Los Angeles: parents stormed school board meetings because it ordered school curriculum promoting homosexuality, transgenderism, pre-marital sex, and

[Dolphin]

Saying they advocated for pre-marital sex and abortion is misleading…

You are suggesting this school district told kids they prefer all children to be aborted and prefer sex before marriage (talk about teen pregnancy). They did not say this. Rather, they advocated for these things being choices. But they did not say they preferred them as your title Misleadingly suggests

 

[Dolphin]

When I was in high school I skipped both my junior and senior proms (this being 5 years ago) because I found them to be a waste of time and money.

No point in spending so much money for one night in my opinion and two, I had no desire to ask some woman to the dance knowing I would probably never see her again after HS. Why hold hands and dance with someone who in two months you won’t see again and certainly won’t marry.

That was my perspective and looking back on it I’m very glad I made the choice not to go, no regrets at all. I’m glad the only person I’ve ever danced with is my girlfriend (soon to be fiancé).

 

[HomeschoolDad]

In terms of prom, I think it’s pointless anymore. I know you have good at heart, @homeschooldad, but nowadays you could easily have openly out gay / lesbian students who arrive as a couple. Kind of would make your restrictions pointless –
Straight kids couldn’t arrive as a couple, but LG kids could?

I think anyone who knows me, either on this forum or in my daily life, knows that I try always for my heart to be in the right place, even if on the odd occasion my head is someplace where heads don’t belong… it happens…

I want to see high school, including the prom, to be an experience where everyone is respected and finds acceptance and self-esteem, and I just don’t think that “couples proms”, where some girls get asked and others don’t, are a good way to bring that about. In a Catholic school (or any school that upholds traditional moral values), any obvious LGBT behavior would be discouraged, including coming to prom as an obvious couple — though at my Catholic high school, 40+ years, there was at least one openly gay student, two girls who were rumored to be a “couple”, and others as well, and nobody had any real problems with it. I guess I would say in a public school, if you’re LGBT, just be discreet — not condoning this in any way, just recognizing social realities, and defending the right of all students — straight and LGBT — to have the best possible high school experience.

As I always say, to be an SSPX-friendly Catholic traditionalist (who one time even veered onto the rumble strips of sedevacantism before coming to my senses), I’m actually quite liberal. My comments above would be deeply disliked at many TLM venues.

 

[TC3033]

Opting out is becoming an increasing challenge in areas, where materials are delivered online and parents are less likely to review what is being taught.

No, honestly it’s not. I know my kids weekly cirriculum. I get it every Sunday. As far as opting out goes. Communication is sent out prior to health class; that it’s coming up - how opting out works - etc. If parents are that uninvolved then…

with additional information being added as students move through the grades.

Then Opt Out of the unit each year…

Then there is always the question who creates and delivers the materials.

I guess that’s some homework for parents before making a decision.

As long as threads do not spin off into outer space…

I kinda feel that’s the way it’s going. It went from “sex ed” to the glories of homeschooling and the last history term you spent. I think we’re taking a 90.

If this were one of those “all-business, stick to the knitting” websites, I’m not sure I’d be here.

I honestly see posters mention derailing…all…the…time.

than to have them in public schools run by people who do not have truth, goodness, beauty, and the fullness of the Catholic Faith front and center in their lives and in the curriculum.

How do you know that they don’t have Catholic Faith front and center in their lives. I live in a small town, when we go to Mass and the Priest rails on public schools…how uncomfortable…do you know who the largest employer of the parishioners is…? It’s the public school system. This comment honestly makes me wonder if you’ve ever honestly stepped foot into a public school or even looked at a curriculum.

I’m not Catholic, but I could go get hired as a math teacher this fall (if I want to give up 70% of my engineering salary). So somehow, as a non-Catholic, teaching Calc I to HS Juniors I somehow can’t teach the class? (Special note: I had a Catholic HS come seek me out to coach for them. I got the jobe but I never applied).

I am glad you were able to take ancient and medieval history in high school.

So was I, one of my favorite classes. So I wouldn’t say it’s not something that “You’ll never get in a public school”.

 

[TC3033]

I just don’t think that “couples proms”, where some girls get asked and others don’t, are a good way to bring that about.

Like I said…I’m glad you didn’t run my HS. I digress…how would you ban guys from asking dates? And honestly, speaking as a guy, if you turn it into a spring mixer…it’ll pretty well be “girls only”.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

HomeschoolDad:

As long as threads do not spin off into outer space…

I kinda feel that’s the way it’s going. It went from “sex ed” to the glories of homeschooling and the last history term you spent. I think we’re taking a 90.

If this were one of those “all-business, stick to the knitting” websites, I’m not sure I’d be here.

I honestly see posters mention derailing…all…the…time.

Well, then, let someone flag this post or that one as “off-topic”, and have it removed. That would be a moderator’s call.

HomeschoolDad:

than to have them in public schools run by people who do not have truth, goodness, beauty, and the fullness of the Catholic Faith front and center in their lives and in the curriculum.

How do you know that they don’t have Catholic Faith front and center in their lives. I live in a small town, when we go to Mass and the Priest rails on public schools…how uncomfortable…do you know who the largest employer of the parishioners is…? It’s the public school system. This comment honestly makes me wonder if you’ve ever honestly stepped foot into a public school or even looked at a curriculum.

I spent eight years in public schools, in a small town where Catholics might have made up 3 or 4 percent of the population, so I would say I know quite a bit about public schools, 40-50 years ago, anyway. Catholicism was never even so much as brought up one single time. Pretty much everyone was some stripe of Christian, mostly Baptist, Methodist, and various Holiness/Pentecostal sects. Abstract values really weren’t discussed. It was just all about learning basic knowledge. My 8th grade science teacher was Catholic (this I only learned after I became Catholic and saw her at Mass) but, to my knowledge, none others were. It was a monoculture, almost 100% white, and it was just assumed that everyone thought and believed basically the same way. Religious instruction was understood to be something you got at church on Sunday.

In more cosmopolitan, diverse parts of the country, no doubt there are individual public school teachers who are faithful apostolic Catholics, but I have to think, the extent to which they can bring Catholic values — even secular and philosophical values informed by Catholic thought and piety — is fairly limited.

Of course non-Catholics can teach secular subjects at Catholic schools. Math has no religious component whatsoever, and science is basically unproblematical. Ditto for subjects such as music, foreign language, and physical education — Knute Rockne was not Catholic until 1925. For subjects that do have a religious component, though — obviously catechism, and to a lesser extent history and possibly literature — I find it difficult to understand how Catholic topics could be taught with passion and conviction by a teacher who is not Catholic. There is so much more to education that just teaching facts.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

HomeschoolDad:

I am glad you were able to take ancient and medieval history in high school.

So was I, one of my favorite classes. So I wouldn’t say it’s not something that “You’ll never get in a public school”.

Okay, conceded, if you are in a school that offers it, of course you can get it. But I really doubt that many schools, other than the most severely Catholic ones, spend much time going into detail about the period from roughly AD 400 to 1400. That would be acknowledging that for half of Christian history, Catholicism was basically the only game in town, and that those thousand years matter (at least) just as much as the other thousand years. (Yes, Orthodoxy too, but compared to Protestantism, Orthodoxy is 95% Catholicism anyway.) Not everyone wants to acknowledge that.

HomeschoolDad:

I just don’t think that “couples proms”, where some girls get asked and others don’t, are a good way to bring that about.

Like I said…I’m glad you didn’t run my HS. I digress…how would you ban guys from asking dates? And honestly, speaking as a guy, if you turn it into a spring mixer…it’ll pretty well be “girls only”.

I would say “If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, that’s fine, you can meet up with them once you get there, but at this school, we make sure everyone is respected and feels good about themselves. Nobody gets left out. We are going to have an environment where everyone can dress their best, put on their best manners, elevate themselves and everyone else in a wholesome, festive environment, enjoy one another’s company, and just enjoy the evening and be the very best version of themselves — so let’s make this a night everyone can remember fondly. Guys, ask as many girls to dance as you can, girls, accept any dance invitation you get. Have fun!”.

 

[jeannetherese]

What state are you living in TC3033?

 

[TC3033]

What state are you living in TC3033?

Why does it matter?

 

[TC3033]

Well, then, let someone flag this post or that one as “off-topic”, and have it removed. That would be a moderator’s call.

Fine, let’s roll with it. I see threads get picked at for “let’s get it back on topic”, but of course mods usually decide whose “horse is being gored” before dumping something.

I spent eight years in public schools, in a small town where Catholics might have made up 3 or 4 percent of the population, so I would say I know quite a bit about public schools, 40-50 years ago, anyway.

It sounds like you know a sheltered, outdated, even biased little bit, TBH.

Catholicism was never even so much as brought up one single time .

OK…

My 8th grade science teacher was Catholic (this I only learned after I became Catholic and saw her at Mass) but, to my knowledge, none others were.

Um…OK. I know more than multiple teachers of mine that were/are Catholic (my Catholic wife even teaches at a public school…gasp)

 

[TC3033]

Cont’

Religious instruction was understood to be something you got at church on Sunday.

Wholehearted agreed…if you’re going to a public school.

In more cosmopolitan

We’re highly not cosmo here in this farm community. Like I said, if you don’t want to send your kids to public schools than don’t. I, for one, wouldn’t be on board with Catholicism being taught in public schools. It shouldn’t be…not everyone is Catholic (and the whole separation of church and state thing). If that’s an issue for you…that’s what private schools are for. That doesn’t, somehow diminish, the level of education.

Of course non-Catholics can teach secular subjects at Catholic schools…
doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Your statement up thread sounds contradictory.

But I really doubt that many schools, other than the most severely Catholic ones, spend much time going into detail about the period from roughly AD 400 to 1400.

We did. How can you base a doubt without knowing?

“If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, that’s fine, you can meet up with them once you get there, but at this school, we make sure everyone is respected and feels good about themselves. Nobody gets left out. We are going to have an environment where everyone can dress their best, put on their best manners, elevate themselves and everyone else in a wholesome, festive environment, enjoy one another’s company, and just enjoy the evening and be the very best version of themselves — so let’s make this a night everyone can remember fondly. Guys, ask as many girls to dance as you can, girls, accept any dance invitation you get. Have fun!”.

Honestly…the guys aren’t going to show up. The most fun thing about prom is: Picking up your date, the corsage, pictures, dinner, etc… We’re going to go out to dinner before hand, look at each other and say “ya…let’s just skip it.”

We’re never going to agree on this one. If you don’t have a date, going with a group has been a real “thing” for over 20 years.

To the bolded: That was the rule at my kid’s 5th grade dance…all of us parents rolled our eyes at it.

Honestly, if you were to put out this statement as a principal, be ready for the same amount of parents to “storm the school” as the OP.

 

[jeannetherese]

Because I was under the impression that you were a Californian, based on posts upthread and thoughtAncient and Medieval History was being offered in high school, which runs counter to the California High School program since, at least, 2016. I wondered if you might be drawing from data which is no longer current or, perhaps had relocated.
Here’s the current high school program. Dropping ancient and medieval history in high school has been implemented in many areas with history being taught from the Renaissance on.
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/hs/cf/hssframework.asp
In regard to the sex ed some of the content in the attatched article seems awfully extreme for 12 year olds.
And, all students are automatically opted in, unless a parent sends a request in writing that they be opted out. This, in a state with over 40 recognized languages and large numbers of first generation immigrants who will have limited English.
your two units, in the case of one parent, was months of classes, before the parent discovered what was being taught. Are you conflating units with semesters?
From the article: "She says the diversity and inclusion curriculum shouldn’t be taught before puberty: “It’s most important to understand themselves. Too much complicated information to the 10-year-old kid. It’s not age appropriate.”

Parents blame the new focus on diversity and inclusion for some of the more explicit information in sexual education. Since educators are teaching about gay and straight couplings, they’re also explaining more than procreative, vaginal sex. Recommended resources show illustrations of oral and anal sex as well."
This, for 4th and 5th (10 year old) graders?

Parents Protest California Sex Education Curriculum | Greater LA | KCRW

 

[TC3033]

Because I was under the impression that you were a Californian,

Nope

based on posts upthread and thoughtAncient and Medieval History was being offered in high school,

It is where I went to HS, in reply to a statement that “you’ll never get that in public school”

And, all students are automatically opted in,

Correct. CA is an “opt out state”, I said that multiple posts ago. So is the state I live in.

your two units,

I said, two weeks.

in the case of one parent, was months of classes, before the parent discovered what was being taught.

Link to a sex ed curriculum that lasts months?

Also, I noticed from your link that the curriculum (at least from the PPT slides) is different than what was from the OP…which is it? The PPT wasn’t from Teen Talk.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

HomeschoolDad:

I spent eight years in public schools, in a small town where Catholics might have made up 3 or 4 percent of the population, so I would say I know quite a bit about public schools, 40-50 years ago, anyway.

It sounds like you know a sheltered, outdated, even biased little bit, TBH.

I will concede the “outdated” part, but my perception is that any “values” taught in public schools these days are of the politically correct, progressivist variety. I do not totally object to this.

HomeschoolDad:

Religious instruction was understood to be something you got at church on Sunday.

Wholehearted agreed…if you’re going to a public school.

Perhaps I should have been more precise. Of course I do not expect explicitly religious teachings in a public school. I had more in mind values, ethics, right and wrong, good and evil, true and false. These questions were not delved into at my public school. Are they nowadays, outside of the politically correct consciousness-raising that is de rigueur in all public education — racism, women’s rights, tolerance, diversity, Holocaust awareness, LGBT concerns, and so on?

HomeschoolDad:

Of course non-Catholics can teach secular subjects at Catholic schools…

doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Your statement up thread sounds contradictory.

And what statement was that?

HomeschoolDad:

But I really doubt that many schools, other than the most severely Catholic ones , spend much time going into detail about the period from roughly AD 400 to 1400.

We did. How can you base a doubt without knowing?

Just common sense and observation of what people are generally taught, and what they’re not taught. One thousand years of Catholic history are summarily dismissed by virtually everybody as “the Dark Ages” — no further discussion necessary. If there are all of these public schools that spend so much time discussing what happened during those years, I’ve never heard of them.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

Honestly…the guys aren’t going to show up. The most fun thing about prom is: Picking up your date, the corsage, pictures, dinner, etc… We’re going to go out to dinner before hand, look at each other and say “ya…let’s just skip it.”

We’re never going to agree on this one. If you don’t have a date, going with a group has been a real “thing” for over 20 years.

No, we’re not. I guess I just felt sorry for all the girls who didn’t get asked, and who in a small Catholic school were conspicuous by their absence. Again, I always pull for the underdog. It’s not a whole lot of fun for the girls who don’t get picked up because nobody asked them.

This has been a good discussion — you’ve been a gentleman (I’m assuming you are a man, if not, then “gentlelady”) and it’s been kept amiable and well within the bounds of Christian charity — but I can’t say any more about the advantages, as I see them, of “no-date, no-pressure, no-stigma, everybody-have-fun-tonight proms”. It’s not the hill I’d choose to die on, but I would “choose to die” on the hill of everybody being treated with kindness, sensitivity, respect, and compassion. Again, maybe I’m just too tender-hearted. Or maybe not.

 

[EssentialBeing]

Public schools in the more liberal nations have turned into weak, easily influenced institutions. In Australia, public schools teach children as young as 6 years old that its OK to be gay, its OK to be confused about your gender.

I am in 2 minds & agree to some extent that the public system needs to reflect the sentiment of the majority suggesting that the opposes are in the minority. On the other hand it is lacking guidance, knowledge & changing itself to suite the needs of the pupil instead of shaping & educating our students to accept the orderly function in which we all live.

 

[VanitasVanitatum]

That doesn’t, somehow diminish, the level of education.

School eduacation isn’t exactly that useful.

 

[Peter_Jericho]

curriculum promoting homosexuality

I know right? I’m so tired of these people pushing their ex-straight conversion therapy.

 

[TC3033]

 

[jeannetherese]

In Washington state, signatures are being gathered to support a referendum to repeal the latest sex ed in schools legislation.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Opponents of Sex Ed Legislation Push Referendum So Voters Can Decide | The Daily Chronicle