The Essex Westfield School District in Vermont told 5th-grade families and “caregivers” that teachers are using inclusive language now.
The language change starts as the grade begins lessons on puberty.
“In an effort to align our curriculum with our equity policy, teachers will be using gender inclusive language throughout this unit,” the letter says. “With any differences we strive to use ‘person-first’ language as best practice. You will see examples of this below.”
The school district uses this new language:
Parents sent the letter to Parents Defending Education. Director of Outreach Erika Sanzi posted it on Twitter.
The school district responded a day after Sanzi posted the letter:
The EWSD has a health program for students in grades K-8 called The Great Body Shop. This program is in alignment with our District Equity Policy and it aligns with the K-8 Vermont Agency of Education Health Standards.The Great Body Shop guides our instruction in puberty/growth and development. The program helps us ensure that our instruction and methods are inclusive of all students in our schools. This means that the instruction will not associate puberty with any identified gender but rather be clear about the differences in bodies and how that changes the experiences of puberty. This is designed to be LGBTQIA+ affirming, and a guide to supporting all students in understanding their own bodies without separating students by identified gender.The Great Body Shop is a comprehensive health education curricular resource that is developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, and medically accurate. The Great Body Shop is aligned with the National Health Education Standards, the National Sexuality Education Standards, and many state standards, including Vermont’s.The Great Body Shop’s primary purpose is to provide families and students with the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy life choices (https://thegreatbodyshop.net/curriculum/k-six).
I looked at The Great Body Shop’s website. It’s vague. Doesn’t go into detail about the 5th-grade curriculum. Except for one thing.
“Biological differences between boys and girls.”
So will the school admit there are biological differences between males and females? Or will it eliminate that part of the curriculum?
I’m guessing the latter because the letter to parents states, “We are working on editing worksheets and handouts to reflect these changes but you may see some worksheets that have not changed.”
The school district also lashed out at Fox and Friends for asking for a statement:
The EWSD continues to utilize the same AOE approved standards with language updates in alignment with the Vermont Agency Education recommendations. Per the EWSD Equity Policy, we remain committed to utilizing inclusive language and practices to ensure all students grow and thrive.We also strive to model kindness, respect, and civility to our students. As we engage with transparency with our community, the Board will not tolerate vitriol, hateful or threatening language, or other mistreatment of our staff. As a board, we fully stand behind our educators, administrators, and their work ensuring academic excellence in adherence to state standards.
Well, maybe the school district’s Equity & Inclusion section should be more specific. Of course, it cannot be specific because more parents would be outraged.
I couldn’t find “inclusive” or “language” in the section.
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