Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's official - Omeish is not seeking re-election. The power brokers among the Fairfax Democrats basically sent her a message that she need not bother and, while it's possible she could have prevailed in the endorsement process, she's moving on to other things.

Is she going to run as an Independent?

She should never have been endorsed the first time. She brought out her base and the young kids. FCDC should never have allowed minors to vote.

Anonymous wrote:It's official - Omeish is not seeking re-election. The power brokers among the Fairfax Democrats basically sent her a message that she need not bother and, while it's possible she could have prevailed in the endorsement process, she's moving on to other things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with the reports that McElveen is planning to run again?

Not sure, but he was a very popular school board member and a big booster for the then-underdog schools like Justice and Marshall. (He’s a Marshall grad, back when it’s reputation was not as good at today.) McElveen is intelligent as well, and worked (may still work) at the Brookings Institution.

If he is running, I’d say he’s a shoe-in, but not sure right now if I’d vote for him. I need to know more about his platform.

McEleven was a failutlre on the school board and acted like he onky wanted to be on it so he could be a cool kid with the high school girls.

He was inappropriate and unprofessional.

He should not be reelected to the school board.

Anonymous wrote:It's official - Omeish is not seeking re-election. The power brokers among the Fairfax Democrats basically sent her a message that she need not bother and, while it's possible she could have prevailed in the endorsement process, she's moving on to other things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The right is trying to indoctrinate children. They want to ban books, rewrite history, and take away the ability for teachers to teach.

I send my children to school because I am not a teacher. I want them to learn different things, not just my viewpoint or my interpretation of history. A fact is a fact, those trying to change things, are not doing it for the betterment of our communities. They’re trying to do that to impose their beliefs on everyone else.

+1

I was a teacher. A teacher is a very influential person. I do not want a teacher indoctrinating my child into thinking that he is "privileged" because of his color. I do not want a teacher telling my child that Republicans are stupid--as a FCPS teacher did a few years ago. I do not want a teacher telling my child that he is "privileged" because he is a military brat. I do not want a teacher telling my children that African American kids cannot achieve because of systemic racism. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that gender is a social construct. I do not want a school system that decides to teach FLE with boys and girls together--contrary to the overwhelming wishes of parents, teachers, and students. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that the American Revolution was fought over slavery and that our country was founded in 1619 (Yes, I know Jones walked that back, but that is what she said.) I do not want a school system who pays around $50K to a racial grifter to give a speech to administrators telling thme that they need to push "anti-racism" (which is racist on its face.0

Also, I do not want a SB that defends having a book like Gender Queer in the library. A graphic novel showing sexual acts is inappropriate in our school system. I also do not want a school system that is paying big bucks to law firms to defend policies that got them into trouble.

I also do not want a school system that wants "equity" which they paid $500K to an organization that says "equity" is "equal outcomes." Can they really be that stupid? Where do you ever have equal outcomes. I sing off key--does that mean I should get the lead in the musical? Get to be on Broadway?

This school system is choosing to close the "achievement gap" by pushing the top down. That is troubling.

And, yes, children can be exposed to different opinions--but they also need to be taught facts. I find it troubling that a parent thinks that all teachers know more than they do.

You need to educate yourself. You say a "fact is a fact." What makes you think that is what the kids are being taught? History is the study of events over time and the people, causes, and results that affect those events. Those are facts. But, we are now being told that Nicole Hannah-Jones' version is significant. She is not a historian and her interpretation is flawed. Her theory can be presented, but the facts should also be presented.

The only thing I’ve seen is the issue with closing the achievement gap by lowering standards. That issue goes well beyond FCPS and the SB. You can thank NCLB for starters. But the rest frankly sounds like a bunch of Republican talking points. And frankly for a teacher, you don’t seem to get nuance very well. There’s some major black and white thinking in a lot of your arguments. White people are privileged—-it doesn’t mean they don’t have obstacles. It doesn’t mean they inherently bad. It doesn’t mean they are racists. It just means they do not have to deal with certain issues brown or black people deal with in society. And learning about how systemic racism impacts AAs (who are quite damn aware of it without formal instruction) isn’t saying AA cannot be high achieving. The fact that white peoples get so defensive around this topic illustrates that we are not done talking about race in this country.

Hello, I am white and have nothing to be defensive about. My parents were poor immigrants. They were not “privileged”. Stop already with your racist generalizations about white people. It makes you sound stupid.

Please share exactly where you are experiencing systemic racism.

Even “poor” whites have a level of privilege other races do not. I’m sorry that reality offends you.

That did not answer the question. he/she asked for you to give example of where you experienced racism.

We've all seen and experienced racism. Dr. Reid's hiring is a clear example of white privilege.

So, did you apply for the job? Is that why you think you did not get it because of your race? Otherwise, that is not a good example of how you have experienced racism.

Have you met the woman?

She has been all over the district in various public meetings. She is very accessible.

She is very nice, very non confrontational, and very good at smoothing feathers by being non-committal and keeping a mask on as to her true feelings.

She is also very, very far left.

She was hired to be the soft face of the crazy radical policies of the school board, to be the smokescreen to try to distract parents by her niceness so the parents don't notice what is happening behind the scenes.

If you talk to her about your concerns, any concerns, you will see this.

She will be VERY empathetic, smiling and nodding a bunch. Then she will do nothing and say that she really sympathizes with you but as a superintendent can not really do anything as the school board is in charge. Or the state. Or anyone but her. Then she will smile and nod some more and look empathetic

She does this with parent after parent.

She is basically a figurehead. A very nice, very expensive figure head.

She was not hired for her skin color.

She was not hired for her qualifications.

She was hired for her far left politics and for her personality and demeanor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with the reports that McElveen is planning to run again?

Not sure, but he was a very popular school board member and a big booster for the then-underdog schools like Justice and Marshall. (He’s a Marshall grad, back when it’s reputation was not as good at today.) McElveen is intelligent as well, and worked (may still work) at the Brookings Institution.

If he is running, I’d say he’s a shoe-in, but not sure right now if I’d vote for him. I need to know more about his platform.

In what universe has Marshall ever been an "underdog school"? WTF? McElveen is creepy AF.

Back in the 90s Marshall had a rough reputation when McElveen was a student. It was one of the rougher schools in FCPS, back when schools like Lee (now Lewis) for example were not considered rough. Pimmit Hills had not yet gentrified and a lot of the high-end homes in the parts of Falls Church and Vienna zoned to Marshall had not yet been built. It was also a weak sports school at the time.

Your dates are off. He graduated from Marshall in 2004. But Marshall was in the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of FCPS high schools in the 90s. At one point the enrollment dropped to around 1100 and FCPS toyed with the idea of closing GCM and selling the land.

McElveen would often talk about how Madison HS families looked down on Marshall in not so subtle ways when he was a student. It’s a good thing its reputation rose from the low point of the 90s. The lowest point was that gang affiliated incident there 25 years ago. The school’s catchment area is largely affluent today. And even more than South Lakes, Marshall reversed its fortunes in quite a stunning way. The power of real estate to improve a school’s fortunes can not be understated.

That said, I don’t remember McElveen as a bad school board member. He was embraced by the one fairfax movement and supported the school names changes before others were convinced. He had a keen eye to see where the political winds were blowing so to speak. Might be due to his research at the Brookings Insitute.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The right is trying to indoctrinate children. They want to ban books, rewrite history, and take away the ability for teachers to teach.

I send my children to school because I am not a teacher. I want them to learn different things, not just my viewpoint or my interpretation of history. A fact is a fact, those trying to change things, are not doing it for the betterment of our communities. They’re trying to do that to impose their beliefs on everyone else.

+1

I was a teacher. A teacher is a very influential person. I do not want a teacher indoctrinating my child into thinking that he is "privileged" because of his color. I do not want a teacher telling my child that Republicans are stupid--as a FCPS teacher did a few years ago. I do not want a teacher telling my child that he is "privileged" because he is a military brat. I do not want a teacher telling my children that African American kids cannot achieve because of systemic racism. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that gender is a social construct. I do not want a school system that decides to teach FLE with boys and girls together--contrary to the overwhelming wishes of parents, teachers, and students. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that the American Revolution was fought over slavery and that our country was founded in 1619 (Yes, I know Jones walked that back, but that is what she said.) I do not want a school system who pays around $50K to a racial grifter to give a speech to administrators telling thme that they need to push "anti-racism" (which is racist on its face.0

Also, I do not want a SB that defends having a book like Gender Queer in the library. A graphic novel showing sexual acts is inappropriate in our school system. I also do not want a school system that is paying big bucks to law firms to defend policies that got them into trouble.

I also do not want a school system that wants "equity" which they paid $500K to an organization that says "equity" is "equal outcomes." Can they really be that stupid? Where do you ever have equal outcomes. I sing off key--does that mean I should get the lead in the musical? Get to be on Broadway?

This school system is choosing to close the "achievement gap" by pushing the top down. That is troubling.

And, yes, children can be exposed to different opinions--but they also need to be taught facts. I find it troubling that a parent thinks that all teachers know more than they do.

You need to educate yourself. You say a "fact is a fact." What makes you think that is what the kids are being taught? History is the study of events over time and the people, causes, and results that affect those events. Those are facts. But, we are now being told that Nicole Hannah-Jones' version is significant. She is not a historian and her interpretation is flawed. Her theory can be presented, but the facts should also be presented.

The only thing I’ve seen is the issue with closing the achievement gap by lowering standards. That issue goes well beyond FCPS and the SB. You can thank NCLB for starters. But the rest frankly sounds like a bunch of Republican talking points. And frankly for a teacher, you don’t seem to get nuance very well. There’s some major black and white thinking in a lot of your arguments. White people are privileged—-it doesn’t mean they don’t have obstacles. It doesn’t mean they inherently bad. It doesn’t mean they are racists. It just means they do not have to deal with certain issues brown or black people deal with in society. And learning about how systemic racism impacts AAs (who are quite damn aware of it without formal instruction) isn’t saying AA cannot be high achieving. The fact that white peoples get so defensive around this topic illustrates that we are not done talking about race in this country.

Hello, I am white and have nothing to be defensive about. My parents were poor immigrants. They were not “privileged”. Stop already with your racist generalizations about white people. It makes you sound stupid.

Please share exactly where you are experiencing systemic racism.

Even “poor” whites have a level of privilege other races do not. I’m sorry that reality offends you.

That did not answer the question. he/she asked for you to give example of where you experienced racism.

We've all seen and experienced racism. Dr. Reid's hiring is a clear example of white privilege.

So, did you apply for the job? Is that why you think you did not get it because of your race? Otherwise, that is not a good example of how you have experienced racism.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The right is trying to indoctrinate children. They want to ban books, rewrite history, and take away the ability for teachers to teach.

I send my children to school because I am not a teacher. I want them to learn different things, not just my viewpoint or my interpretation of history. A fact is a fact, those trying to change things, are not doing it for the betterment of our communities. They’re trying to do that to impose their beliefs on everyone else.

+1

I was a teacher. A teacher is a very influential person. I do not want a teacher indoctrinating my child into thinking that he is "privileged" because of his color. I do not want a teacher telling my child that Republicans are stupid--as a FCPS teacher did a few years ago. I do not want a teacher telling my child that he is "privileged" because he is a military brat. I do not want a teacher telling my children that African American kids cannot achieve because of systemic racism. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that gender is a social construct. I do not want a school system that decides to teach FLE with boys and girls together--contrary to the overwhelming wishes of parents, teachers, and students. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that the American Revolution was fought over slavery and that our country was founded in 1619 (Yes, I know Jones walked that back, but that is what she said.) I do not want a school system who pays around $50K to a racial grifter to give a speech to administrators telling thme that they need to push "anti-racism" (which is racist on its face.0

Also, I do not want a SB that defends having a book like Gender Queer in the library. A graphic novel showing sexual acts is inappropriate in our school system. I also do not want a school system that is paying big bucks to law firms to defend policies that got them into trouble.

I also do not want a school system that wants "equity" which they paid $500K to an organization that says "equity" is "equal outcomes." Can they really be that stupid? Where do you ever have equal outcomes. I sing off key--does that mean I should get the lead in the musical? Get to be on Broadway?

This school system is choosing to close the "achievement gap" by pushing the top down. That is troubling.

And, yes, children can be exposed to different opinions--but they also need to be taught facts. I find it troubling that a parent thinks that all teachers know more than they do.

You need to educate yourself. You say a "fact is a fact." What makes you think that is what the kids are being taught? History is the study of events over time and the people, causes, and results that affect those events. Those are facts. But, we are now being told that Nicole Hannah-Jones' version is significant. She is not a historian and her interpretation is flawed. Her theory can be presented, but the facts should also be presented.

The only thing I’ve seen is the issue with closing the achievement gap by lowering standards. That issue goes well beyond FCPS and the SB. You can thank NCLB for starters. But the rest frankly sounds like a bunch of Republican talking points. And frankly for a teacher, you don’t seem to get nuance very well. There’s some major black and white thinking in a lot of your arguments. White people are privileged—-it doesn’t mean they don’t have obstacles. It doesn’t mean they inherently bad. It doesn’t mean they are racists. It just means they do not have to deal with certain issues brown or black people deal with in society. And learning about how systemic racism impacts AAs (who are quite damn aware of it without formal instruction) isn’t saying AA cannot be high achieving. The fact that white peoples get so defensive around this topic illustrates that we are not done talking about race in this country.

NCLB was basically a re-up of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 with a few changes (mainly in testing requirements) and has since been redone again and called the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015.

https://www.wrightslaw.com/nclb/news/05/history.ravich.links.htm

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with the reports that McElveen is planning to run again?

Not sure, but he was a very popular school board member and a big booster for the then-underdog schools like Justice and Marshall. (He’s a Marshall grad, back when it’s reputation was not as good at today.) McElveen is intelligent as well, and worked (may still work) at the Brookings Institution.

If he is running, I’d say he’s a shoe-in, but not sure right now if I’d vote for him. I need to know more about his platform.

In what universe has Marshall ever been an "underdog school"? WTF? McElveen is creepy AF.

Back in the 90s Marshall had a rough reputation when McElveen was a student. It was one of the rougher schools in FCPS, back when schools like Lee (now Lewis) for example were not considered rough. Pimmit Hills had not yet gentrified and a lot of the high-end homes in the parts of Falls Church and Vienna zoned to Marshall had not yet been built. It was also a weak sports school at the time.

Your dates are off. He graduated from Marshall in 2004. But Marshall was in the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of FCPS high schools in the 90s. At one point the enrollment dropped to around 1100 and FCPS toyed with the idea of closing GCM and selling the land.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The right is trying to indoctrinate children. They want to ban books, rewrite history, and take away the ability for teachers to teach.

I send my children to school because I am not a teacher. I want them to learn different things, not just my viewpoint or my interpretation of history. A fact is a fact, those trying to change things, are not doing it for the betterment of our communities. They’re trying to do that to impose their beliefs on everyone else.

+1

I was a teacher. A teacher is a very influential person. I do not want a teacher indoctrinating my child into thinking that he is "privileged" because of his color. I do not want a teacher telling my child that Republicans are stupid--as a FCPS teacher did a few years ago. I do not want a teacher telling my child that he is "privileged" because he is a military brat. I do not want a teacher telling my children that African American kids cannot achieve because of systemic racism. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that gender is a social construct. I do not want a school system that decides to teach FLE with boys and girls together--contrary to the overwhelming wishes of parents, teachers, and students. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that the American Revolution was fought over slavery and that our country was founded in 1619 (Yes, I know Jones walked that back, but that is what she said.) I do not want a school system who pays around $50K to a racial grifter to give a speech to administrators telling thme that they need to push "anti-racism" (which is racist on its face.0

Also, I do not want a SB that defends having a book like Gender Queer in the library. A graphic novel showing sexual acts is inappropriate in our school system. I also do not want a school system that is paying big bucks to law firms to defend policies that got them into trouble.

I also do not want a school system that wants "equity" which they paid $500K to an organization that says "equity" is "equal outcomes." Can they really be that stupid? Where do you ever have equal outcomes. I sing off key--does that mean I should get the lead in the musical? Get to be on Broadway?

This school system is choosing to close the "achievement gap" by pushing the top down. That is troubling.

And, yes, children can be exposed to different opinions--but they also need to be taught facts. I find it troubling that a parent thinks that all teachers know more than they do.

You need to educate yourself. You say a "fact is a fact." What makes you think that is what the kids are being taught? History is the study of events over time and the people, causes, and results that affect those events. Those are facts. But, we are now being told that Nicole Hannah-Jones' version is significant. She is not a historian and her interpretation is flawed. Her theory can be presented, but the facts should also be presented.

The only thing I’ve seen is the issue with closing the achievement gap by lowering standards. That issue goes well beyond FCPS and the SB. You can thank NCLB for starters. But the rest frankly sounds like a bunch of Republican talking points. And frankly for a teacher, you don’t seem to get nuance very well. There’s some major black and white thinking in a lot of your arguments. White people are privileged—-it doesn’t mean they don’t have obstacles. It doesn’t mean they inherently bad. It doesn’t mean they are racists. It just means they do not have to deal with certain issues brown or black people deal with in society. And learning about how systemic racism impacts AAs (who are quite damn aware of it without formal instruction) isn’t saying AA cannot be high achieving. The fact that white peoples get so defensive around this topic illustrates that we are not done talking about race in this country.

Hello, I am white and have nothing to be defensive about. My parents were poor immigrants. They were not “privileged”. Stop already with your racist generalizations about white people. It makes you sound stupid.

Please share exactly where you are experiencing systemic racism.

Even “poor” whites have a level of privilege other races do not. I’m sorry that reality offends you.

That did not answer the question. he/she asked for you to give example of where you experienced racism.

We've all seen and experienced racism. Dr. Reid's hiring is a clear example of white privilege.

So, did you apply for the job? Is that why you think you did not get it because of your race? Otherwise, that is not a good example of how you have experienced racism.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The right is trying to indoctrinate children. They want to ban books, rewrite history, and take away the ability for teachers to teach.

I send my children to school because I am not a teacher. I want them to learn different things, not just my viewpoint or my interpretation of history. A fact is a fact, those trying to change things, are not doing it for the betterment of our communities. They’re trying to do that to impose their beliefs on everyone else.

+1

I was a teacher. A teacher is a very influential person. I do not want a teacher indoctrinating my child into thinking that he is "privileged" because of his color. I do not want a teacher telling my child that Republicans are stupid--as a FCPS teacher did a few years ago. I do not want a teacher telling my child that he is "privileged" because he is a military brat. I do not want a teacher telling my children that African American kids cannot achieve because of systemic racism. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that gender is a social construct. I do not want a school system that decides to teach FLE with boys and girls together--contrary to the overwhelming wishes of parents, teachers, and students. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that the American Revolution was fought over slavery and that our country was founded in 1619 (Yes, I know Jones walked that back, but that is what she said.) I do not want a school system who pays around $50K to a racial grifter to give a speech to administrators telling thme that they need to push "anti-racism" (which is racist on its face.0

Also, I do not want a SB that defends having a book like Gender Queer in the library. A graphic novel showing sexual acts is inappropriate in our school system. I also do not want a school system that is paying big bucks to law firms to defend policies that got them into trouble.

I also do not want a school system that wants "equity" which they paid $500K to an organization that says "equity" is "equal outcomes." Can they really be that stupid? Where do you ever have equal outcomes. I sing off key--does that mean I should get the lead in the musical? Get to be on Broadway?

This school system is choosing to close the "achievement gap" by pushing the top down. That is troubling.

And, yes, children can be exposed to different opinions--but they also need to be taught facts. I find it troubling that a parent thinks that all teachers know more than they do.

You need to educate yourself. You say a "fact is a fact." What makes you think that is what the kids are being taught? History is the study of events over time and the people, causes, and results that affect those events. Those are facts. But, we are now being told that Nicole Hannah-Jones' version is significant. She is not a historian and her interpretation is flawed. Her theory can be presented, but the facts should also be presented.

The only thing I’ve seen is the issue with closing the achievement gap by lowering standards. That issue goes well beyond FCPS and the SB. You can thank NCLB for starters. But the rest frankly sounds like a bunch of Republican talking points. And frankly for a teacher, you don’t seem to get nuance very well. There’s some major black and white thinking in a lot of your arguments. White people are privileged—-it doesn’t mean they don’t have obstacles. It doesn’t mean they inherently bad. It doesn’t mean they are racists. It just means they do not have to deal with certain issues brown or black people deal with in society. And learning about how systemic racism impacts AAs (who are quite damn aware of it without formal instruction) isn’t saying AA cannot be high achieving. The fact that white peoples get so defensive around this topic illustrates that we are not done talking about race in this country.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, now that Pekarsky is running for Senate --I have a question.

She claims to be an immigrant in one place, a first generation immigrant in another, and a first generation American in a third.

Is she a "transimmigrant?"

She’s lame. Did nothing for overcrowded Chantilly. Why does she think she’s better than Barker?

There was an article about how NoVA is losing so many experienced legislators and top committee assignments in the General Assembly and Barker is one of the few left. I hope he wins the primary because Pekarsky does not know enough to help keep NoVA’s interests protected in the GA.

Agree, and Stella couldn’t even protect the interests of schools in her district when serving on a school board composed entirely of other Democrats. She’s unqualified and undistinguished.

+1

I still don't understand why she has "immigrant' on her website. Does she not understand that if you are a first generation American (born here) that you are not an immigrant?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the deal with the reports that McElveen is planning to run again?

Not sure, but he was a very popular school board member and a big booster for the then-underdog schools like Justice and Marshall. (He’s a Marshall grad, back when it’s reputation was not as good at today.) McElveen is intelligent as well, and worked (may still work) at the Brookings Institution.

If he is running, I’d say he’s a shoe-in, but not sure right now if I’d vote for him. I need to know more about his platform.

In what universe has Marshall ever been an "underdog school"? WTF? McElveen is creepy AF.

Back in the 90s Marshall had a rough reputation when McElveen was a student. It was one of the rougher schools in FCPS, back when schools like Lee (now Lewis) for example were not considered rough. Pimmit Hills had not yet gentrified and a lot of the high-end homes in the parts of Falls Church and Vienna zoned to Marshall had not yet been built. It was also a weak sports school at the time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The right is trying to indoctrinate children. They want to ban books, rewrite history, and take away the ability for teachers to teach.

I send my children to school because I am not a teacher. I want them to learn different things, not just my viewpoint or my interpretation of history. A fact is a fact, those trying to change things, are not doing it for the betterment of our communities. They’re trying to do that to impose their beliefs on everyone else.

+1

I was a teacher. A teacher is a very influential person. I do not want a teacher indoctrinating my child into thinking that he is "privileged" because of his color. I do not want a teacher telling my child that Republicans are stupid--as a FCPS teacher did a few years ago. I do not want a teacher telling my child that he is "privileged" because he is a military brat. I do not want a teacher telling my children that African American kids cannot achieve because of systemic racism. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that gender is a social construct. I do not want a school system that decides to teach FLE with boys and girls together--contrary to the overwhelming wishes of parents, teachers, and students. I do not want a teacher teaching my children that the American Revolution was fought over slavery and that our country was founded in 1619 (Yes, I know Jones walked that back, but that is what she said.) I do not want a school system who pays around $50K to a racial grifter to give a speech to administrators telling thme that they need to push "anti-racism" (which is racist on its face.0

Also, I do not want a SB that defends having a book like Gender Queer in the library. A graphic novel showing sexual acts is inappropriate in our school system. I also do not want a school system that is paying big bucks to law firms to defend policies that got them into trouble.

I also do not want a school system that wants "equity" which they paid $500K to an organization that says "equity" is "equal outcomes." Can they really be that stupid? Where do you ever have equal outcomes. I sing off key--does that mean I should get the lead in the musical? Get to be on Broadway?

This school system is choosing to close the "achievement gap" by pushing the top down. That is troubling.

And, yes, children can be exposed to different opinions--but they also need to be taught facts. I find it troubling that a parent thinks that all teachers know more than they do.

You need to educate yourself. You say a "fact is a fact." What makes you think that is what the kids are being taught? History is the study of events over time and the people, causes, and results that affect those events. Those are facts. But, we are now being told that Nicole Hannah-Jones' version is significant. She is not a historian and her interpretation is flawed. Her theory can be presented, but the facts should also be presented.

The only thing I’ve seen is the issue with closing the achievement gap by lowering standards. That issue goes well beyond FCPS and the SB. You can thank NCLB for starters. But the rest frankly sounds like a bunch of Republican talking points. And frankly for a teacher, you don’t seem to get nuance very well. There’s some major black and white thinking in a lot of your arguments. White people are privileged—-it doesn’t mean they don’t have obstacles. It doesn’t mean they inherently bad. It doesn’t mean they are racists. It just means they do not have to deal with certain issues brown or black people deal with in society. And learning about how systemic racism impacts AAs (who are quite damn aware of it without formal instruction) isn’t saying AA cannot be high achieving. The fact that white peoples get so defensive around this topic illustrates that we are not done talking about race in this country.