News

More intense discussions before board about LGBTQ acceptance, education at local schools

Day of Silence prompts latest debate at SRVUSD

Clashes between outspoken critics of access to material and discussion on gender and sexuality in public schools and openly LGBTQ students, staff and allies continued at the San Ramon Valley Unified School District's most recent board meeting, following a raucous and lengthy meeting on policies around material in school libraries at their previous meeting.

SRVUSD logo.

In a presentation on resolutions that were already approved by the board but highlighted at the March 14 meeting, district educational equity director Hong Nguyen introduced this year's Day of Silence in a presentation.

"It is a day that takes place this year on Friday, April 14," Nguyen said. "It's observed by those who choose to take a day-long vow of silence throughout the whole day to show support as well as to be a show of empathy for those that feel voiceless within our schools and across our country."

"While concentrated on our LGBTQ+ students, the Day of Silence is a day to show support for all students so that way we know they can be their authentic selves and because some of our students are voiceless within our schools, they can't be their authentic selves all the time," she continued.

The SRVUSD board adopted a resolution recognizing the day following a successful petition from faculty and student groups in 2016, with the Day of Silence first coming into fruition in 1996. The day is now observed by many SRVUSD schools, but not all, according to Nguyen.

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"It is a student-driven initiative," Nguyen said. "The students that do participate in it, they practice empathy and hope and really to carry on the message of hope to those students that in our LGBTQ community feel alone or feel silenced or in this case feel isolated."

Despite the growing popularity of the event and LGBTQ acceptance more broadly in the years since its inception in 1996 -- leading up to the 2016 board resolution recognizing students' participation -- and despite the item not being up for a vote that night, it was met with skepticism and criticism in several public comments that ensued.

"I would be very curious to note what is the cost of a single day of operation for every school within the San Ramon Valley Unified School District that recognizes the day of silence," Lisa Disbrow said. "I think it would be a hefty price tag -- staff, heating, electricity -- just the cafeteria lunch, all of that that adds up. I don't think the taxpayers of California feel very appreciated when such an enormous gift is mistreated for a political purpose."

"If students want to have a political action it should happen separate from the instructional day. The instructional day is for everyone, not everyone shares the vision nor do they have to -- there's no law, it's not a moral right or wrong; it's a choice -- and yet all of the students will be impacted," she continued.

Mike Arata, a regular attendee and critic at SRVUSD board meetings, claimed that the Day of Silence was part of more deeply rooted, politically motivated effort to "indoctrinate" students that formed as part of a secret collaboration between LGBTQ activists decades ago, with changing views and practices on gender and sexuality coming in the wake of such efforts.

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"Today the trendy dysphoria du jour is the psychosis or the flight from reality that is transgenderism, a delusion which declares insanely that men and boys can become women and girls and vice versa or that people can simply be non-binary or gender-fluid," Arata said. "San Ramon Valley schools seamlessly introduce and reinforce such neuroses even in the youngest grades."

He went on to argue that the Day of Silence was being recognized by participating students and teachers at the expense of academics.

"The Day of Silence deliberately interferes with the normal academic day as you heard since students involved in such activism are permitted not to speak in class and teachers are encouraged to cooperate in such interference," Arata said.

Bob Allen, an openly gay statistics teacher at California High School, refuted comments from Disbrow and Arata, arguing that they were out of touch with the reality of issues facing students and their growing openness to identifying as, and accepting, members of LGBTQ groups.

"As far as the taxpayer money, I wish people in this district would be more concerned about students who don't attend class, students who have issues where they don't feel comfortable coming to class," Allen said.

"As a teacher currently in the district, I do not see how participation in the Day of Silence has cost any tax money at all," he continued. "It is a student-led recognition and to be sure some of our teachers, most of our teachers, have great relationships with the queer community -- some do need to be reminded again that 23% of our students identify as not straight; 2% of our students identify as trans."

"23% of our students is more than two high schools in our district," Allen added. "2% of our students is one high school gym. And these students do feel affected by what goes on in the classroom. And so the Day of Silence is a nice reminder that teachers, that school employees could be a bit more forgiving."

While the board didn't move to change the resolution recognizing the Day of Silence that was passed years ago, trustees did weigh in on the debate at the end of the public comment period on the item.

"I think we need to ask ourselves what the cost is on students to the marginalization that happens, the shaming that happens, the discrimination that happens in our schools at times in our community -- in this board room -- what that cost is on our students, and we need to understand that an opportunity like this resolution, an opportunity like the Day of Silence … students are the ones that drive the Day of Silence, that participate in the day of silence in our schools today," Area 3 Trustee Laura Bratt said.

"So I think we need to understand and value the fact that this again is an opportunity for us to center students who are asking us to center them and their silence and to amplify that silence, and to really understand and value the fact that there are times when our students feel silenced, and that is just not OK," she continued.

Student Trustee Anya Ayyapan also offered insight into the experience on the ground for students participating in the Day of Silence.

"Teachers can choose to participate in discussions, students who are participating in the Day of Silence are not exempt from tests or exams -- the instructional curriculum continues as planned," Ayyapan said. "Students who choose not to verbally speak, they have the option to write a lot of the time. But more than that, it seems really counterintuitive but the day of silence actually spurs a lot of conversation on campus."

Nonetheless, debate surrounding the larger landscape of discussions and material on LGBTQ gender and sexuality in schools continued to rage during the open public comment portion of the most recent meeting, as well as at past meetings.

"This sensitive subject needs to be taught at home and not in the schools," Julie Pelley said. "The schools need to teach reading, writing, math, science, art and music and PE, and not sexually driven kindness, respect, and manners 101."

Steven Pelley spoke subsequently, emphasizing that he and his wife, the previous speaker, had lived in the area for decades since "Bishop Ranch was a ranch."

"Recent developments in the schools here have led me to believe that the public schools here are promoting social engineering by pushing your values on students and families," Steven Pelley said. "Whether one agrees or not, this has no place in a public school. Many of these views are divisive and polarizing. It should be left to the students' families to deal with these issues as they arise within their own framework and their values."

In a separate comment during the open public comment period, Allen emphasized the importance of acceptance for all students, and reiterated that openly LGBTQ students make up a statistically sizable portion of those served by the district. He also emphasized that LGBTQ identities, culture and discussions are not recent developments.

"Unlike some of the people who've spoken recently, and this is a huge assumption -- they're probably straight -- and I knew I was gay in seventh grade in 1980 ... needless to say, there were no resources available for me," Allen said. "At the age of 18, I made the decision to figure out who I am. The AIDS crisis put me back in the closet."

While the debates at recent board meetings -- including the previous one in which more than 30 commenters weighed in on an informational item outlining the district's existing policies for book acquisitions and complaints on Feb. 21 -- have centered on what is appropriate and healthy for students, Allen also noted that the heated debates were having an impact on him and other adults with skin in the game.

"I acknowledge the fact that as taxpayers and members of the community that anyone can comment at this meeting," Allen said. "That being said, please discount the diatribes of the gentleman who quotes Ed Code and board policy chapter and verse, but devolves into calling professionals, people, and organizations childish names, such as an immature reporter, doctor in air quotes, and a libertine organizations, usually in a spittle-flecked tirade. Then he retreats to the echo chamber that is the comments section of DanvilleSanRamon.com."

"Instead, listen to the parents and community members who can have a civil conversation about these matters," he continued. "Listen to those who want students to have information and yet are concerned about some materials."

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Jeanita Lyman
Jeanita Lyman joined the Pleasanton Weekly in September 2020 and covers the Danville and San Ramon beat. She studied journalism at Skyline College and Mills College while covering the Peninsula for the San Mateo Daily Journal, after moving back to the area in 2013. Read more >>

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More intense discussions before board about LGBTQ acceptance, education at local schools

Day of Silence prompts latest debate at SRVUSD

by / Danville San Ramon

Uploaded: Fri, Mar 17, 2023, 5:44 am

Clashes between outspoken critics of access to material and discussion on gender and sexuality in public schools and openly LGBTQ students, staff and allies continued at the San Ramon Valley Unified School District's most recent board meeting, following a raucous and lengthy meeting on policies around material in school libraries at their previous meeting.

In a presentation on resolutions that were already approved by the board but highlighted at the March 14 meeting, district educational equity director Hong Nguyen introduced this year's Day of Silence in a presentation.

"It is a day that takes place this year on Friday, April 14," Nguyen said. "It's observed by those who choose to take a day-long vow of silence throughout the whole day to show support as well as to be a show of empathy for those that feel voiceless within our schools and across our country."

"While concentrated on our LGBTQ+ students, the Day of Silence is a day to show support for all students so that way we know they can be their authentic selves and because some of our students are voiceless within our schools, they can't be their authentic selves all the time," she continued.

The SRVUSD board adopted a resolution recognizing the day following a successful petition from faculty and student groups in 2016, with the Day of Silence first coming into fruition in 1996. The day is now observed by many SRVUSD schools, but not all, according to Nguyen.

"It is a student-driven initiative," Nguyen said. "The students that do participate in it, they practice empathy and hope and really to carry on the message of hope to those students that in our LGBTQ community feel alone or feel silenced or in this case feel isolated."

Despite the growing popularity of the event and LGBTQ acceptance more broadly in the years since its inception in 1996 -- leading up to the 2016 board resolution recognizing students' participation -- and despite the item not being up for a vote that night, it was met with skepticism and criticism in several public comments that ensued.

"I would be very curious to note what is the cost of a single day of operation for every school within the San Ramon Valley Unified School District that recognizes the day of silence," Lisa Disbrow said. "I think it would be a hefty price tag -- staff, heating, electricity -- just the cafeteria lunch, all of that that adds up. I don't think the taxpayers of California feel very appreciated when such an enormous gift is mistreated for a political purpose."

"If students want to have a political action it should happen separate from the instructional day. The instructional day is for everyone, not everyone shares the vision nor do they have to -- there's no law, it's not a moral right or wrong; it's a choice -- and yet all of the students will be impacted," she continued.

Mike Arata, a regular attendee and critic at SRVUSD board meetings, claimed that the Day of Silence was part of more deeply rooted, politically motivated effort to "indoctrinate" students that formed as part of a secret collaboration between LGBTQ activists decades ago, with changing views and practices on gender and sexuality coming in the wake of such efforts.

"Today the trendy dysphoria du jour is the psychosis or the flight from reality that is transgenderism, a delusion which declares insanely that men and boys can become women and girls and vice versa or that people can simply be non-binary or gender-fluid," Arata said. "San Ramon Valley schools seamlessly introduce and reinforce such neuroses even in the youngest grades."

He went on to argue that the Day of Silence was being recognized by participating students and teachers at the expense of academics.

"The Day of Silence deliberately interferes with the normal academic day as you heard since students involved in such activism are permitted not to speak in class and teachers are encouraged to cooperate in such interference," Arata said.

Bob Allen, an openly gay statistics teacher at California High School, refuted comments from Disbrow and Arata, arguing that they were out of touch with the reality of issues facing students and their growing openness to identifying as, and accepting, members of LGBTQ groups.

"As far as the taxpayer money, I wish people in this district would be more concerned about students who don't attend class, students who have issues where they don't feel comfortable coming to class," Allen said.

"As a teacher currently in the district, I do not see how participation in the Day of Silence has cost any tax money at all," he continued. "It is a student-led recognition and to be sure some of our teachers, most of our teachers, have great relationships with the queer community -- some do need to be reminded again that 23% of our students identify as not straight; 2% of our students identify as trans."

"23% of our students is more than two high schools in our district," Allen added. "2% of our students is one high school gym. And these students do feel affected by what goes on in the classroom. And so the Day of Silence is a nice reminder that teachers, that school employees could be a bit more forgiving."

While the board didn't move to change the resolution recognizing the Day of Silence that was passed years ago, trustees did weigh in on the debate at the end of the public comment period on the item.

"I think we need to ask ourselves what the cost is on students to the marginalization that happens, the shaming that happens, the discrimination that happens in our schools at times in our community -- in this board room -- what that cost is on our students, and we need to understand that an opportunity like this resolution, an opportunity like the Day of Silence … students are the ones that drive the Day of Silence, that participate in the day of silence in our schools today," Area 3 Trustee Laura Bratt said.

"So I think we need to understand and value the fact that this again is an opportunity for us to center students who are asking us to center them and their silence and to amplify that silence, and to really understand and value the fact that there are times when our students feel silenced, and that is just not OK," she continued.

Student Trustee Anya Ayyapan also offered insight into the experience on the ground for students participating in the Day of Silence.

"Teachers can choose to participate in discussions, students who are participating in the Day of Silence are not exempt from tests or exams -- the instructional curriculum continues as planned," Ayyapan said. "Students who choose not to verbally speak, they have the option to write a lot of the time. But more than that, it seems really counterintuitive but the day of silence actually spurs a lot of conversation on campus."

Nonetheless, debate surrounding the larger landscape of discussions and material on LGBTQ gender and sexuality in schools continued to rage during the open public comment portion of the most recent meeting, as well as at past meetings.

"This sensitive subject needs to be taught at home and not in the schools," Julie Pelley said. "The schools need to teach reading, writing, math, science, art and music and PE, and not sexually driven kindness, respect, and manners 101."

Steven Pelley spoke subsequently, emphasizing that he and his wife, the previous speaker, had lived in the area for decades since "Bishop Ranch was a ranch."

"Recent developments in the schools here have led me to believe that the public schools here are promoting social engineering by pushing your values on students and families," Steven Pelley said. "Whether one agrees or not, this has no place in a public school. Many of these views are divisive and polarizing. It should be left to the students' families to deal with these issues as they arise within their own framework and their values."

In a separate comment during the open public comment period, Allen emphasized the importance of acceptance for all students, and reiterated that openly LGBTQ students make up a statistically sizable portion of those served by the district. He also emphasized that LGBTQ identities, culture and discussions are not recent developments.

"Unlike some of the people who've spoken recently, and this is a huge assumption -- they're probably straight -- and I knew I was gay in seventh grade in 1980 ... needless to say, there were no resources available for me," Allen said. "At the age of 18, I made the decision to figure out who I am. The AIDS crisis put me back in the closet."

While the debates at recent board meetings -- including the previous one in which more than 30 commenters weighed in on an informational item outlining the district's existing policies for book acquisitions and complaints on Feb. 21 -- have centered on what is appropriate and healthy for students, Allen also noted that the heated debates were having an impact on him and other adults with skin in the game.

"I acknowledge the fact that as taxpayers and members of the community that anyone can comment at this meeting," Allen said. "That being said, please discount the diatribes of the gentleman who quotes Ed Code and board policy chapter and verse, but devolves into calling professionals, people, and organizations childish names, such as an immature reporter, doctor in air quotes, and a libertine organizations, usually in a spittle-flecked tirade. Then he retreats to the echo chamber that is the comments section of DanvilleSanRamon.com."

"Instead, listen to the parents and community members who can have a civil conversation about these matters," he continued. "Listen to those who want students to have information and yet are concerned about some materials."

Comments

Elizabeth
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 17, 2023 at 8:14 am
Elizabeth, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 17, 2023 at 8:14 am

Teacher Allen, you are a hero! Keep standing up to the bullies and trolls. Your support is making a positive difference in your students’ lives.


Malcolm Hex
Registered user
San Ramon
on Mar 17, 2023 at 10:12 am
Malcolm Hex, San Ramon
Registered user
on Mar 17, 2023 at 10:12 am

@Elizabeth,

Typical. People who don’t agree with your views become bullies and trolls, right? Nah, you want to normalize your views for the sake of politics.

Biden appointee Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Rachel Levine, promised that medically changing kids’ genders will soon be normalized.

Normalized? You okay with this? I’ll bet you the LGBTQ folks are. Do you, Elizabeth, feel medically changing kids’ gender is normal? Am I a bully for stating this is wrong, Elizabeth?

By the way, Allen stated that someone he doesn’t agree with retreats to the echo chamber that is the comments section of DanvilleSanRamon.com.

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black.




Lauren Wilcox
Registered user
San Ramon
on Mar 17, 2023 at 11:27 am
Lauren Wilcox, San Ramon
Registered user
on Mar 17, 2023 at 11:27 am

Kudos to Mike Arata for taking a stand on this controversial issue.

While our kids will be exposed to a plethora of societal abberations as they get older, let's keep K-12 public education focused on subjects that will better prepare them for viable & realistic vocations.

The progressive/permissive agenda is best suited for college coursework...if at all.

If the SRVUSD is intent on promoting deviancy, we will pull our children out of the school district.


Reader
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 17, 2023 at 1:16 pm
Reader, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 17, 2023 at 1:16 pm

The Day of Silence has existed since 1996. My adult children graduated from SRVHS. They had no problem with it and were not harmed in any way. Those who are actually in the classroom are the ones qualified to discuss the matter.


Lauren Jeffries
Registered user
San Ramon
on Mar 17, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Lauren Jeffries, San Ramon
Registered user
on Mar 17, 2023 at 1:53 pm

@Reader...not all teachers are fully qualified to teach or comment on LGBTQ issues.

A Day of Silence could also be utilized to convey a Don't Say Gay sentiment as well.

K-12 public schools are not the place to be advocating or promoting LGBTQ lifestyles.


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 17, 2023 at 8:13 pm
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 17, 2023 at 8:13 pm

To begin correcting the record: I said this about the “Day of Silence....”

It’s “an event orchestrated originally by notorious homosexual activist Kevin Jennings in the early 90s to mark a silence supposedly still imposed by society on homosexuals.

“But SRV Schools initiated their Gay-Straight Alliances 20 years ago, after a secretive two-year collaboration with Jennings’ Gay-Lesbian-Straight Education Network and the ‘Queer Youth Action Team.’ The great claim to fame of that group was its leader, who conducted ‘Bump and Grind with Safe Sex in Mind’ workshops.

“Today, even your elementary-school PRISM clubs and your read-aloud kindergarten teachers are involved in LGBTQ activism. So, as I’ve asked before, what other special interests and neuroses get to disrupt normal classroom activity here?

“Today, the trendy dysphoria du jour is the PSYchosis — that is, the flight from reality — of transgenderism, a delusion which declares insanely that men and boys can become women and girls, and vice versa — or that people can simply be ‘non-binary,’ or ‘gender fluid.’

“SRV Schools shamelessly cultivate and reinforce such fixations, even in the youngest grades. Instructional Coach Korby Saunders, for example, with self-declared plural pronouns ‘they and them,’ along with Country Club Principal Christy Glaser, has promoted a list of read-aloud picture books with homosexual and transgender themes, for little-kid story time, in [what they themselves calltheir ‘Queering the Classroom’ project.

“How about a Day of Silence,” I asked, “for those affected by multiple sclerosis, or by various forms of cancer, or for all of those who can’t see and/or can’t hear — i.e., for those who genuinely suffer in silence?”

March 14’s meeting video is at ( Web Link ) for those hoping to see “spittle-flecked tirade” examples — persecution-complexed Bob Allen’s dreamscape allegation. I speak at :56:45 and 1:39:56. That’s Allen sitting behind me.


LisaDisbrow
Registered user
another community
on Mar 18, 2023 at 5:27 pm
LisaDisbrow, another community
Registered user
on Mar 18, 2023 at 5:27 pm

"While concentrated on our LGBTQ+ students, the Day of Silence is a day to show support for all students so that way we know they can be their authentic selves and because some of our students are voiceless within our schools, they can't be their authentic selves all the time," stated Educational Equity director Nguyen. .
I question why a day of schooling should be concentrated on any group given SRVUSD is a public school system. Is it the practice of SRVUSD to concentrate on any other group of students for an entire school day? Is the lgbtqia+ group more special, more important than the many other groups of students? Is it now reasonable to consider that other groups who do not have a concentrated day focusing on their identity are also minimized, silenced, made invisible and unable to be their authentic selves because they do not have a concentrated day of recognition? I think these questions expose the flawed foundation of the Day Of Silence as discriminatory against other SRVUSD students and instrumental in establishing a district preferred identity group.
The lgbtqia+ group has their own unique flag. The gay pride/ progress flag can be seen in the hallways, on bulletin boards, some classrooms have hanging strings of multiple gay/progress flags.The lgbtqia+ group also uses the rainbow symbol. Rainbows are very common in SRVUSD. This symbol is used in borders, figurines, pins, clothing, notebooks... Do other groups have their symbols displayed in the hallways, on bulletin boards, in flags throughout all the SRVUSD hallways and classrooms? Why not? Does it mean the other students identities, needs and authenticity are invalidated every day they attend school but don't experience a concentrated day of whole school focus?
Let's consider the funding for the Educational Equity director salary that starts at $167,000. What other groups have a director? Is SRVUSD exposing their favoritism? Just follow the $$$.


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 18, 2023 at 10:06 pm
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 18, 2023 at 10:06 pm

My descriptors for certain individuals and groups further agitated math teacher Bob Allen. Context/perspective, including what I’ve actually said, is needed:

“Immature reporter”: “An immature East Bay Times reporter falsely attributed Feb. 21 SRVUSD Board-meeting outbursts to those OPPOSING pornography in District high school libraries. Catcallers and downshouters were instead some of the porn promoters, as the reporter could readily see.”

“Doctor in air quotes”: “‘Doctor’ (EdD) Christy Glaser, Country Club’s ‘queering the classroom’ principal, has listed her March school-wide readings, including ‘Jacob’s New Dress’ for TK-K. (A kindergarten boy prefers girls’ dresses in his school’s ‘dress-up room,’ and insists he’s a princess.)….”

Additionally now: In my experience long ago as a 20-year teacher — now, even more so — the term “Doctor” in reference to “professional educators” is generally a title awarded more for persistence in fatuous coursework and foolish theses than for useful scholarship. Further, it confuses kids, who think like Whoopi Goldberg. She wanted “Doctor Jill Biden” to become Surgeon General.

“Libertine organizations”: This referred to my comment about school librarians whose collections include pornography: “These librarians cite the American Library Association among supposed validating authorities, though ALA opposes ANY restriction of library material based on age or content ( Web Link ). The other porn boosters these librarians quote are essentially libertine-librarian echo chambers.”

DanvilleSanRamon as an alleged “echo chamber” itself? What liberals (and many libertines) cannot stand is two-way discussion — especially of teacher-conducted brainwashing and other nonfeasance and outright misfeasance in schools. DanvilleSanRamon comments allow the kind of thought exchange which biased newspapers like the East Bay Times typically skew or disallow altogether these days.


Jennifer
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 19, 2023 at 7:43 am
Jennifer, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 19, 2023 at 7:43 am

At school your focus should be learning. Stick to the three R's. Your sexual orientation is irrelevant. Nobody cares.


An Open Minded Parent
Registered user
Walnut Creek
on Mar 19, 2023 at 10:25 am
An Open Minded Parent, Walnut Creek
Registered user
on Mar 19, 2023 at 10:25 am

In lieu of these controversial curriculum addendums, a required sensitivity course
should be implemented to promote the acceptance of all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and sexual orientations.

This would be a positive step towards reducing bullying and alleged hate crimes.

We should not encourage our children to be racist and homophobic individuals.

The SRVUSD has the right idea but they are taking it too far with their enforced curriculum pertaining to the LGBTQ issues.

Like earlier 'moments of silence', this proposed day of silence should be devoted to all who have suffered from the bigotry and racism.

Some people cannot understand or accept this day of rememberance because they have not endured the same kind of economic and racist hardships that countless minority peoples have suffered nor the vitriole and contempt wagered towards the LGBTQ community.

As Americans, we can do far better than we have...so try to open your mind and hearts to all, even if you happen to disapprove of their existence and personal philosophies.


Lisa Disbrow
Registered user
another community
on Mar 19, 2023 at 2:07 pm
Lisa Disbrow, another community
Registered user
on Mar 19, 2023 at 2:07 pm

The ACLU letter on the Day of Silence (DOS) is very informative. The letter endorses after school DOS student led activities and student requests to teachers to remain silent during class time. These aspects were not disclosed by advocates for the April 14 event.
The ACLU letter and DOS speakers cite harassment, bullying and silencing of the lgbtqia+ community as the rationale for the DOS.
Yet THEY HARASS, BULLY and SILENCE those who recognize male/female sexuality as definitive in biology, chemistry, physiology, history, medicine, literature and theology. The DOS event is a 2 edged sword to focus young minds on the lgbtqia+ political agenda AND bully those who disagree with them. It’s obviously been very effective in SRVUSD for 6 years.
The DEIB advocates mis-label people who REJECT unlimited identities, gender transformation, the use of books with anal, vaginal, oral, body fluids and sexual violence as valid instructional content. To REJECT their ideology is intolerable, it becomes violence, bigotry, hatred IN THEIR MINDS. This twisting is an age old tactic favored by power seekers.
The DEIB plan is to make sure the pro-biology, pro-academics, pro after school activities voices feel their righteous fury as they imagine, fantasize aloud our cruel motives vs the care and compassion we have for lgbtqia+ students and others.
The DEIB tactic silences. That’s UNKIND and wrong.
We will faithfully exercise our culture, our faith, our analysis, our wisdom, knowledge and civic responsibility.
We each have the right to offend others AND to be offended by others. Offending is a part of real life.
Does the board realize how unkind it is to obstruct students from receiving a vigorous day of learning, to misuse public taxpayer dollars but then ask for more money during our food, gas, utilities hikes?
Do they consider the horrid life long, emotional costs of sexual confusion? Read about Chloe Cole. TRAGIC!!
Silence doesn’t = DEIB approval.
It= bullying.


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 19, 2023 at 3:45 pm
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 19, 2023 at 3:45 pm

My separate 03-14 SRVUSD Board Comment:

“Atop the Board’s and Supt. Malloy’s insistence that LGBTQ students must see themselves as LGBTQ porn objects in library books, now comes Country Club Principal Christy Glaser, continuing what she and Korby Saunders call ‘queering the classroom.’

“This represents yet another way in which activist SRVUSD personnel insert themselves between parents and kids. What began as a plea for LGBTQ tolerance has become a demand for LGBTQ porn in high school libraries — and refusal to allow parents to withdraw their children from overt LGBTQ indoctrination.

“Mr. Malloy keeps saying falsely that SRVUSD regards parents as partners. Were that claim true, then OPT-IN parental permission would again be required for 4th and 5th grade participation in PRISM LGBTQ Clubs, as when those clubs began.

“Parents as ACTUAL partners would be able to OPT OUT their children from forceful LGBTQ indoctrination sessions, conducted via homosexual and transgender picture-storybook read-alouds in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.

“I remind Ms. Glaser and the Board that for at least some families, forcing children to participate in these LGBTQ indoctrination struggle sessions compromises their closely held religious beliefs, thereby violating your own Policy 6142.2.

“That policy says that ‘Staff members shall be highly sensitive to their obligation NOT to interfere with the religious development of any student in whatever tradition the student embraces.’ The indoctrinating LGBTQ read-alouds can readily interfere.

“And how ironic that Ms. Petish and Mr. Malloy have said, in the context of high school library pornography, that no student is ever forced to read a book that a student doesn’t want to read. Yet Ms. Glaser and Mr. Malloy are evidently forcing captive-audience, much younger children to listen and see homosexual and transgender-themed material — i.e., teacher-directed activism in which some parents don’t want their children participating.”


David A
Registered user
Blackhawk
on Mar 19, 2023 at 5:21 pm
David A, Blackhawk
Registered user
on Mar 19, 2023 at 5:21 pm

Mike Arata, you are a hero. Your opinions and continued presence at board meetings are the voice of silenced teachers in the district. My daughter is one of them. Teachers are in fear of retaliation from administrators and continue to teach while biting their tongues. JM has destroyed this once great district.


H
Registered user
San Ramon Valley High School
on Mar 19, 2023 at 8:45 pm
H, San Ramon Valley High School
Registered user
on Mar 19, 2023 at 8:45 pm

Over the past five years, the issue of "privacy" has become a major concern in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. The district has used "privacy" to prevent taxpayers from understanding why $2,000,000 was allocated to prevent girls from styling hair on cosmetology dolls, and to conceal the facts when it wrongly accused two boys of racism. In reality, the boys were trying to draw attention to a credible accusation of sexual assault by a teacher against several girls. However, the report regarding the boys remains confidential, and the reports of sexual assault by the teacher were allegedly "lost" when Contra Costa County Court ordered their delivery, contradicting the previous claim that they were "private."

This pattern of secrecy and lack of transparency raises questions about the management and hidden agendas within the SRVUSD. To address these issues, increased citizen oversight is essential. The current superintendent has created secretive committees to approve his agenda, and the membership of these committees is undisclosed. It remains unclear if these "private" decision-making committees violate California's open meeting laws, and this is a question that public policy experts must address.

The concept of "privacy" should not be used as an excuse to obstruct transparency or accountability. Taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent, and public institutions have an obligation to be transparent and honest with the communities they serve. Therefore, it is crucial to establish mechanisms that ensure public participation, engagement, and oversight. SRVUSD must embrace transparency, end its culture of secrecy, and adopt a more open approach to decision-making.


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 20, 2023 at 3:44 am
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 3:44 am

My thanks to Malcolm Hex, Lauren Wilcox, Lauren Jeffries, Lisa Disbrow, Jennifer, David A, H, and courageous parents, teachers, et al. who resist SRVUSD’s and Supt. Malloy’s shameless usurping of parental authority (while claiming parents as “partners”) — and the District’s toxic intrusions into children’s minds, hearts, and souls.

Open Minded Parent seems earnestly sincere, but like many others has been taken in by SRVUSD’s corrupted “equity” campaign. Branch A = critical race theory, portraying America as a racist society of “white supremacist oppressors” vs. “oppressed” everyone else. A 7th grade textbook advises murder-rapist/cop-killer rap, specifically “Straight Outta Compton,” as a source of “change and empowerment.”

Branch B = “LGBTQ+” homosexualist and gender-bender brainwashing, even in pre-kindergarten.

Here, D.E.I.B. in practice means Division, Exclusion, Incitement, and Bias. And “LGBTQ+” manipulations of young people include depraved LGBTQ+ pornography in SRVUSD high school libraries.

Such school-based perversion can be understood via the scheme articulated in “The Overhauling of Straight America” ( Web Link ) and a summary of the related book “After the Ball” ( Web Link ). Step One is desensitization, a routine SRVUSD tactic.

See also srvEXPOSITOR.com ( https://www.srvexpositor.com ).

Some hopeful news on the Christy Glaser & Country Club front: Resolute parents are now informed that they will be given read-aloud dates and book summaries upon request, and that they can opt out their kids if they wish.

Still to be settled is what beneficial alternative lessons will be provided during these readings — and whether other SRVUSD elementaries will replicate this needed policy change.

Meanwhile, news reporter Jeanita Lyman should find a better surrogate than Bob Allen for any new editorials by proxy.


H
Registered user
San Ramon Valley High School
on Mar 20, 2023 at 8:16 am
H, San Ramon Valley High School
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 8:16 am

Superintendent Malloy's dishonesty about what the district teaches children is concerning, regardless of one's stance on the social issues at hand. Malloy has made it a policy for teachers to mislead parents about these topics, while rewarding those who enable this behavior and threatening anyone who questions it with professional or social repercussions.

It's clear that Malloy has intentionally lied to parents about what their children are learning in the classroom. This dishonesty is troubling, as it raises questions about whether grades are based on actual academic achievement or political favoritism.

Moreover, if a leader with opposing political beliefs were to take over, would it be acceptable for them to secretly punish parents and teachers who speak out against a reactionary school agenda? That door swings both ways. The community should demand an honest leader who partners with them and respects all children, not just those who's parents align with the political views of administrators.

Malloy's track record in Toronto, where his extremist social agenda resulted in increased racism, is worrying. A CHANGE.org petition ( Web Link ) calling for his replacement attests to this. It's time for our community to do the same and demand a leader who cares more about our children than their own personal political gain.


David B
Registered user
another community
on Mar 20, 2023 at 8:22 am
David B, another community
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 8:22 am

The main question before us is: “who will raise the children, their parents or the state?” Radical Leftists have taken over our public schools and created systems that are turning our children into bitter, anti-American activists. In particular the DEI(B) programs are following Marx’s instruction to engage in the “ruthless criticism of all that exists …”

Our government public schools are not optional for those without the funds for private school, which themselves are under attack by these same forces pushing cultural Marxism. Now a false gender fluidity ideology is being pushed on our children using the postmodern ideas of Queer Theory. ‘Queer’ is defined as “identity without an essence” and many teachers are busy “queering their classrooms” and ‘genderf***ing’ us.

See “Long march through the institutions” at Wikipedia, Lindsay’s New Discourses, and look up these terms, including Critical Race Theory. Help to stop this ideology-religion from destroying our functioning society.


LP
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 20, 2023 at 10:18 am
LP, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 10:18 am

While Dr. Malloy's position is apparently too 'woke' for some local residents, shouldn't our children be afforded the opportunity to become further aware of the different types of people who comprise our society?

As an openly gay parent, I am very reluctant to arrange a birthday party for our six-year old son because of the potentially adverse reactions we might receive from parents of the other invited children.

And so in some ways, Dr. Malloy is advocating that all parents and their children learn to accept and acknowledge that there are other people in the community whose family backgrounds and personal
preferences might be different than theirs.

While certain prejudices will always consume the hearts and minds of the less tolerant, by promoting a unilateral acceptance of the LGBTQ community, we can actively ensure that our country continues its ongoing commitment to promoting diversity and equality for all...
morality issues and dogma non-withstanding.


David B
Registered user
another community
on Mar 20, 2023 at 1:24 pm
David B, another community
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 1:24 pm

If you want to understand the Wokish idiom, see this Web Link and this Web Link


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 20, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 2:20 pm

LP’s comment is in part identical to that of “An Open Minded Parent” at Web Link .

Both speak of “promoting a unilateral acceptance of the LGBTQ community.” I believe the intended term may be “UNIVERSAL acceptance”; unilateral, often secretive imposition of LGBTQ ideology is in fact already SRVUSD’s standard policy and practice, from pre-K through high school, without regard to parental authority.

“Promoting diversity and inclusion” used to mean “live and let live,” not (a) pushing age-inappropriate homosexual and transgender-themed read-aloud picture-story books at 5-year-olds (rubber-stamp approved by Mr. Malloy’s 15-person committee, names concealed); (b) ditching a parental OPT-IN permission requirement for 4th and 5th-grade PRISM (“LGBTQ+”) Clubs; and (c) insisting that high schoolers must be able to “see themselves” in grossly pornographic library books.

Homosexual math teacher Bob Allen’s mention of 23% of SRVUSD students identifying as “not straight” (2% as “trans”) illustrates a problem noticed even by Bill Maher: “When things change this much, this fast, people are allowed to ask, “What’s up with that?” See Web Link .

One answer: intensive school-based indoctrination. See Web Link .

A homosexual member of my own extended family is horrified by SRVUSD’s systematic intrusion upon parental rights, including the District’s “Gender Support Plans,” administered by unlicensed, amateur psychotherapists — i.e., “Doctor” (EdD) Hong Nguyen and her team of principals and counselors ( Web Link ).

Gays Against Groomers themselves “oppose the recent trend of indoctrinating, sexualizing, and medicalizing children under the guise of ‘LGBTQIA+’” ( Web Link ).


Lisa Disbrow
Registered user
another community
on Mar 20, 2023 at 2:29 pm
Lisa Disbrow, another community
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 2:29 pm

Explaining the complexities of life is not an academic subject, is not an accredited course of study leading to a government produced credential.
This is the responsibility of parents. This is where parents lead, explain, introduce WHEN THEY DECIDE ITS NECESSARY and HOW THEY SEE BEST to train up THEIR CHILDREN in the way their parents choose to live.
I doubt many parents are willing to turn over their children to the personal, values based, faith infused issues to any stranger, teacher, school board member or Superintendent.
Schools have ignored and violated their job responsibilities for so long parents are seriously deferring to people ( teachers , staff, board members, consultants, legislators and superintendents) who don’t know your child’s favorite color or story.
Time to WAKE UP and get back to being THE PARENT without the input of the school district elites. Parents have the FINAL VOICE and VOTE when it comes to your children.


H
Registered user
San Ramon Valley High School
on Mar 20, 2023 at 3:30 pm
H, San Ramon Valley High School
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 3:30 pm

@LP,

For some, the focus is on the lies and deception perpetrated by the school district rather than the actual content being taught. To address this issue, one solution is to allow parents the option to opt out of discussions surrounding sexuality. While this seems like a simple solution, it appears that Malloy and his cadre have chosen to deceive parents instead of being transparent and honest.

This lack of honesty raises important questions about what else the Malloy district may be hiding from the public. For example, we know that Malloy has lied about investigations into teachers who have been accused of sexually assaulting students, as well as about the incident involving a cosmetology doll head. Additionally, the district has been less than forthcoming about certain aspects of school reopening. It is important to recognize that there is a pattern of dishonesty emerging from this district.

Ultimately, whether or not honesty matters is a question that should concern all taxpayers and voters. While it may not be a priority for Malloy, it is crucial that we hold our institutions to a higher standard and demand transparency and integrity in all aspects of public life.


Kendra Taylor
Registered user
another community
on Mar 20, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Kendra Taylor, another community
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 3:30 pm

Parents have a say in the education of their children.

No one here has a problem with promoting high academic achievement but the discussion of LGBTQ issues and culture should be subject to parental discretion and approval.


David B
Registered user
another community
on Mar 20, 2023 at 4:45 pm
David B, another community
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 4:45 pm

SRVUSD Board Policy 6144: Controversial Issues states that the school “expects teachers to ensure that all sides of a controversial issue are impartially presented, with adequate and appropriate factual information. Without promoting any partisan point of view, the teacher should help students separate fact from opinion and warn them against drawing conclusions from insufficient data. The teacher shall not suppress any student's view on the issue as long as its expression is not malicious or abusive toward others.” Is this being done? It is not in our area. Web Link See also 5145.2: Freedom of Speech/Expression, 4319.21: Professional Standards (no pornography), and 5020: Parent Rights and Responsibilities and references. Web Link


Heather
Registered user
Alamo
on Mar 20, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Heather , Alamo
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 9:55 pm

Why do our schools need to sexualize our children? What happened to reading, writing and arithmetic? California schools are in the bottom in the US, I used to be so proud to live in this community with great schools. Things have changed for the worst and it’s affecting our most precious gifts. Please parents come to school board meeting and let your voices be heard. These teachers and administrators are indoctrinating our kids to hate people with different ideas. Why would anyone transition a child? They can’t drink until they are 21 and they can’t sign up for the military until they are 18. These life altering transitions can ruin a person for life. LET KIDS BE KIDS!!!!


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 20, 2023 at 11:29 pm
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 20, 2023 at 11:29 pm

Bob Allen tried to justify the LGBTQ “Day of Silence” by comparing it to a student Bible Club that distributes free Bibles. The obvious distinction between a taxpayer-funded full day of politicized classroom distraction and a beneficial activity conducted outside of class time wasn’t obvious to math teacher Allen.

So David B is correct that SRVUSD’s CRT and LGBTQ activism lacks any semblance of requisite balance. See, e.g., slides from the District’s “Equity Summer Institute” last year, Web Link .

Not only does that imbalance cheat students and readily harm them; it makes things perilous for conscientious SRVUSD personnel.

The four irresponsible School Board members remaining from last year’s Board should have fired Supt. Malloy for his defamation of the Cal High Stunt Team last May and June. Instead, they rewarded his behavior with a contract extension and salary increase last fall.

Megan Keefer — recognized in April 2022 (in just her third year as Cal High Principal, and just 6 weeks prior to Malloy’s mannequin-head scandal) as Secondary Principal of the Year by the local chapter of the Association of California School Administrators — resigned her position in the aftermath of Malloy’s cynical amplification of a fabricated social media post which had falsely impugned the Stunt Team girls, Web Link .

Mrs. Keefer now teaches English at Dougherty Valley High. In a school district which actually cared about kids, she’d still be Cal High Principal, and Malloy would be gone.

Six months prior to Malloy’s becoming SRVUSD superintendent on Aug. 1, 2020, he had written of his intent (then in Toronto) to “push the envelope” on LGBTQ issues. By Nov. 2020, Country Club principal Christy Glaser and instructional coach Korby Saunders were presenting their “experiences of queering the classroom” with elementary-grade read-alouds — which rational observers consider an unethical practice.



H
Registered user
San Ramon Valley High School
on Mar 21, 2023 at 7:17 am
H, San Ramon Valley High School
Registered user
on Mar 21, 2023 at 7:17 am

@Mike Arata

The departure of Mrs. Keefer from her position was triggered by a disagreement with Malloy over an official statement related to the Cal High incident. Malloy had forced her to sign a document that she didn't write and didn't agree with. It became apparent to Mrs. Keefer that Malloy was making all the decisions at her school, and she decided to leave before Malloy could undermine her further. This situation is not unique, as former Assistant Superintendents Greg Medici and Danny Hillman also left their roles after clashing with Malloy. Medici had been pressured to sign off on unaffordable raises for administrators and to meet with and appease convicted child molesters, while Hillman had questioned the validity of some documents but was forced to sign them anyway. Malloy's latest replacement for the CBO role is Stella Kemp, who was previously Superintendent in both San Bruno and Santa Clara but left due to her lack of transparency and poor relationship with the community. It seems that Malloy is now struggling to find qualified and independent professionals to work with him, and is resorting to hiring sycophants who will simply do as he says.

It's becoming increasingly clear that Malloy's actions are causing significant damage to the community and the education system. Despite numerous complaints and concerns from parents, teachers, and other stakeholders, the board seems to be hesitant to take any concrete action to stop Malloy's crusade. This reluctance is puzzling, given the mounting evidence of Malloy's disregard for the well-being of students and staff alike.


H
Registered user
San Ramon Valley High School
on Mar 21, 2023 at 7:17 am
H, San Ramon Valley High School
Registered user
on Mar 21, 2023 at 7:17 am

As an example, Malloy has already managed to alienate many of the SRVUSD staff, who are essential to ensuring a high-quality education for students. Many experienced educators have left or are considering leaving the district due to Malloy's management style, which is seen as overbearing, uncompromising, and disrespectful. Moreover, Malloy's top-down approach to decision-making has resulted in numerous controversial policies and initiatives that have caused further division and turmoil within the community.

If the board continues to turn a blind eye to these issues, it's likely that the negative effects will only escalate. Parents may start looking for alternative options for their children's education, and the district may struggle to attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff. Ultimately, the students will suffer the most, as they will be caught in the crossfire of Malloy's ego-driven agenda and the board's unwillingness to take decisive action. It's time for the board to put the interests of the community and the students first and take swift action to address the Malloy problem before it's too late.


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 21, 2023 at 9:44 pm
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 21, 2023 at 9:44 pm

Thanks to H for further background on personnel problems (including Megan Keefer’s situation) which have resulted from Malloy’s superintendency and the SRVUSD Board’s / SRVEA union’s backing of his irresponsible behavior.

Based on their rhetoric and actions, Malloy and four Board members (Hurd, Ordway, Clark, Bratt) remain committed to their overtly racist “anti-racism” programming and to Christy Glaser’s / Korby Saunders’ pre-K through 5th grade “queering the [elementary] classroom” read-aloud activism, along with PRISM (“LGBTQ+”) Clubs.

As of the 2021-2022 school year, Saunders (“they/them”) at Country Club Elementary, Erin Foley at Charlotte Wood Middle School, and Heather Slipka at Monte Vista High School constituted SRVEA’s ” LGBTQ+ activism “Triad.”

In Jan. 2021, as Saunders organized PRISM Club startups, she was unhappy when parents tried to remove their child from her classroom because of her pronouns and “LGBTQ+ equity chair” status. She noted that the parents were “religious,” and observed that she was “too in their face with [her] beliefs.”

In Feb. 2021, Saunders, emailing other PRISM Club promoters, said she knew that “once the district office required students to have permission slips to join the club, it would be a hurdle to get students to participate in the club because 1) parents beliefs could get in the way of allowing their child to join, even as an ally [and] 2) because parents don’t realize many kids are already exploring these ideas without their parents knowing it and parents not believing their child is mature enough for the topics.”

Like Malloy, Saunders and Glaser have cited Ed. Code §60040, which says that adopted instructional materials “shall portray… the role and contributions of… lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans… to the total development of California and the United States.”

Malloy/Glaser/Saunders pretend their FICTIONAL LGBTQ+ read-alouds do that, so are supposedly required. They don’t; and they’re not.


H
Registered user
San Ramon Valley High School
on Mar 21, 2023 at 10:46 pm
H, San Ramon Valley High School
Registered user
on Mar 21, 2023 at 10:46 pm

Malloy stated in the prior board meeting that all his actions have been ratified by the board. What specific vote of the board authorized Malloy to deliberately deceive students, parents, and taxpayers?


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 21, 2023 at 11:15 pm
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 21, 2023 at 11:15 pm

Malloy and company have run up against their own Board Policy 6142.2: “Staff members shall be highly sensitive to their obligation not to interfere with the religious development of any student in whatever tradition the student embraces.”

SRVUSD personnel also collide routinely with Policy 6144: “The Board also expects teachers to ensure that all sides of a controversial issue are impartially presented, with adequate and appropriate factual information.”

So where are the expensive consultants, speakers, programs, assemblies, textbooks, handouts, and lessons, etc. which present the other side of critical race theory and homosexual/gender-bender activism?

Policy 410 says that “District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from discrimination based on race…” [among other characteristics].

Board policies are anchored in Ed. Code itself. Policy 410 reflects Ed. Code §§51500 and 51501, which tell SRVUSD and other California schools that “A teacher shall not give instruction and a school district shall not sponsor any activity that promotes a discriminatory bias on the basis of race…,” and that “any governing board shall not adopt any textbooks or other instructional materials for use in the public schools that contain any matter reflecting adversely upon persons on the basis of race….”

What to do, then, with adopted, overtly racist SRVUSD textbooks like the falsely titled “This Book Is Anti-Racist” and others like it? Tiffany Jewell, this book’s author, tells students that “Being racist against white people is not a thing. So I can have prejudice against white people…. In our society, REVERSE RACISM IS NOT REAL.”

SRVUSD teachers are trained by expensive consultants to recognize their alleged “white privilege,” “white supremacy,” and “implicit bias,” even if they have none of those characteristics, even if they themselves have emerged from conditions of poverty, subordination, and prejudice against THEM.

SRVUSD is a steaming cauldron of hypocrisies.


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 21, 2023 at 11:39 pm
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 21, 2023 at 11:39 pm

See Web Link , Web Link , and Web Link for more details on SRVUSD’s overtly racist “anti-racism” and “queering the classroom” (their term) read-aloud programs.


Heather
Registered user
Alamo
on Mar 22, 2023 at 9:09 am
Heather , Alamo
Registered user
on Mar 22, 2023 at 9:09 am

Parents, children, grandparents, people who care, wake up and go to the next school board meeting and have your voices heard!! We are the majority but we need people there to stand up for our kids.


Jim Jensen
Registered user
San Ramon
on Mar 22, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Jim Jensen, San Ramon
Registered user
on Mar 22, 2023 at 2:15 pm

I am somewhat torn on this issue.

Are we persecuting and diminishing the LGBTQ community with these proposed restrictions on curriculum?

Personally speaking, I am against this topic being actively pursued and taught in K-12 public schools BUT whenever I convey this sentiment to my more 'woke' acquaintances & colleagues, I am called a bigot and a RonDeSantis stooge (which I am not).

So the question is...how do we pacify both the woke faction and the more traditionally-minded parents who have a more conservative view?

Is a middle ground even possible?


Heather
Registered user
Alamo
on Mar 22, 2023 at 6:55 pm
Heather , Alamo
Registered user
on Mar 22, 2023 at 6:55 pm

We should all care for our children first. We should not care about this woke B/S, be brave and use your voice to bring our schools back to sanity. Schools are for reading, writing, arithmetic, PE and social learning. This should have nothing to do with politics? Our school board has put politics first and kids last.


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 22, 2023 at 7:29 pm
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 22, 2023 at 7:29 pm

Good summation, Heather. And good question, Jim. “Middle ground” = the rational status quo ante that was built around enforcement of laws/policies already in place for decades, prohibiting discrimination and bullying.

Restoring common sense is obviously a heavy lift under the current four-member Board majority, Mr. Malloy, and CTA’s local chapter (SRVEA). CTA, 1984: “Who dares take on religion, free enterprise, patriotism, and motherhood? We do — and we must!” ( Web Link ). These days, pushing sex and gender ideology is another perverse CTA/SRVEA priority.

More parents and community members need to insist that SRVUSD kids not be dragooned and indoctrinated by “LGBTQ+” activist personnel.

With SRVUSD preparing a parcel-tax extension/increase and then a bond measure, citizens should speak in a universal language: no additional tax dollars for a faulty product.

“Queering the [pre-K through 5] classroom” — along with its recruitment and grooming effect, via homosexual and transgender-themed read alouds — must be halted, along with 4th and 5th grade PRISM club indoctrination. At the very least, OPT-IN parental permission must be reinitiated for PRISM Club involvement and instituted now for read-aloud indoctrination.

Catering to outside “LGBTQ+ political interests, including the skewed, prejudicial teacher training provided by PFLAG, must be halted.

Use of “Gender Spectrum’s” Gender-Support plans, administered by SRVUSD’s unlicensed, amateur psychotherapists, using outside third-party forms (Google docs), kept secret from parents(?), must be stopped. GLSEN-originated "Day of Silence” interference with class activity should also cease.

LGBTQ pornography must be removed from high school libraries. Even SRVUSD’s PTA Council is now concerned about that look.

Christopher Rufo supplies a good plan for needed school reforms: Web Link .


H
Registered user
San Ramon Valley High School
on Mar 22, 2023 at 8:21 pm
H, San Ramon Valley High School
Registered user
on Mar 22, 2023 at 8:21 pm

How much will a special election cost? Interestingly enough, the SRVUSD PTA published a study on February 16th 2021 detailing that exact topic. Here is an excerpt from that study:

"[With] elections [that] would not occur during a regular election, SRVUSD would have to pay the $650,000 estimated cost. There is no insurance coverage. As an unanticipated expense, there is no budget allocation for special elections and the money will be taken from the District’s bottom line. A [special election] could directly impact the District’s ability to fund programs, staff, and facilities for students."

It is worth noting that despite highlighting the fiscal burden of special elections, the PTA now appears to be advocating for one to further its own agenda. This raises questions of hypocrisy and undermines their credibility on the matter.


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 23, 2023 at 2:42 am
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 23, 2023 at 2:42 am

The PTA study mentioned by H represented the SRVUSD PTA Council’s opposition to recalling three District trustees. It was “initiated,” DanvilleSanRamon.com reported, “over the district's decision to postpone the restart of in-person learning earlier [during 2020-2021], amid the COVID-19 pandemic and alleged Brown Act violations” ( Web Link ).

The recall signature-gathering effort was unsuccessful, unfortunately, especially given curricular, personnel, and financial decisions the three Board members continued making, from excusing Mr. Malloy’s defamation of the Cal High Stunt Team, to endorsing reverse-racism textbooks along with PRISM Clubs and LGBTQ read-alouds and high school library pornography, to unmerited cross-the-board 8.5% raises plus $1,000 bonuses, etc., etc….

The three Board members were/are SRVEA teacher-union favorites. (Ken Mintz left the Board of his own accord last fall, and was replaced by Jesse vanZee. Rachel Hurd and Susanna Ordway remain however, continuing to make bad decisions.)

And the PTA? As revealed in “The Politics of the PTA,” ( Web Link ), worthwhile extended excerpt at ( Web Link ), the national PTA has effectively been captured by NEA, and usually agrees with teacher-union policy positions.

The local SRVUSD PTA Council follows that pattern. A Children/Youth “Social Justice” booklist on the Council’s “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” page, for example, links to a radical “Teaching for Change” book listing.

The “LGBTQ+” subset of that compilation could readily have been recommended by SRVUSD activists like John Malloy, Hong Nguyen, Christy Glaser, Korby Saunders, and SRVUSD school librarians ( Web Link ).


Aurora Regino
Registered user
another community
on Mar 23, 2023 at 10:45 am
Aurora Regino, another community
Registered user
on Mar 23, 2023 at 10:45 am

I support Mike Arata's views 100%+.

I’d seen the news headlines about activist teachers talking about how they can indoctrinate students with ideas about sexuality and gender, against parents' wishes and behind their backs.

But I never thought in a million years it would happen to my family. And then it did.

My 11-year-old daughter went to the guidance counselor, after a death in our family, for help processing that loss.

In a meeting that was supposed to help my daughter manage her grief, her guidance counselor convinced her to begin identifying as a boy at school.

She went into that office as my daughter and left with a boy’s name asking to be called a “he.” It took just minutes.

All of this was done without my knowledge – and even worse, the school told her to hide all of this from me.

I’m suing Chico Unified School District with the help of the Center for American Liberty – not for damages, or for emotional distress, but to put an end to its “Parental Secrecy Policy” that directs teachers and staff to hide a child’s “social transition” from parents.

My daughter might have wanted to tell me about her “new identity” right away – because I’m her mother, she trusts me, and she knows I love her unconditionally.

But her guidance counselor discouraged her from talking to me about it.

She encouraged her to “come out” to her teachers, her peers – everyone but me.

It was two months after the initial meeting by the time I found out what was going on, and it wasn’t because the school notified me or because my daughter told me. It was because my daughter told my mother who then told me.

And thankfully we were able to put an end to this.

My daughter is doing well. She goes by the name I gave her, and knows she is a girl.

I know that if the school had its way, my daughter might be thinking about dangerous surgeries & changing her body forever.

Children are minors & should not be subjugated to this type of gender identity brainwashing.


H
Registered user
San Ramon Valley High School
on Mar 23, 2023 at 12:45 pm
H, San Ramon Valley High School
Registered user
on Mar 23, 2023 at 12:45 pm

I want to take a moment to applaud Aurora Regino for her courageous stand against the lies of political extremists who have taken over our education system. It's truly inspiring to see someone speak out against the deceptive education programs and decision-making processes that are harming so many children.

Sadly, SRVUSD has a similar program where parents are being deceived about the education programs in the classroom and about lunchtime clubs, and if anyone dares to question these deceptions, they are spied on by district staff with the approval and direction of the superintendent.

While some may not object to these programs in schools, the real issue is the deliberate lies and manipulation by school district leaders. Children are being fed false information to portray their parents as adversaries. It's apparent that extremists want to isolate children from their families and force-feed them extremist viewpoints to usurp the influence of parents in their lives. It's nothing short of grooming.

Regardless of your position on this specific issue, we should all thank Ms. Regino for demanding honesty and transparency in our schools. Everyone should be concerned about these injustices.


Jake Waters
Registered user
San Ramon
on Mar 23, 2023 at 2:27 pm
Jake Waters, San Ramon
Registered user
on Mar 23, 2023 at 2:27 pm

I was TOTALLY unaware that this type of gender transition indoctrination was so prevalent in our CA public schools.

Ms. Regino's lawsuit is for real & as per Harmeet Dillon's Liberty Center there are other cases involving what I consider to be child abuse by school administrators.

Web Link">Web Link

Web Link">Web Link


David B
Registered user
another community
on Mar 23, 2023 at 5:25 pm
David B, another community
Registered user
on Mar 23, 2023 at 5:25 pm

Jake,
It is everywhere unfortunately. I posted links and information above. Radical Gender Ideology comes from Queer Theory, which is a neo-Marxist postmodern critical theory like Critical Race Theory, Postcolonial Theory, and Fat Studies. See Web Link and many other references. Wikipedia. A resource that schools use is here: Web Link Queer Theory‘s ideas are based mainly on Michel Foucault’s philosophy and idea that truth is a human construct, hence everything else is, including race and sex. It is embedded in most school’s board policies. See AR 5145.3. Regulation 5145.3: Nondiscrimination/Harassment. Web Link


Mike Arata
Registered user
Danville
on Mar 24, 2023 at 1:06 am
Mike Arata, Danville
Registered user
on Mar 24, 2023 at 1:06 am

My profound thanks to Aurora Regino for her comments above. Center for American Liberty attorneys Harmeet Dhillon and Mark Trammell represent Aurora in the federal lawsuit against Chico Unified, its superintendent, and its school board. The complaint is posted at Web Link .

Reflective of concern over school-based gender-bender activism and cynical assaults on parental rights, Aurora’s case has received state and national attention, e.g. Web Link and Web Link .

The Dhillon group has also sued the Spreckels Union School District in Salinas for similarly unethical gender-identity twisting/grooming of Jessica Konen’s daughter ( Web Link ).

Hats off to these courageous moms on defending their kids against the gender thieves.

At Web Link , SRVUSD itself calls upon unlicensed, amateur psychotherapists (i.e., mostly principals and counselors) to utilize “Gender Spectrum’s” forms (via outside fourth-party tfaforms.com and Google docs) to assess alleged needs for children’s “Gender-Support Plans.”

The district attempts at the same page to dilute parents’ rights regarding student “identity” and name changes with misleading AB 1266 information — and to boost its school-based homosexual/transgender organizations. Long lists of homosexual and transgender books and external activist outfits are also provided.

In 2018, SRVUSD projected 2022-2023 enrollment at 36,635 students. It’s closer now to 29,000. Parents with means for alternatives elsewhere should continue extracting their children from these mentally, morally, and spiritually dangerous schools. Ultimately, allowing tax dollars to follow parents and kids to the schools of their choice will be the needed solution.


Malcolm Hex
Registered user
San Ramon
on Mar 24, 2023 at 10:32 am
Malcolm Hex, San Ramon
Registered user
on Mar 24, 2023 at 10:32 am

The House voted to pass the Parents Bill of Rights Act over objections from Democrats. Surprised? And as usual, the Democrats said the bill would promote "fascism" and "extreme" views.

Extreme views? You mean like the Critical Race Theory garbage that is mandatory in some schools and companies? That doesn’t count as extreme views? How ‘bout them BLM folk? So peaceful, aren’t they?

See, the Democrats support any cause that supports them - no matter if that cause is associated with a violent doctrine, or has a socialist twist to it.

Kudos to all you parents who fight back!


Jason Bancroft
Registered user
another community
on Mar 24, 2023 at 2:55 pm
Jason Bancroft, another community
Registered user
on Mar 24, 2023 at 2:55 pm

As a retired minister (Unitarian), I have second thoughts about children altering their gender identities prior to adulthood and public schools actively assisting in this endeavor before the students are 18 (or older).

Parents of underage (minor) children have a right to be adequately informed of these matters especially if the school district is going to take an active role in counseling gender identity issues.

I suspect that the Parental Secrecy Policy was implemented to protect students who might come under fire by their parents for exploring and/or considering being a part of the LGBTQ universe.

The school counselors should be fully knowledgeable of LGBTQ culture and lifestyles so that they can counsel students having gender identity issues with both compassion and understanding.

Our youngest son (19) identifies as a young woman and we accept her as such and in many ways, she is the daughter we never had.


Heather
Registered user
Alamo
on Mar 25, 2023 at 8:46 am
Heather , Alamo
Registered user
on Mar 25, 2023 at 8:46 am

Yes, this indoctrination is happening everywhere! Let’s all come together and make all of our children come first! The left says if the parents want rights we are racists, come on this makes NO sense. The government does NOT have parent rights, period! Come to the next school board meeting and have your voices heard.


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