Introducing: the MIP Digest

ICYMI, this is for YOU!

Mar 31, 2023

We are pleased to announce a new feature on the Massachusetts Informed Parents Substack: the MIP Digest!

The MIP Digest will be a regular feature where we share the great information that has been posted to the MIP Facebook group during the previous week. The MIP Digest won’t capture all of the interesting comments and conversations that happen in the Facebook group, but it will '“hit the high notes” and give you a quick overview of the content, in case you missed it.

First, here are the posts from our Admins:

Resource Alert: Updated Parental Advisory Book List

Our Parental Advisory Book List has been updated to include more titles. See the whole list at the link below.

https://www.mafamily.org/.../MIP-Parent-Advisory-Book...

Parents, these are books that might be in your child's school library or classroom. This list is not exhaustive, but we hope it serves as a helpful tool to empower you to protect your child from viewing graphic, sexually explicit, or sexuality-related material.

To see more in-depth reports on the contents of some of these books (and others!), visit www.booklooks.org or www.ratedbooks.org.

Protect Your Kids from Graphic Content in School Libraries

It's no secret that parents are more concerned than ever about their kids having access to explicit material in the school library. But, since parents aren't physically in the school with their child, it can be difficult to determine exactly what books are on the shelves. Additionally, students are granted access by their school to online books and resources through databases and apps where they may also encounter graphic content. MIP encourages parents to follow the steps below to discover what material their kids may be able to view. Use our Parent Advisory Book List for titles to search.

Search titles using Go Follett, an online portal where you can select your child's school from a drop-down list to access your school collection.
Check the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) website. 827 MA school libraries are also a part of the MLS. Some districts don't use Go Follett, and some districts that do use Go Follett ONLY list certain types of resources online (ebooks, for example), NOT their entire catalog. Double-checking with the MLS will help you see what you might be missing. Use the link above to search for your school's library and see if they are a part of this network. Note: Libraries that are part of the MLS can also participate in inter-library loan (ILL). Your school library might be able to access books through ILL that are not in their catalog. Check with your child's school library to find out if they offer this service.
Investigate any homework and research databases or apps that your child may have been granted access to by their school. Some examples of these are: Sora, Epic, EBSCO, and Gale (but there are many more). Note: Check your child's school library website for a list of the online resources available to them. Your school library website may link to these databases and apps. The resources found on these sites are NOT part of the library catalog, so if you are looking to avoid certain titles or topics, you will need to check these online resources individually.

Also, some teachers maintain a classroom library. These are often informal and not connected to the school's library. Teachers may not maintain a list of the books in their classroom library, but if there are specific titles or themes that you do not want shared with your child, let the teacher know.

Finally, if your child’s school does not have an online catalog, you as a parent (and/or taxpayer) have a right to find out what books are in your local school libraries. You can request this information from the library media specialist or principal. If it is not provided, you can submit a public record request.

MA schools are exposing kids to sexualized and other not age-appropriate content in school libraries and through online resources. This is wrong. We hope the information provided above will give you some of the tools you need to protect your kids.

#mip #equippingparents #protectingkids

Looking for a way to exit the public school system? Consider a Learning Center!

We told you about previous tours of Learning Centers around the state throughout the month of March. The date of the last event was scheduled for tomorrow, April 1st in Somerville. That tour date has been changed to May 6th.

Learn about this exciting alternative schooling movement of churches and families taking back the responsibility of children’s education. Hear from education leaders from churches across the state advancing this effort. Be inspired! Perhaps you’ll find a solution that works for your children or grandchildren!?

Click here for location details and to register to attend.

This Excellent Resource Exposing the Transgender Trend Just Got Better!

MA schools are indoctrinating kids in transgender ideology and setting them up for irreparable harm. Find out how to protect kids from gender confusion and learn more about the controversy over transgender ideology with these informative resources below…

Back in October 2022, we profiled a new podcast series, Generation Indoctrination (you can find that profile here. If you took the time to listen to this series, you know it was well-done, packed with important information, accessible and interesting. (And if you haven't listened to it yet, MIP highly recommends it.)

Since then, the journalist behind this podcast, Brandon Showalter, has teamed up with Dr. Jeff Myers to release a new book: Exposing the Gender Lie: How to Protect Children and Teens from the Transgender Industry's False Ideology. The book is available FREE to download in ebook format HERE.

Now in addition to this great new ebook, Showalter and Myers have teamed up to bring us a second season of Generation Indoctrination! Every episode of this new season will be a reading of a chapter from their new book. This is great news if you struggle to find time to sit down with a book in hand.

Click HERE to check out the first episode of this new season. This episode launched at the beginning of the week, so there should be a second episode soon.

MIP strongly encourages you to share these excellent resources with your friends!

Attention parents in the Old Rochester Regional district!

Today was Transgender Day of Visibility at the High School. This event was sponsored by students. This morning the principal sent an email to staff advising them that if any students showed disrespect they should be reported to the administration for "consequence."

What is considered disrespectful or inappropriate student conduct by the ORR administration? If a student respectfully expresses they hold a different views than the ones promoted by this event would this be cause for that student to be reported to receive a "consequence?"

It is important that parents and students understand that students have a First Amendment right to respectfully express their views without threat of punishment. If your students' speech is being chilled at school, contact massinformedparents@gmail.com.