Posted on 09/27/2005 6:14:39 PM PDT by lexfreedom
Ash: What does the law say schools have to do? By Paul Ash Thursday, September 22, 2005
Over the summer, I have received a number of questions about implementation of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 32A ("Section 32A"). These questions relate to the following provision:
Every city, town, regional school district or vocational school district implementing or maintaining curriculum which primarily involves human sexual education or human sexual issues shall adopt a policy ensuring parental/guardian notification. Such policy shall afford parents or guardians the flexibility to exempt their children from any portion of said curriculum through written notification to the school principal.
In Lexington, curriculum identified by the statute generally begins at the fifth-grade level. LPS has, of course, adopted a policy implementing Section 32A, and school staff routinely provide parents with notice and the flexibility to "opt out" of this curriculum.
Recently, questions have been raised as to whether school staff also has an obligation to notify parents and allow "opt out" of other school-based activities, particularly in the elementary grades. For example, some parents have requested they be notified whenever their child has access to any material, conversation, or activity that acknowledges differences in sexual orientation, including any reference to families with same-gender parents.
Since elementary curriculum often elicits discussion of family experiences, such references certainly may occur. In addition, our schools routinely provide students with access to materials, activities, and discussions that recognize diversity. This access is designed to assist us in our goal of maintaining an appropriate and respectful educational environment for all students. As required by law and LPS policy, this environment must be free of discrimination based on race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin and disability.
The Massachusetts Department of Education, which is responsible for administering Section 32A, has explained that activities and materials designed to promote tolerance and respect for individuals, including recognition of differences in sexual orientation "without further instruction on the physical and sexual implications" do not trigger the notice and opt out provisions of Section 32A. Under this standard, staff has no obligation to notify parents of discussions, activities, or materials that simply reference same-gender parents or that otherwise recognize the existence of differences in sexual orientation. Accordingly, I expect teachers to continue to allow children access to such activities and materials to the extent appropriate to children's ages, to district goals of respecting diversity, and to the curriculum.
As this new school year begins, I look forward to working with the Lexington community to provide a positive educational environment for all students.
Dr. Paul Ash is the superintendent of Lexington Public Schools.
This is a blatant falsehood.
Under this standard, staff has no obligation to notify parents of discussions, activities, or materials that simply reference same-gender parents or that otherwise recognize the existence of differences in sexual orientation.
Perhaps there is no legal "obligation", but the issue isn't what the schools can get away with; they're there to serve the community and respect parents roles and responsibilities.
Support David Parker ! Visit:
Ping
iirc most of the homosexual content in school in MA is based on, or started from, suicide prevention.
This way, none of it falls under "health and sexuality", and the MA privacy laws also kick in to shield the parents from knowlege.
All of the homosexual stuff like GSA clubs and special programs and speakers are funded from suicide prevention money.
I think the way to stop it is to shift the money over to health education, then parents can find out.
Of course the legislature will honor a citizen petition to do this, eh? They'll let it go on the ballot.
I think not. Their b*lls are held in a lockbox by the GLBTIQP community...don't ask me what the 'P' stands for...
Thanks for the pings - I'll be a-pinging them out tomorrow.
Hmmm - "GLBTIQP": Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, I?, Questionning, P?.
Pinhead? Poopyhead? Pirouetting? Parrotlovers?
LOL
I is Intersex...I have no idea what that means...
LGBTIQ = Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Questioning and Queer.
As for the P, I'll guess "Proud".
Homosexual Agenda Ping.
More on Lexington, the public school system in MASS, David Parker, and what amounts to mandatory homosexual indoctrination.
Ironic that the American Revolution more or less started in Lexington. Now the iron boot of government mandated homosexual indoctrination is surpressing individual freedom and natural morality which is the foundation of freedom in that selfsame spot.
If anyone thinks "Oh, that won't happen here" - wake up and smell the - well, it ain't roses and it ain't coffee.
Freepmail me AND DirtyHarryY2K if you want on/off this pinglist.
Even so, why wouldn't you if hte parents want it?
Intersex is when they have organs of both, I believe, most foten by choice. Not hermephrodites, this is different. Like bi-sexual, but with either female or male implants, whichever they weren't born with.
Now I could be wrong, maybe the P is the one, and it stands for Poly???
Either home school or move. If Massachusetts Public schools are bound and determined to teach that the homo-perve lifesyle is somehow normal and acceptable, against the teachings of the home, you take your kid out. If you can't homeschool for whatever reason, ban together with other parents willing to protect their kids from the perverts and set up a co-op school. Retired teachers are great for this, the ones that miss teaching anyway. But you can get experts from all walks of life to teach. How about a biologist to teach biology?
Read it all here -- Paul Ash's order, the current law, the DOE decision.
Thus, Paul Ash ignores what the DOE told him and sets his own agenda. Clearly, a same-sex "couple" constitutes a homosexual relationship. But Ash is so intent on pushing the agenda on Lexington's children that he decides not to let this "detail" get in his way. In our opinion, Paul Ash is a symbol of the most dangerous aspect of the American education system.
=== 2. Playing hardball: Lexington, MA superintendent refuses to relent on order keeping parent David Parker off school property! ===
Last week, David Parker's son's first grade class held "Back to School" night. Parents were invited to come to class, and the kids would show their parents their desks, their projects, their drawings. And the parents would get to talk to the teacher and other parents and kids. It's always a cherished time.
But David Parker couldn't go. Even though his son asked him to come.
The town of Lexington continues to impose a heinous "no-trespass" order against David Parker. Superintendent Paul Ash could lift this order in a minute. But he refuses to do so.
Thus, if David Parker sets foot on any school property, he could be arrested. He can't attend any school functions, pick up his son, attend school committee meetings, or even vote on election day.
Parker represents absolutely no danger to anyone, and no one suggests he does. This is being done as an instrument of intimidation -- against Parker and anyone else who might want to do what he did. Last April 27, David Parker demanded that he be notified if any adult discussed homosexuality or transgenderism with his 6-year-old in the elementary school. The school's reaction was to handcuff and arrest him. (Read more here.) And the local gay activists continue to attack him in the press and elsewhere. Parker is standing tall, but this is utterly outrageous.
Lexington Supt. Paul Ash's refusal to even discuss lifting this ban represents the worst arrogance we can imagine. Is this America any more?
Dr. Paul Ash, Superintendent
Lexington Public Schools
1557 Massachusetts Ave.
Lexington, MA 02420
781-861-2550
email: pash@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us
It's crystal clear. The public school system in Massachusetts (and unfortunately many other places to one degree or another) is FUBAR. I hope the Parkers start homeschooling their child or send him to a decent private school.
It's getting very actice. You've read about how the House of Reps just passed a so-called "Child Protection Act" which includes a rider about "hate crimes" which includes sexual orientation as a protected species.
Total hellish crap. It's getting very, very bad. If the Senate passes it, which they are likely to do since they are always pushing that, BUSH BETTER VETO IT!
That would be "actiVe".
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