– Packed with credentials as a child psychologist, clinical assistant professor at Rutgers University for Family Medicine and Behavioral Health, and post doctorate work both in family medicine and behavioral health care after graduating magna cum laud from the University of Toledo, Margaret Chan, Ph.D., spoke as a mother of two youngsters in the public school on everything she feels is wrong with the new health curriculum the Board of Education approved at its meeting Monday night.
The same approval is anticipated in Atlantic Highlands when that Board of Education meets this week.
Dr. Chan implored the Board not to vote on the curriculum , explaining it was not comprehensive or transparent and was only presented in part to parents and other interested persons late Friday. She asked for a complete syllabus of alternative health assignments and charged the letter to parents of students in the school “appeared curiously deceptive.”
Dr. Chan also objected to only receiving the curriculum posted online after 3 p.m. Friday, saying there was insufficient time to review it as well as it being absent examples of how sensitive health concepts including gender identity, expression, sexual orientation, masturbation, and oral and anal sex would be taught.
Dr. Chan was one of several parents who spoke out against the new curriculum which goes into effect for the school year, with parents questioning why students have to opt out of classes at their parents’ wishes rather than opt in, wondering whether opting out would cause children in the K-6 grades impacted by the new curriculum to feel separated, embarrassed, or insecure because of their parents saying they should not take specific classes.
“It is my professional and expert opinion that elementary school children are developmentally not ready to meet the health performance expectations outlined in a letter sent to 2d,5th, and 8th graders last week. She pointed out in written statements distributed to each of the board members and School Superintendent Dr. Tara Beams that “ They are still in concrete operational stage in brain development…” Concrete thinking is black and white thinking, she told the board.
Many other parents present at the meeting agreed, adding their own comments and questions about who will be teaching the classes…a female teacher in Highlands and a male teacher in Atlantic Highlands since that is how the faculties are comprised at this time, the impact socially with his peers for students who parents opt out of their learning in school about sexual differences, parts of the body, masturbation and similar topics, and why opting in to the classes could be a better option for children in K-6 grades.
However, Superintendent Dr. Tara Beams explained to all parents that the district cannot change state standards and teaching programs, but she assured them that this district is approaching the education conservatively, with no program for Pre-K students, not required by state law, and using the Great Body Shop as one of the educational means for the classes. The superintendent also pointed out that regularly scheduled ‘newspapers,” similar to former Weekly readers are part of the program, using cartoon figures to make learning easier and more educational for young children. Failing to follow the state mandates, she said, could result on the district receiving a poor rating, losing state funding, and other serious changes for a district that does not follow state mandates. “We’re not trying to force you into anything,” Dr. Beams told parents, with parent Brian Phair noting it appears the board is conservative in its approach to the the regulations.
Information received by the parents indicated their opt out decisions had to be made almost immediately, but the board, though appearing willing to extend that deadline in order to give parents more opportunity to revie1w the information and make their decisions took no action and did not ask Dr. Beams to discuss the matter further. The superintendent added, however, it should not present a problem to extend the time for parents to review the information forwarded to them on Friday, but the school would still follow the state mandate. Beams said, “the state guide is the blueprint” for what has to be taught. And “
The superintendent cited the second grade class as an example of teaching the physical characteristics of both genders, and the new regulations continue to teach that, however “we can’t change the state standards.”
Parents also questioned the lack of recess for sixth grade students, with Dr. Beams indicating she was unaware of complaints and she and the principal will look into the program and see if changes should be made.
