This Week's MIP Digest
This Week's MIP Digest
One day early! The best of MIP, in your inbox.
It’s time for another edition of the MIP Digest!
In case you are new here (welcome!), the MIP Digest is 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 include the highlights and provide a quick overview of the content, in case you missed it.
This week we are sending out our Digest one day early because there is some information that pertains to events happening this Friday (tomorrow). So while “better late than never” is often true, we figured, why be late at all? And if anything Digest-worthy gets posted in MIP tomorrow, we’ll include it in next Friday’s email.
First, here are the posts from our Admins:
Attention Newton Parents!
Have you heard about what is happening at Newton North this Friday?
Check out THIS ARTICLE this article from Parents Defending Education for more info.
(Photo credit: Parents Defending Education)
Note: Scroll to the end for a petition (“No Drag Shows in Newton Schools”) related to this event that was submitted by an MIP member.
Parents: Is Assassination Classroom in your child's school library?
Assassination Classroom, a Manga series that started in 2012 and also has a parallel animated series (available on Netflix until 2021, and can still be found online through other websites), has been found in some middle school libraries.
Read THIS ARTICLE for more information on where it has been found and the response by concerned parents.
This series, rated ages T+, primarily surround the theme of students killing their teacher. The series contains violent themes and graphic (violent and sexually suggestive) imagery. While defenders of Assassination Classroom argue that the books are not harmful because the teacher in the series is an alien squid who wants to destroy the world, the fact is that these books still promote the idea that a student could act heroically by attempting to assassinate their teacher. An adult may understand the distinction between the storyline and reality, but it could be lost on an emotionally-troubled child or teen. This is why, regardless of the storyline, these books have no place in a school library.
For a peek inside the Assassination Classroom series, CLICK HERE and scroll down to find individual reports on many of the series' books (thanks, BookLooks!).
Is Assassination Classroom it in your child's school? Find out on www.gofollett.com and let us know by leaving a comment on this post!
Friday, April 14th is the Day of Silence: Is Your Child's School Participating?
At MIP we have received quite a few questions about the upcoming "Day of Silence." According to GLSEN, the "Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ+ students and allies all around the country—and the world—take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools." This initiative was started in the 90's and has seen increasing institutional support in recent years (as well as major sponsors... this year it is sponsored by Ulta Beauty). The Day of Silence is being observed in many MA schools this Friday.
During the Day of Silence, participating students agree to remain silent throughout the day. In addition to this, some schools are allowing students to also take part as a "supporter" or "ally," which means the student is not silent all day but they wear either a sticker or a ribbon that expresses their support for the event. Many parents are concerned that if their child does not participate as a "supporter" or "ally," they will be ostracized by their peers and possibly persecuted for their religious beliefs.
If your child's school is participating in this event and you are concerned about the consequences for your child, here are some options:
Ask the administration to cancel the event based on the fact that many people’s views on human sexuality and gender vary according to their religious beliefs and that this event may create an unfair and uncomfortable experience for religious students if they feel pressured to participate and/or are ostracized socially for not participating. (While it is highly unlikely they will cancel the event, at least school officials can note your objections.)
Keep your child home from school that day. Many school districts only require a parent's note for an excused absence. Review your district's attendance policy to see what documentation your district requires to excuse your child. If an excused absence cannot be obtained, make sure you understand the consequences of an unexcused absence. Depending on your unique situation, you might decide these consequences are worth accepting.
Prepare your child to go to school that day and to not be a participant or a supporter. If questioned they can respond with a version of this, “While I love and accept all people, my views on human sexuality and gender are informed by my religion. My religion teaches that marriage should be between one man and one women, and that people are created to be distinctly male or female and it is not possible to change genders.” Also, contact the administration ahead of time and voice your concerns. Emphasize that you do not want your child to be pressured, discriminated against, ostracized, or persecuted for their religious beliefs regarding human sexuality and gender.
Focus on the Family provides quite a few resources for parents on how to help their children navigate this issue. You can find those resources, which are written from a Christian perspective, HERE.
And finally, if your child attends school during this event and experiences any bullying or discrimination for their views or non-participation, let us know at massinformedparents@gmail.com.
Other helpful links shared by MIP members this week:
The Best Advice You’ll Get on How to Keep Kids Safe from Tech
“No Drag in Newton Schools” Petition
Example of how to effectively engage your school committee through public comment:
Was this email forwarded to you by a friend? Join the Substack subscribe list now and get our content delivered right to your inbox!
Follow us on Twitter too!
If you’re on Facebook and not a member of MIP, click HERE to join!
And if you’re already a member of MIP, share the group (and this Substack) with your friends!
