Some South Jersey Parents Upset About Award-Winning Diversity Video Being Shown In School

Some parents in a South Jersey school district are upset that 3rd graders were shown an award winning diversity video about families - that includes same-sex couples in the story.

The Evesham school district - along with several others around the State - is using a video, called "That's a Family" in their health classes.

John Zlock, a spokesman for the Jersey Department of Education, says each district makes its own decision about whether or not to use the video, but the States core curriculum content standards require "as early as grade 2, that children should be able to identify different kinds of families, and explain that families may differ for many reasons."

He says "it's important for children to learn just how diverse a family can be…and we all know that living in New Jersey, it's a very diverse State, and children should be able to have those discussions."

Steven Goldstein, the Chairman of the group Garden State Equality, says he's shocked that anyone would have a problem with this video, because it has won several awards and "it was shown at the White House in 2000- before educators and child advocates from across the country who praised the film."

He adds if people don't feel comfortable with having their kids see That's a Family, "maybe New Jersey is not the right place for them."

Update:

http://www.nj1015.com/absolutenm/templates/?a=5756&z=1
Parents Spar Over Diversity Video
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - Millennium Radio New Jersey
A video that's being billed as a way to teach diversity to kids is dividing the Evesham school district. At last night's school board meeting, officials heard from parents for and against the film "That's a Family!," which shows same-sex couples raising their children.

Several parents say it's important that third graders learn about all the different kinds of people that live in New Jersey. "The school board was bullied by intolerant people to remove this video," said Louise Ribelo of Evesham. Another woman who raises two children with her life-partner told officials that she wants to make sure her kids are safe when they go to school.

But numerous parents say the school board went too far by approving the use of the video. "Don't use teaching tolerance as an opportunity to squeeze in specific lifestyles and issues," said Evesham resident Drew Vicitti. Another parent says there is no necessity to engage third graders in sexuality.

Proponents and opponents of the video were both greeted with cheers as they made their cases. The school board has temporarily suspended the use of the video as a panel discusses whether the film is appropriate for young students.

http://www.americansfortruth.com/

Deerfield High School: Why Can’t a Parent Observe Freshman Orientation?
March 2nd, 2007

Special Event!

Culture Campaign hosts God, Sex, and the Culture War

featuring Peter LaBarbera, Lora Sue Hauser, and Lori Higgins

The Gay Agenda: No Child Left Behind…

Sunday, Mar 11, at 7:15 pm

at College Church in Wheaton, IL

From our good friends at Culture Campaign and North Shore Student Advocacy, originally published Feb 19, 2007:

A recent letter to the editor [.PDF] in the Thursday, Feb. 15 issue of Deerfield Review reveals a troubling agenda at Deerfield High School. A parent was denied permission for a one-time visit to observe a class called Freshman Advisory. She had become concerned about the content of the class after her daughter was mocked, called ‘anti-semitic’ and ‘homophobic’ for openly disagreeing with the pro-homosexual message presented. Student members of the Straight and Gay Alliance (SAGA) drew pictures of her with devil horns on her head…

Here is the letter in its entirety:

Parent Denied Class Visit

I have seven children who have either attended or are currently attending Deerfield High School. As a parent, I have the right to know what they are teaching my kids, how they are teaching my kids, and why they are teaching my kids certain information. I recently asked for the first time to visit a class to hear what they are teaching in Freshman Advisory.

I was surprised to receive a letter informing me that I would not be allowed to visit. They told me that they would send me a taped copy of the class.

First, how would I know if the tape had been edited? Second, I am an adult, I pay taxes for my kids to attend this school, and I should be able to sit in on one class to see what they are teaching my fourteen-year-old.

I have instilled morals and values in my kids, and I believe that some at DHS are trying to change my child’s beliefs to conform to theirs.

Tolerance is one of the values that I have instilled in my kids, but it is clear that tolerance is not a value shared by the Straight and Gay Alliance (SAGA) at DHS. I was shocked to learn that when one of my children openly disagreed with SAGA’s position on homosexuality, she was called anti-Semitic and homophobic. In addition, certain individuals in SAGA drew pictures of my daughter with devil horns on her head.

Shockingly, none of this was solved, and no one was punished for these intolerant and distasteful acts. I feel certain that if the tables were turned, my daughter would have been punished. Intolerance is clearly an issue at DHS. Unfortunately it is those with a non-traditional agenda who are the intolerant ones. Some students and certain staff members make it uncomfortable for more conservative students to disagree with the belief that homosexual behavior is moral.

I will do whatever I can to ensure that my children and their beliefs are tolerated. Furthermore, I do not want my children taught anything at school that should be taught only at home. Teachers should teach English, math social studies, science, and foreign languages.

The class I asked to observe is a Freshman Advisory class in which gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender DHS students discuss their sexual orientation with all freshmen. If they are allowed to share this information with freshmen, parents should be allowed to hear their presentation also.

If they are uncomfortable with a parent sitting quietly in the back of the class, then perhaps the presentation is not appropriate for the public school.

I do not want teachers having some students announce their sexual orientation to my children as part of a classroom presentation, and I do not want teachers even suggesting that my children accept the view that homosexual behavior is right behavior. This is not what I send my kids to school to learn. Something needs to change.

Ellen Waltz
Deerfield

Deerfield High School has some explaining to do…

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Posted in News, Gay Straight Alliance, Sex-Ed Curriculum, Books & Required Reading in Public Schools, Diversity & Tolerance Propaganda

Garden State Equality was given credibility by McGreevy (they have a government paid office now).

50% (49.5% according to the poll) of parents opted out of their kids wacthing the video, in this district. That’s parents who bothered to respond to the poll (many didn’t because of the backlash or their position on the PTA, etc.). Those 50% of parents are called bigots, troublemakers, etc. These parents were not notified of this video or given the opportunity to view it in the beginning of the school year, prior to when it was shown, in December at one of the district elementary schools. Yes, the packet came home in September, but this video was not mentioned. Nothing about this video or the core curriculum was mentioned. Usually, every video viewed by students has to have a parent permission slip in order for that student to view the video. They kept this secret. For a reason, imo.

Exactly! And they notify parents about everything. In the middle schools, any film shown has to have a permission slip signed in order for each child to view the film.

After the fiasco, they sent home permission slips and half chose to not have their children view the video (after it being shown to parents at a BoE meeting, shown at various churches, etc.). Those parents are considered loons, troublemakers, bigots. It became national news and so many are too worried about how any dissent will affect their kids, themselves. The major issue isn’t just about this video. The video is just what opened many eyes concerning what’s going on in our schools.

the reaction in this formerly conservative town is unbelievable. Parents opposing this video, opposing not being notified, are considered uneducated, bigoted, lunatics. Seriously, the BoE meetings have been overtaken by activist groups who don’t live here, don’t pay the taxes we do.

I can’t even discuss how we hired a consultant, a diversity consultant, to promote this agenda, at taxpayers expense when they had no clue they were paying for this consultant who is a leftist talking head.And, none knew because we’re not informed of any of this.

Usually, every video viewed by students has to have a parent permission slip in order for that student to view the video. They kept this secret. For a reason, imo.

Exactly! I have written a letter to my child’s principal & teacher that NO MOVIES are to be shown to my 7 yr old daughter w/o a permission slip being signed by me or my husband. I also find that many of the movies I would rather my child not to see are paid for by the PTO/PTA. That really disturbs me greatly. They have our children doing fund raisers to buy the movies...I am just totally disgusted by public schools. If my child is shown any movie I would rather she not see I will be happy to take on the school system. I also have told my daughter to walk out of the class should they try to show her the following movies, Al Gores movie, Thats A Family & Its OK To Be Gay. I feel the school ought to mind its own business and just teach. I can teach my child about sex etc. ~P~

My kids didn’t/don’t attend the elementary (K-8) public schools. My two teens attended catholic grade school and now attend the public high school and the two little ones attend catholic grade school but will attend the public high school.

I have to sign permission slips all the time for my two teens (to view movies in class). Since my kids don’t attend the elementary public school, my opinion/outrage is questioned. I’m a taxpayer and citizen/resident of this town and I have a say in what’s going on the in the schools. Plus, I teach in them. That causes a problem (going against the Union or Admin).

NJ’s core curriculum states that sex ed doesn’t have to be addressed until 8th grade health class but they’re addressing these issues in 3rd grade. And most of the teachers (in this district)don’t know the aforementioned (8th grade) curriculum.

I know a few parents who have done what you did (writing a letter to the principal and teacher) concerning some of these videos. Those parents are called lunatics, special interest groups here.

I’m disgusted by thepublic schools too. I have 2 in public high school and have no issue with whatever they indoctrinate because they’re in high school. They already know what’s going on. I’ve taught/teach in public schoolsand I’m disgusted, surprised by the way parents who question are treated.

ITA. Public Schools should teach the academics, basics and content areas and leave the values to the parents since prayer has been taken out of the schools.

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