No Permission Slips Needed to Tie up your Kid
I'm back to another story I was working on last month, the widely read "Eden Prairie 9th Graders Hazed to Teach History". I heard back from Camie Melton, Communications Director at EP Schools, after I requested a copy of the permission slip. There was no permission slip only a note home to parents telling them what they'd be doing with their kids that day:
Here it is:
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Your student will be participating in a simulation of the “Underground Railroad” on Thursday, November 19th and Friday, November 20th in 9B American History. The purpose of this simulation is to create cultural empathy and understanding. This historical re-enactment will be authentic and as true to history as possible, while at the same time assuring the emotional and physical safety of all students. The simulation may evoke powerful and strong emotions for the participants involved, so we encourage you to discuss the experience with your student.
Students will participate in this simulation “rain or shine” so appropriate clothes are very important. Please make sure your student has a warm jacket/coat, hat, gloves, boots or shoes (no sandals, flip flops), and rain gear if necessary for their day. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s teacher or Nanette Missaghi (Integration Program Coordinator).
Sincerely,
The 9th Grade Social Studies Team
No permission was requested from the parents. "Your student will", "Students will".
I won't even get into the idea that "the historical re-enactment will be authentic and as true to history as possible". This "re-enactment" had absolutely nothing to do with teaching the history of the Underground Railroad. The Eden Prairie Schools admits that when it tells the true purpose of the activity "to create cultural empathy." This is the radical educational ideology of Glenn Singleton right down at the classroom level. You see, not only is it the teachers' fault that there is a racial achievement gap, it is your kid's fault. Your white 9th grader had better get some cultural empathy quick so that they can help EP Schools close this achievement gap.
The note leaves out the fact that the students would be brought off-campus that day, it leaves out them fact that they would be blindfolded, it leaves out the fact that they may even be roped up and yelled at and humiliated. It most certainly leaves out the fact that Eden Prairie Schools called the local papers for publicity for the event, and that they may be photographed and videotaped. I wonder what parents would have done had those facts been included in the letter? I wonder how many kids even gave this letter to their parents? It didn't require any signature. Most 9th graders I know would have probably tossed it out.. Most 9th graders I know are still pretty immature, they're judgement isn't 100% solid yet, they're still learning, they're easily influenced by peer-pressure, they want to go along with the group to be accepted...and that's exactly what's wrong with this kind of sick, twisted learning activity.
Teachers are not allowed to touch students, they can be sued if they grab a student or intimidate them in any way. I know teachers who have told me the only reason they belong to Education Minnesota is some sort of protection should there be a lawsuit. Yet paid professional actors ($11,000 of a state-taxpayer funded grant went to this stupid exercise) are allowed to do all of these things and more, and they don't even need a permission slip to do it. You see, as long as it's in the name of "diversity" the schools can do anything they want to do. So, who pays the bill should a parent decide to sue the district? Oh, that's right....the taxpayers. Why worry?
Eden Prairie Schools' Integration Budget also shows $20,000 for "Oak Point Underground Railroad", I wonder what they'll do with the 7th and 8th graders? My guess is: this time they won't call the newspapers.
The entire video is still up at Sun Current's Site, watch it now before the District gets a clue and asks for it to be pulled.
Cross posted at www.theactivistnextdoor.com
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