| The latest scary ad from Stand for Marriage Maine (S4MM), "Safe Schools," attempts to persuade Mainers that should the so-called people's veto fail, a gay marriage curriculum "would be pushed on our children." To do this the ad cites examples from Massachusetts and California; the first, a book called Who's in a Family, which I addressed here.
The second event that the ad predicts could happen here is the "Safe Schools Curriculum Addressing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity" - this is so scary that Marc Mutty, in an email, warns again of what it could reap:
Our commercial cites the "Safe Schools Curriculum Addressing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity" used in the Alameda Unified School District in Alameda, California. The "Safe Schools" curriculum in California, like in Maine and elsewhere, is one where young children are introduced to homosexual relationships at an early age. (emphasis mine)
I called the Alameda Unified School District and spoke to the Interim Assistant Superintendent, Ruben Zepeda, to ask just what it is they're teaching there.
And, as you might expect, it isn't that scary.
First, the program is called the "Caring Schools Community Curriculum," not "Safe Schools etc." Zepeda explained to me that California has a small number of prescribed guidelines for public school districts to follow, and that Alameda added a LGBT component to theirs, at the request of parents of kids in the system. These parents felt that what was defined by the State did not go far enough, Zepeda said.
The "Caring Schools Community Curriculum" was approved by the School Board, over a small but vocal opposition, I was told. You can read about it yourself here.
Let me walk you through what will be taught in Kindergarten. First, the teacher is to make sure that all students are comfortable:
A welcoming class meeting is an introductory lesson to help students understand what makes children feel welcome. And, to discover what the effect is of unwelcoming behavior, such as hurtful teasing, name calling and exclusion.
I've volunteered in the recent past in our the Kindergarten classes of our two older children - our youngest, who some of you know, will be attending next year. If you've never been in a room with 17 five year-olds that are not used to the discipline required in a classroom, you ought to volunteer (and most schools will welcome it!). You would be amazed at how much time is spent on keeping them from touching each other, other things, themselves - that they matriculate knowing certain words by sight, how to use scissors, and not so much glue, is a testament to their teachers (disclaimer - my wife is one).
Alameda requires this lesson of these same kids:
The Lesson:
1.Gather in a circle and introduce "Welcome" Students come with a partner to the circle. Briefly review the class meeting rules. Remind the students that everyone likes to feel welcome and supported at school, whether they are new to the school or not. Also, remind them that no one likes to be teased or called hurtful words.
2. Discuss what it means to feel welcome at school. Explain that the students will talk about times they've felt welcome and the times when their feelings might have been hurt. Point out that this can be a difficult topic to talk about and that you would like the students to focus on listening and responding in a caring way.
•Ask students for examples
3. Discuss what it means to feel unwelcome at school.
• Ask students for examples
4. Read the book aloud "The New Girl and Me"
Discuss, asking these questions:
• Have any of you ever been new to a classroom, join a team or go to an event where you didn't know anyone?
• What did DJ do or say that made Shakeeta feel unwelcome or "not at home"?
• Has anyone ever seen an iguana? What does it look like? Eat?
• What finally made Shakeeta feel welcome?
Activity:
• Using the writing prompt, "I can help others feel welcome by..." ask students to respond verbally to this.
• Have students return to their desks to draw a welcoming picture.
• Upon completion, bring students back to the circle to share and comment.
• Display pictures around the room or in the hallway.
Summarize the Discussion
Summarize what the students have said about why welcoming a new student is important to the class and school community. Encourage students to notice both new and continuing students who might be playing alone on the playground, and to approach them with a welcoming voice and gesture.
Reflect and Adjourn the Meeting
Have the students briefly discuss how they did today listening and responding in a caring, welcoming way. Adjourn the meeting and have the students return to their seats.
That's it. That is the "indoctrination" required in Alameda, future home of the most gay kids in America. All because Proposition 8 FAILED in their state.
That's right - same-sex couples in California cannot get married anymore, and yet this "curriculum" was approved by the School Board of the city cited in the advertisement from S4MM.
Say no to fear. Say NO on 1. |
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