parent community tell them they have concerns and feedback on what they're pushing.

I have a feeling this won't end in MCPS's favor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no way MCPS published curriculum with instructions to “make a shaming comment” to a child. Either someone internal to the school put their own spin into instructions, or the principals are reframing.

Regardless of how these religious groups try to spin this, MCPS isn’t trying to indoctrinate elementary kids regarding LGBTQ topics. They are trying to give them context about the other kids sitting next to them in the classroom, because they sure aren’t learning about it at home.

Like it or not, in public school in MCPS there will be children of every possible diversity in the classrooms, including children who are transgender and who have family members in the LGBTQ community.

Yep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no way MCPS published curriculum with instructions to “make a shaming comment” to a child. Either someone internal to the school put their own spin into instructions, or the principals are reframing.

Regardless of how these religious groups try to spin this, MCPS isn’t trying to indoctrinate elementary kids regarding LGBTQ topics. They are trying to give them context about the other kids sitting next to them in the classroom, because they sure aren’t learning about it at home.

Like it or not, in public school in MCPS there will be children of every possible diversity in the classrooms, including children who are transgender and who have family members in the LGBTQ community.

Even if they didn't use that actual phrase, the fact that it was interpreted that way is problematic.

[Anonymous]

" For example, family life isn’t taught until fifth grade,"?! That's just factually incorrect. Here's the kindergarten curriculum, for example: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/health/elementary/kindergarten/familylife

Plus THIS IS THE ELA CURRICULUM. Are there books in the ELA curriculum that portray non-LGBTQ people or families? Yes, there are. So that must be inappropriate too, right? Should I demand to be notified, and have my child opt out, whenever there's a book with non-LGBTQ people or families?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no way MCPS published curriculum with instructions to “make a shaming comment” to a child. Either someone internal to the school put their own spin into instructions, or the principals are reframing.

Regardless of how these religious groups try to spin this, MCPS isn’t trying to indoctrinate elementary kids regarding LGBTQ topics. They are trying to give them context about the other kids sitting next to them in the classroom, because they sure aren’t learning about it at home.

Like it or not, in public school in MCPS there will be children of every possible diversity in the classrooms, including children who are transgender and who have family members in the LGBTQ community.

Even if they didn't use that actual phrase, the fact that it was interpreted that way is problematic.

Yes, you're right, it is problematic if the teachers interpreted it that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no way MCPS published curriculum with instructions to “make a shaming comment” to a child. Either someone internal to the school put their own spin into instructions, or the principals are reframing.

Regardless of how these religious groups try to spin this, MCPS isn’t trying to indoctrinate elementary kids regarding LGBTQ topics. They are trying to give them context about the other kids sitting next to them in the classroom, because they sure aren’t learning about it at home.

Like it or not, in public school in MCPS there will be children of every possible diversity in the classrooms, including children who are transgender and who have family members in the LGBTQ community.

By forcing ES kids to read about cisgender vs transgender they are indeed indoctrinating ES kids on LGBTQ+ topics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no way MCPS published curriculum with instructions to “make a shaming comment” to a child. Either someone internal to the school put their own spin into instructions, or the principals are reframing.

Regardless of how these religious groups try to spin this, MCPS isn’t trying to indoctrinate elementary kids regarding LGBTQ topics. They are trying to give them context about the other kids sitting next to them in the classroom, because they sure aren’t learning about it at home.

Like it or not, in public school in MCPS there will be children of every possible diversity in the classrooms, including children who are transgender and who have family members in the LGBTQ community.

Yep.

What percent of elementary school students are trans? Gay? I mean, do elementary school students even have a concept of sexual orientation? It is probably such a small percentage that it doesn't warrant such a disruption in the curriculum. The amount of energy being spent on this is over the top.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:" For example, family life isn’t taught until fifth grade,"?! That's just factually incorrect. Here's the kindergarten curriculum, for example: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/health/elementary/kindergarten/familylife

Plus THIS IS THE ELA CURRICULUM. Are there books in the ELA curriculum that portray non-LGBTQ people or families? Yes, there are. So that must be inappropriate too, right? Should I demand to be notified, and have my child opt out, whenever there's a book with non-LGBTQ people or families?

A Boy Named Penelope, which is one of the books that's causing a lot of the pushback, is not a book that merely mentions an LGBTQ person. It is a book that centers and normalizes a theory of gender identity that is CONTROVERSIAL, as the whole premise and plot of the book is that a little girl named Penelope wakes up one day and feels like she is a boy and then is affirmed and enabled by all the adults around her.

Many parents disagree with this premise and with the objective and teaching their children that such as a drastic identity shift should be widely accepted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IMO, the progressives in MoCo are pushing more people to the right. This really should not be a hill that they want to die on.

ITA with the Principals. This is not something that ES kids need to be taught about.

What are all of the books in the ELA curriculum with cis/het characters and straight families teaching ES kids about?