Posted on 02/26/2003 5:11:27 PM PST by jpthomas
Maine parents report children told Iraq war illegal, immoral
Public-school teachers in Maine – at least 12 of them – have told children of recently called-up National Guard members that any attack on Iraq would be illegal and immoral, thus insinuating that the students' parents are equally immoral, according to reports by local Guard personnel.
WABI-TV in Bangor, Maine, first reported Friday that family members of two National Guard units recently deployed reported to the Guard's Family Assistance Program that teachers were making harassing comments to their children. The assistance program is designed to help families of Guard members who are called to active duty with information about various programs that can help them during deployments.
WABI reporter Alan Grover told WND that reports of the harassment had come in from 12 different schools across the state. Personnel from the Family Assistance Program collected the 12 reports after interviewing 80 Guard families. Since there are 600 such families affected, the number of actual incidents likely is higher.
State Education Commissioner Duke Albanese downplayed the matter, saying there were only "three anecdotal incidents," according to the Bangor Daily News.
Adjutant Gen. Joseph Tinkham of the Guard, however, confirmed that there were specific instances of harassment and that the names of the teachers, locations and dates have been recorded. The Guard has decided not to release those names for fear of repercussions for the students involved and instead will allow individual parents to decide if they want to confront the teachers publicly.
WABI also reported that Albanese has sent a letter to the state's teachers, encouraging them to be mindful of the children of military personnel and to be balanced in discussing various views about a potential war.
According to the TV station, principals and guidance counselors also have made disparaging remarks to students about their parents' participation in war preparations.
In a related matter, WABI reports that the National Guard instructed soldiers to meet with school personnel prior to deploying to inform them of the deployment and let them know that the children of soldiers may have some special emotional issues to deal with as a result.
In response, according to the report, school personnel were less than cooperative, telling the soldiers, in effect, "That's your problem."
Sensitivity Around Differing Opinions About Iraq and Its Impact on Children of Military Personnel
INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 45
POLICY CODE: IHAK
TO: Superintendents of Schools and Principals
FROM: J. Duke Albanese, Commissioner
DATE: February 25, 2003
RE: Sensitivity Around Differing Opinions About Iraq and Its Impact on Children of Military Personnel
Currently, our nation is experiencing a time of great uncertainties related to U.S. relations with Iraq. People have diverse perspectives and viewpoints regarding how to best resolve this conflict and the challenges it poses at home and abroad. As a democratic society we believe in the right to discuss controversial issues and express ideas and opinions freely in a civil manner.
Recently, it has been brought to our attention that some school personnel around the State may have been less than sensitive to children of military families regarding our continued strained relations with Iraq. In some situations, parents – who are about to be deployed – have observed added stress and anxiety among their children who perceive a school staff member or their peers as being insensitive to their beliefs and the potential danger to their loved ones. Regarding instruction, most educators are being careful in their teaching about America’s response to Iraq, although some reports indicate otherwise.
These reports have been shared by parents with National Guard personnel as gatherings have been held at Family Assistance Centers around the state. Discussion of these incidents has fueled some strained feelings from affected families toward schools.
After discussions with Adjutant General and Commissioner Brigadier Joseph E. Tinkham II, I am asking you to remind school personnel that these are difficult times for our nation and that the families of military personnel need our sensitivity. As educational leaders in your community, you may receive calls, e-mail messages, or other forms of communication from people who are concerned about this issue. As you respond to the public or advise your district’s educators and other staff, I encourage you to emphasize the importance of:
>> creating and maintaining a supportive climate that is sensitive to all children and their families in these unsettled times;
>> providing balanced information in classrooms and other settings that present the differing perspectives of Americans regarding how our nation responds to Iraq. The content and discussion should allow for questions and differences of opinions, yet be grounded in civil discourse and mutual respect. Age and developmental appropriateness of materials are also important; and
>> encouraging school counselors, nurses, and social workers to acknowledge the emotional and physical needs and concerns expressed by children and families involved with the Armed Services.
Ensuring the emotional and physical safety of all of Maine’s students is first and foremost on all of our minds. I appreciate your support in these unsettled times and thank you in advance for offering guidance and support for our children and parents, particularly those who are directly affected by military service to our nation.
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