Families in 2023 have a difficult road to travel in trying to raise their children to be moral, integral and confident adults. Past generations did not have to deal with the barrage of messaging that is being presented in the classroom nowadays. Students are being exposed to much more than just reading, writing and math in class and it can seem overwhelming to deal with.
Luckily, the brainwashing of children has been exposed, and we are seeing parents voicing their frustrations about lessons that are hyper focused on issues of race, gender identity and the rewriting of US history. Rick Hess, director of education policy studies for the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute says, “For a large number of Americans, when they look at what schools are doing and the messages that are being sent by advocates of public education,” Hess said, “it sounds like these folks are pushing agendas and values that feel alien, feel destructive, and it winds up eroding their faith in the profession as a whole.”
Despite this new wave of propaganda from schools and the Department of Education that leads to a lack of trust, there ARE school leaders and teachers in your local school that are willing to advocate for the values and ideals that you hold dear. Although they make up a small minority of public and private educators, they refuse to blindly follow along with untested ideologies that they deem detrimental to students, and society as a whole.
Unfortunately too, there’s not a lot of information out there on how parents can ensure that they have a say in what happens in schools. It’s possible that parents feel unqualified or even ill-equipped to voice their opinions and concerns. When they don’t feel like their voice is being heard, parents can seek out an advocate.
An advocate is someone who is willing to publicly defend something or someone. Any staff member can be of assistance in this capacity. From classroom teachers, to the secretary in the main office that may have the principal’s ear, these employees see their role as protectors of your children and echo their concerns for the woke agenda.
These teachers have joined forces with groups like Boston for Parents Unite, who are vocal in their response to “the one-sided woke agenda being promoted in private or independent schools as well as in public schools…who are no longer teaching children how to think, but what to think.”
Luckily, the brainwashing of children has been exposed, and we are seeing parents voicing their frustrations about lessons that are hyper focused on issues of race, gender identity and the rewriting of US history. Rick Hess, director of education policy studies for the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute says, “For a large number of Americans, when they look at what schools are doing and the messages that are being sent by advocates of public education,” Hess said, “it sounds like these folks are pushing agendas and values that feel alien, feel destructive, and it winds up eroding their faith in the profession as a whole.”
Despite this new wave of propaganda from schools and the Department of Education that leads to a lack of trust, there ARE school leaders and teachers in your local school that are willing to advocate for the values and ideals that you hold dear. Although they make up a small minority of public and private educators, they refuse to blindly follow along with untested ideologies that they deem detrimental to students, and society as a whole.
Unfortunately too, there’s not a lot of information out there on how parents can ensure that they have a say in what happens in schools. It’s possible that parents feel unqualified or even ill-equipped to voice their opinions and concerns. When they don’t feel like their voice is being heard, parents can seek out an advocate.
An advocate is someone who is willing to publicly defend something or someone. Any staff member can be of assistance in this capacity. From classroom teachers, to the secretary in the main office that may have the principal’s ear, these employees see their role as protectors of your children and echo their concerns for the woke agenda.
These teachers have joined forces with groups like Boston for Parents Unite, who are vocal in their response to “the one-sided woke agenda being promoted in private or independent schools as well as in public schools…who are no longer teaching children how to think, but what to think.”
Advocates will be mindful of those teachers who are spending more time on gender, racism and identity than the basics. They should know what processes to follow to help you to know who to talk with, what to say and how to get resolution if there is a problem.
For example, in a situation where students were being forced to learn about an alternative narrative on American history, a colleague commented to the New York Post, “parents should always be given a say in their kids’ education; they’re the ones, after all, ultimately responsible for their kids’ futures. And many (rightly) abhor the idea of having their kids taught the divisive, fact-challenged notions of Hannah-Jones’ 1619 Project.” In another instance, parents in Oklahoma were not satisfied with the communication that their child’s school was putting out about a 12 year old transgender boy who was using the bathroom alongside their girls. Their strength in numbers, along with members of that staff who also disagreed with the new policy, were granted an audience with the administration. In this situation, there was strength in numbers! |
Along with working with a building advocate, it’s important to remember that it is helpful to have solutions. In an interview about how parents can combat the wave of new age curriculum and rhetoric, Ian Rowe, a district leader, encouraged parents to make sure they weren’t just complaining. It is important to be prepared to, “present a powerful and empowering alternative,” Rowe says he chose to contribute to 1776 Unites in part because he didn’t want merely to criticize the teaching of critical race theory, but to provide teachers and parents with a more accurate way to teach American history. Getting an audience with school leaders, championing the causes that you deem important and aligning yourself with educators or support staff that think like you are all ways to make an impact. If you haven’t already, you can join the PTO or other parent/teacher organizations to get a pulse on what is happening at your school. You can build a strong relationship with your child’s teacher now. Yes, participating in parent/teacher conferences and asking homework questions are important. But you might have to call out the big guns to get your point across. |
When that time comes, an advocate can be the answer. If you aren’t sure who those people are in your child’s school, you can reach out to larger organizations like Parents Defending Education a “national grassroots organization working to reclaim our schools from activists promoting harmful agendas,” PDE is a school-focused group working to connect parents and provide resources to respond to these types of issues. They can help you find other parents in your local area and offer resources on how to respond effectively to your administration’s agenda. and we can give you tips on how to find them.
Next month: What Colorado schools are doing to include parents.
Next month: What Colorado schools are doing to include parents.
Getting involved locally:
There are many different ways that citizens can get involved in the educational process. Schools are asking for participation in many different ways. The schools along the corridor have made school board meetings readily available for the public to watch and participate in. Together, we can contribute time and attention to our young people. Below is a list of opportunities:
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
-Write your local superintendent
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
-Write your local superintendent
- Bennett * Mrs. Robin Purdy
- Strasburg * Mr. Dan Hoff
- Byers * Mr. Tom Turrell
- Deer Trail * Mr. BJ Buchmann