Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE):NYSED:SSAE Our group identity is not fundamental to who we are as people. I found it even more concerning that someone would call out an officer by name and accuse them of many things but the accuser, themselves, refused to sign their name. I understand if your own connection to this problematic group might make this difficult for you to process. Perhaps the members should follow Curt Schillings lead and move to Tennessee. If this seems like hyperbole, please ask your children. Discover Woodward Children's Center. We conserve land through outreach and restoration. Save Our Schools - Facebook Save Our Schools is an ambitious grassroots organization intent on bringing transparency to parents and tax payers across town, county, state, and country. School attendance zone. Furthermore, to take this education away from children is to harm children who may be confused about their gender as it will isolate them and make them feel alone/weird/different. We learned this effort is coordinated, strategic, and was planned well in advance. We hope for a bright future in Westwood. Politically radical activists are instructing our teachers. We think we know why. Equity isn't even a distant relative of equality. It is time to stop the mudslinging and sit down with the school system and discuss a curriculum that will meet the needs of all its residents, not one particular group. While the words themselves are laudable, the real-life implications for our kids have been disastrous. The indication that you are open to discussion does not appear obvious or genuine when you use forums such as this article and public comment in community meetings to get your points across. One Westwood | Douglas Emmett Oliver, thank you for your response. We were united by a concern for our children in the Westwood schools. Teachers are called upon to welcome all students, no matter who they are, what they choose to call themselves or what they believe. This reality has saddened families who moved to Westwood for the schools. Instead of striving for academic rigor, excellence, and civic virtue, our schools were now laser-focused on a highly politicized version of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I think your intentions were well intended but there were definite flaws in its presentation. The teacher asked, "can anyone give me an example of how the music industry is racist?" Not to mention the tragically misinformed and nakedly ignorant platitudes. Families feel forced to take on a significant financial burden for the benefit of their children. Visit the SupportHub for answers to common questions and to open a support ticket. I am disgusted that members of my home town feel this way. We partner with founders to create a project plan that includes goals and budgetary targets per phase. I want to lead a project, but don't yet have an idea. What can scientists, academic institutions, and scientific organizations do? (229) 336-7992. The reason racism is talked about in piano lab is because the teacher wants everyone to truly know about the music industry and the systemic racism embedded into it. It felt so out of touch with reality to me. There can be a happy medium. Examples of this are special education programming such as IEPs and 504s. They should be ashamed of themselves for trying to force people to be racist and homophobic just like them." EDIT: We do not speak for the entirety of the Westwood student and graduate population. Imagine you were the kindergartner and believe that you were born in the wrong body along with having your parents say its wrong. They seek to redefine our schools and our society in a way that is unrecognizable to the world we grew up in. Our group respects all the residents of our town, and represents different races, genders, religions, political parties and beliefs. The reports on this page provide information about school quality from multiple sources. The assignment focuses on the following opinion piece, Silence Is Never Neutral, Neither Is Science., https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/silence-is-never-neutral-neither-is-science/. Location: 3750 Baychester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10466; Phone: 718-515-6780; Fax: 718-515-6785; Overview School Quality Reports. School Choice I agree whole heartedly with Stephanie's previous comment and would also like to add two points to consider with regards to this opinion piece: - Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts have been prevalent in many other local school districts for years before the pandemic (for example, Wellesley public schools established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Council in 2017), and are already further advanced in every other surrounding community. Many of our teachers have themselves become victims of the new ideology in Westwood. Darlene, The advert that you allowed to be published, itself, was anattack on many members of our community. This assignment does sound super sciency to us. This is their life. Who decided 6- and 7-year old's are mature enough for books on gender dysphoria? Why did our schools change this policy? For your reference, here is a line from their website: Many of the new initiatives [referring to this highly politicized version of DEI initiatives] were implemented while we were sheltering in our homes during 2020. - Joseph Aeschliman, "So sad that people still are capable of thinking like this. Following Massachusetts Gov. 132 were here. I had several people reach out to me asking what they could do, so I created a place for them to let their voices be heard (the form was spread via Instagram). Only more recently has the DEI acronym become a political flash point and the interpretation has become twisted in certain corners. For more on Westwood Minute's editorial policy, click here. I applaud the students who courageously shared their thoughts and concerns in response to the OneWestwood advertisement. - Madi Brady, "This is a disgrace to the school system. Do these same decision-makers think it is appropriate for our children to watch R-rated movies in elementary school? Total grant funds can approach up to $50,000 depending on the projects scope. One World Middle School at Edenwald - New York City Public Schools For those hearing this for the first time, we implore you to research the district's Professional Development on the district's website. Just as One Westwood does not represent the viewpoint of the entirety of the parent population, I and this article do not represent the entire student population. There is a reason it has become part of the curriculum- children are suffering! Sounds reasonable. That accusation is ridiculous. 200 Nahatan Street. by F.E. Trust me, people DO understand One Westwood's point of view. (see: Allison Borchers DEI update -curriculum changes 4/1/2021 on our website) The remaking of the Westwood schools is happening in plain sight. Just because people want to teach things to their children differently doesnt make them terrible people. The same parent conversed with the school nurse at the kindergarten orientation only two years earlier and was assured that human sexuality and/or "gender identity" was not discussed at the elementary school level. There are plenty of people who disagree with One Westwood's agenda from across the town, and I have voiced no personal opinion on any school committee candidate. What exactly changed that had our group so concerned? Thank you, to all the young people who speakout against hate and ignorance, I will continue to be fueled by you all. We are open to disagreement and encourage the exchange of ideas. Why is it ok to accuse someone of hatred and bias and then practice it? 1:12. Im happy that theOne Westwood is a small minority in the town. Non-white people will still encounter racial bias and discriminationour (lets face it90% white) kids will just be clueless and ignorant on how to be actively anti-racist. How can we, as a community, be against hatred and violence then participate in mudslinging of people or groups not of like mind? Of course children need to learn about these important issues that permeate modern society. but they are against it being taught when their students are not mature enough to understand it. We will continue to love our neighbors as ourselves, regardless of color, religion, special learning needs, or sexual preference, and remain open to healthy dialogue. If you were not already aware, Inclusive Westwood has been circulating a petition to promote DEI efforts across the community. As one of the co-founders of Inclusive Westwood, Im concerned about your assertions about our group making accusations, espousing hatred, name-calling, etc. Access all your DOE applications TeachHub, Google, iLearnNYC, Microsoft Office, Zoom, and morefrom one place. What is suitable at the high school level is not necessarily appropriate at the Sheehan. Gulags are pretty scary, but so are bad sentence structure and faulty semantics. I think parents have a right to be disappointed and its long overdue for them to share their concerns whether we, young adults/children like it or not. It is clear that this odious group is fully supporting one candidate. OPINION: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Westwood Minute Have a wonderful day! The Woodward Children's Center continues to strive to be the leader in providing excellence in special education service and support for students and their families challenged by the presence of disabling social, emotional, and behavioral disorders. While we are not looking to return to the 1950s, we would not mind returning to the 2010s. - anonymous, "I think this article has no faith in our children. Parks did not get . I have two sisters still in the schools and will fight tooth and nail to make sure they are exposed to the DEI education that they deserve and they need as kids." Its become apparent that our teachers have political bias that they are pushing on our children. We implore parents and teachers to see past the flowery language of anti-racism and equity. C'mon, you all know better than this. - In June of 2021, a parent of a first-grader discovered his child's class read a book on the topic of gender dysphoria (or transgenderism), along with a discussion of the Pride parade in Boston. Mayor Eric Adams stands with NYC School Chancellor, David Banks. (the important topics). Home - Prior Lake Savage Area Schools The mayor needs to stand up for charters, no . Lastly, the comment that One Westwood would like to return to the 2010s is concerning in that it implies that they support the common language of the earlier part of the decade (which includes homophobia, transphobia, ableist slurs, etc), but also implies that they think LGBTQ+ and racism issues were just nonexistent or less talked about, which is not true. Ignoring sciences legacy of racism or a wider culture shaped by white supremacy doesnt make scientists objective. It makes them complicit. NYC Schools Account NYCSA - New York City Public Schools Access forms for your child. DEI is not a theoretical exercise, but one that has real implications to every student population including Westwoods. Parent University seeks toeducate and empower families through free courses, resources, events, and activities. In the face of the radical new priorities in our schools and the hostile environment that has ensued, we do not feel animosity towards the administrators, school committee members, and parent activists who ushered in these changes. This was a form spread via social media. Nearby homes. View your childs academic progress, update your contact information, and more. The letter below is intended to inform residents of Westwood, MA about the origins and the mission of a new organization in our town. We support of ALL public schools, students, & teachers If addressing a particular person, please avoid wording that the other person could construe as an insult or attack. This history is important, because regardless of the important milestones in Civil Rights achieved during the 20th century, the biases still remain because the position that someone's grandma was in the 20s does have an effect on where their grandchild is today, that's just how time works, one thing leads to another. It borders on the edge of harassment and bullying. And One Westwood's perspective is NOT being kind to our children. - anonymous, "Westwood is a town the not only upholds white supremacy, but benefits from it directly. Access SupportHub. Thats already an issue within itself. Many of the new initiatives were implemented while we were sheltering in our homes during 2020. The Education Department intends to wipe out the federal debt of those who attended the for-profit school from 2002 . My Turn, Ella Jones: Save our school - Salisbury Post Its hateful white supremacy and heteronormativity disguised as a concern for education. All Rights Reserved. Its clear this is a very touchy subject and there has been a great deal of name calling and accusations because of one's thoughts, beliefs, and concerns. However, I was happy to learn about the DEI curriculum. Goal Setting/Family Conferencing - Early Childhood, Elementary, Kennedy (Gr. A tweak to how the federal Education Department calculates student loan payments means about 804,000 people will have the . I wonder if the authors of this article had parents or grandparents that were vets from WWII or Vietnam and I would ask them if they think that affected how their life turned out, I know that my grandfather's time in the WWII changed the course of my family history dramatically and the same goes for everyone who experiences a world altering event. Most stay quiet. Ironically, our families do not feel "included" in the new Westwood school district. As she suggests, do your research. M.G. Tina C, I'm pretty sure you have publicly commented on a candidate's social media that you are voting for them if you are looking for evidence. Here are two examples illustrating how the dramatic changes are impacting every grade level and every area of study. It explicitly states they are NOT against inclusion or diversity but rather want parents to be in charge of teaching certain topics to their children. Unless they stay in this town or one similar, theyare going to be immersed in a much more diverse world where work environments, both public and private, oftenhave DEI professional development. The letter intends to push back against the lies, slander and mistruths directed towards our group. Why are teachers discussing racial discrimination in a Piano Lab class? Edited by Lisa Chow. A horrible representation of our community." Some kind of validation (survey data, testimonials, etc.) Partly cloudy in the morning, sunny for the afternoon, overcast overnight. 6 are killed in stabbing at kindergarten in China Math scores literally have nothing to do with anything being discussed. Here are some of the projects weve funded: How long do projects last and what is the typical grant size? Overall, this article showcases the hateful attitude and opinions of One Westwood, which worries me as a resident and someone who cares about the education, mental health, and safety of children in the Westwood school system." This post expresses the views and opinions of the author(s) and not necessarily that of Westwood Minute management or staff. Thanks to Mr. Ken Mackin, Ms. Nicole Moses, Ms. Jacquie Garcia, Mr. Adrian Webb-Johnson, Mr. Chris Hancock and Mr.Carl D'Angio for contributing this opinion articleon behalf of One Westwoodto Westwood Minute. Take classes in Parent University. Has the idea of "age-appropriate" been thrown out of the window? Being different is what makes us unique and what makes us, us." All of us pay taxes and have a right to a discussion and a balance of what their children learn in the school system. Our tax dollars paid for overtly political professional development over the last two years. Save Our Schools. We think we know why. Site by KMA Web Design. Comments about gulags are NOT showing civility. The city's own duty. https://westwoodminute.town.news/g/westwood-ma/post/73248/response-one-westwood-westwood-students-speak-out-favor-dei-our-schools, Summer Sounds: Nectarine Girl + Sweetie Perform, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PhaiM8YepNCOxr3VNPLY9ozPTKVejROd/edit, Arrival of Climate Crisis in MA as Rain, Flooding Add to Series of Extreme Weather Events, "The climate crisis is very much here." This highly politicized DEI worldview is the lens for which all learning and teaching is to be viewed. I love Westwood and believe in its improvement, and I take comfort in knowing that there are great teachers, students, and parents who will not succumb to the logic of an article like this. I am sadthat there are people in this town who think like this. Westwood Schools (2023 Profile) - Camilla, GA At Westwood we educate the whole child through rigorous lessons, after school clubs, social skill building, and our family first atmosphere. Secondly, the assumptions that you are claiming people are incorrectly making are actually quite clear from One Westwood's public statements:- Trying to exclude conversations regarding gender and race from schools IS actively against diversity and inclusion.- Trying to control what discussions can happen around race in schools IS racist.- Using the terms "gender dysphoria" and "sexual preference" instead of transgender and sexual identity IS homophobic and transphobic.- Despite the bizarre comparison with gulags, it is at least clear that One Westwood is against equity. By talking about diversity and gender in our young classes children can learn to make those decisions on their own without the help of adults who have their own preferences. Also was this a district wide survey, was every student given the opportunity to respond, or was it only given to certain individuals? I think most of these children sound more informed and educatedthan you and all of the authors of theOne Westwood article. Practice what is being preached, there is no room for hatred only acceptance. Awesome! 5,055 likes. In its revitalized approach to grant funding, the Foundation takes an incubator-style approach, providing seed funding to broadly-defined educational projects in the areas of Recreation, Environment & Safety, Early Childhood & K-12 Education, and Adult Education. We dont teach calculus in the first grade; we certainly shouldnt be teaching gender theory. That's their prerogative and a polite society would make that individual welcome in their community. Also, as high schoolers who are soon to be in college, there is nothing wrong with learning and talking about race when you sign up for a music class because that is what is going on in the real world. Private Only members can see who's in the group and what they post. I graduated in 2021 and let me tell you, I have learned so much from the few teachers that are trying to talk about race and lgbtq+ and it has helped me more than the quadratic formula. We were united by a concern for our children in the Westwood schools. With Michael Simon Johnson. It sounds like you're misunderstanding some key points and I'm happy to clarify for you. Save Our Schools | Home Education Freedom empowers parents & students. I do not care which side of the fence one is on but rather that ones thoughts and feelings be relayed in a more dignified manner. If you experience difficulty accessing any online content of functionality on Westwood Unified School District's website, please contact Administrative Assistant, Trena Smith at tsmith@westwoodusd.org or (530)256-2311 to request the information in an alternative format, or to provide feedback on how Westwood Unified School District can improve . Reports also include information from formal school visits and a variety of student achievement metrics. Explore the Education Freedom Report Card and find out how you can get involved today. There are three ways you can play a role in a project grant: I/We have a project idea and want to make it happen. What does it mean to be a global citizen? The points of view that they are sharing are hateful and should be called out as such.- One Westwood is also clearly not seeking to practice acceptance of people or ideas that are different than their own. We shared many stories and experiences from the last two years. Isnt this a more acceptable way to handle the diversity on these issues? Juniors - Westwood Mass School District Charlie Baker's announcement that the statewide requirement for masks in public schools would end Feb. 28, the Westwood School District has decided to lift its mandate at the end of the month By Oscar Margain Published February 11, 2022 Updated on February 11, 2022 at 12:19 am NBC Universal, Inc. Do these same decision-makers think it is appropriate for our children to watch R-rated movies in elementary school? To think that teaching the real history of things, is promoting some kind of agenda is absurd and exposing children to new concepts of gender will be normalized. While we believe they are terribly misguided and their initiatives are destructive, we think they're well-intentioned. Who is One Westwood? Official profile of the Westwood Schools, serving the children and families of Westwood, MA.. Many marginalized people have had their stories left out of the narrative and it is my obligation to adjust my teaching. Report bullying. What exactly changed that had our group so concerned? Westwood schools used to believe in these bedrock principles. We found comfort that we were not alone yet frustrated at how omnipresent these changes had become. The fact that parents are offended by this, goes to show how behind their thinking is. A group for parents, concerned about the direction of Westwood public schools. And disagreeing with diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly in the manner in which OW has done so, is literally racist and homophobic. Our schools are the first district-wide E-STEM schools in the state of Minnesota. Everyones opinion matters. WESTWOOD Dozens of local residents and teachers packed a five-hour meeting of the local school board Thursday night, rebuking board members who appeared to . - MA EAA Sec. How Clarence Thomas Came to Reject Affirmative Action Theyre complaining about politicizing education, but being LGBTQ or experiencing discrimination as a racial minority isnt politicsits part of your identity. As a parent you are there to help them along their journey, not suppress them into beliefs that you feel are right.