Program focuses on gender fluidity

Dear Editor: In my opinion, the anti-bullying programs focuses primarily on the teaching of acceptance of gender fluidity. The attendance at the School District 23 meeting showed was countable proof that the vast majority (I estimate 90 out of the 100) of the members of the community that attended do not want SOGI 123 to be continued.

Parents listened to other informed parents about the contents of the material. Even with the limited amount of time allowed during the question period, it was obvious that parents had learned enough about the program’s mandate; to encourage sexual gender choice for all ages of children, to realize that the choice of teaching that the decision was resting in the hands of the schools and not the parents. Material for the introduction of sexual fluidity is provided on a free website for use in all classes kindergarten to Grade 12.

I was told that a Grade 1 teacher in the district had to allow someone to teach SOGI 123 to her students.

Board chairwoman Moyra Baxter informed the public that the program was provided at no cost to the school board. I’m unsure how this is possible. As a past public school teacher, I am aware at the amount of influence a teacher can have on a student. It’s a position of trust and a privilege. Some topics can tread on the ethics and understandings of others. It’s not our job to change the views of a child and their family. Unless it has been mandated, but SOGI 123 does not even have its own curriculum yet, the superintendent mistakenly referred to it having its own curriculum. The correct word is material that is to be used in as many parts of the curriculum as it will fit.

The school board is the place for parents to discuss their concerns about their family’s education in the public school system. It is the place where parents, teachers, administrators, union reps and school workers are recognized. Telling the parents that they were speaking to the wrong group and that they should be speaking to the Minister of Education seems like a pretty far-fetched suggestion to be made. Contact with local government officials can be intimidating let alone the head of education for the province of B.C.

The material in SOGI 123 deserves far more attention than school boards are giving it. Let’s open this discussion for everyone instead of allowing of closing the conversation and preventing the public to accurate knowledge about content, costs, etc.

I still believe that the strongest family unit promotes a mother and father living in a heterosexual household. I didn’t say it’s the only, I said it’s the strongest. Debbie Dickerson-Pogue

Kelowna