Political Correctness????

[Internet Theologian]

We received this letter from the school today where our Kindergartner attends:

Dear Parent:

I would like to invite your child to become a member of a kindergarten small group. We will work on making and keeping friends. The group will be co facilitated by (local University) Practicum student __________ and myself.

The group will meet once a week for about 30 minutes. We will meet six weeks during the school day at a time selected by your child's teacher. Your child will not miss core academic instruction.

Please complete the form below and return it to school as soon as possible. If you have questions, you may call me at ***-**** or email me at ___________________________.

Sincerely,

_____________
School Counselor
__________________
School Counselor Intern

**********************************************************************************************************

My wife presented me this letter to see what I thought. I googled the persons on the letter, all are social psychologists, fairly young as well, from the local University.

First I thought that it sounds like perhaps an indoctrination session of political correctness.

Secondly I thought of how typical kindergartners don't really have trouble making friends.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Jkdbuck76]

Time to find out what they are doing. Write and ask.

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[Internet Theologian]

Time to find out what they are doing. Write and ask.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Good answer! I want to find out exactly what they are going to teach and if there is some curriculum I can examine. I'm interested in how they will react to an inquiry.

 

[Jkdbuck76]

Surprise. Most parents don't care.

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[Internet Theologian]

Surprise. Most parents don't care.

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Thanks brother, we appreciate that.

Will pray on how to ask these counselor's concerning the curriculum. I thought 'PC' when I read the letter after my wife handed it to me without comment. After I said it seems PC to me she questioned which kindergartner's have trouble making friends. I'm intrigued with what they mean by 'keeping' friends.

 

[Don]

Gotta agree. May be my natural paranoia and cantankerousness as I get older - but I'd want a look at the curriculum.

 

[Internet Theologian]

Gotta agree. May be my natural paranoia and cantankerousness as I get older - but I'd want a look at the curriculum.

My 'agree' rating is about your investigative intent, not that I believe you to be paranoid. No comment on the 'cantankerous' part. Roflmao

 

[Internet Theologian]

We sent this response to the email provided on the letter:

We received a letter about forming a Kindergarten small group at __________ Elementary.

In the letter it was mentioned that 'We will work on making and keeping friends'.

Could you provide the curriculum and topics that you will be discussing with the kindergartners about making and keeping friends in order that an informed decision can be made?

Please provide a detailed plan of discussions intended upon this group so that we can make an informed decision.

Thank you.

##

We will let you know of any responses.

 

[Zaac]

We received this letter from the school today where our Kindergartner attends:

Dear Parent:

I would like to invite your child to become a member of a kindergarten small group. We will work on making and keeping friends. The group will be co facilitated by (local University) Practicum student __________ and myself.

The group will meet once a week for about 30 minutes. We will meet six weeks during the school day at a time selected by your child's teacher. Your child will not miss core academic instruction.

Please complete the form below and return it to school as soon as possible. If you have questions, you may call me at ***-**** or email me at ___________________________.

Sincerely,

_____________
School Counselor
__________________
School Counselor Intern

**********************************************************************************************************

My wife presented me this letter to see what I thought. I googled the persons on the letter, all are social psychologists, fairly young as well, from the local University.

First I thought that it sounds like perhaps an indoctrination session of political correctness.

Secondly I thought of how typical kindergartners don't really have trouble making friends.

What are your thoughts?

I don't trust it. Since when do kids need to be taught how to make and keep friends? It's something they are born with. You put them together with a bunch of other kids and they will play and make friends because they've got like interests...specifically playing and having a good time the way kids do.

Sounds like someone's dissertation and a way to make certain type friends. Part of the beauty of school is that you make friends with whomever you wish. There is no right or wrong way unless Mama and Daddy tell you the other child is a sociopath and we don't want you around him.

 

[Zaac]

This makes me think about

 

[Internet Theologian]

Here is the response to the above:

Hello


Thanks for your email. I am just wondering which child is yours. I am happy to share information with you but want to be sure with whom I am sharing.


____________


How would you respond to this? Why should she 'be wondering' whose child this is? Really? I don't think it's important at all, nor does it matter what the name of our child is imho.

 

[Don]

Here is the response to the above:
Hello
Thanks for your email. I am just wondering which child is yours. I am happy to share information with you but want to be sure with whom I am sharing.
____________
How would you respond to this? Why should she 'be wondering' whose child this is? Really? I don't think it's important at all, nor does it matter what the name of our child is imho.

Um...if you signed your name(s), even your first name(s), then she should easily be able to figure out whose kid is yours. Unless she doesn't keep a book with all her students' info in it, which is a reflection on her as a teacher....

Now, on the legal side: There are federal regulations that teachers and administrators have to abide by. In order to share any student info, they are required by federal law to verify the identity of the individual requesting student information, so as to not inadvertently release students' personal information. It's pretty strict at the elementary/middle/high school level; only parents. It's worse at the higher ed level; if the student doesn't sign a sheet authorizing the parent(s) to see their student info, teachers and administrators can't discuss *anything* about the college student.

I give you that info because she might try to claim this, giving her the "right" to refuse information until you identify yourself. That all said, you're asking about information for a program, not information about students, much less a particular student. If you keep your inquiries to the program, and not about the students, she doesn't have any legal standing that I'm aware of to refuse providing that information.

On another note: Are you already known to the school as that "Baptist/Christian trouble-maker" and want to remain anonymous as much as possible with them? </facetious tag>

 

[Internet Theologian]

Hello Don,

Um...if you signed your name(s), even your first name(s), then she should easily be able to figure out whose kid is yours.

No need for the 'Um...' brother, I mean I know I'm not the smartest feller in the world, but even I didn't make that mistake! Our email is anonymous and had no signatures or names, so your 'if' has been answered on that level.

Unless she doesn't keep a book with all her students' info in it, which is a reflection on her as a teacher....

We are not sure who she is, or what she does. All we know is she and 2 other 'hefty' women want to teach the children 'something'. We aren't amused.

Now, on the legal side: There are federal regulations that teachers and administrators have to abide by. In order to share any student info, they are required by federal law to verify the identity of the individual requesting student information, so as to not inadvertently release students' personal information. It's pretty strict at the elementary/middle/high school level; only parents. It's worse at the higher ed level; if the student doesn't sign a sheet authorizing the parent(s) to see their student info, teachers and administrators can't discuss *anything* about the college student.

I understand but this isn't a request for information on a student.

I give you that info because she might try to claim this, giving her the "right" to refuse information until you identify yourself. That all said, you're asking about information for a program, not information about students, much less a particular student. If you keep your inquiries to the program, and not about the students, she doesn't have any legal standing that I'm aware of to refuse providing that information.

I see. I agree here. Perhaps there was a day when a parent was praised because they desired to be involved and in the know. Now it seems that one will get 'the evil eye' for daring to ask.

On another note: Are you already known to the school as that "Baptist/Christian trouble-maker" and want to remain anonymous as much as possible with them? </facetious tag>

We've had no incidents with the school with any children who have attended. But, if this were soome PC training on accepting certain lifestyles (not just the person) I would gladly be labelled a trouble maker and a Christian trouble maker especially.

Now, how would you respond to her email?

 

[InTheLight]

Pick up the phone and call this school counselor, identify yourself and your kid and ask about the purpose of this program. Done.

Sent from my Motorola Droid Turbo using Tapatalk.

 

[Internet Theologian]

This makes me think about

lolzzzzzzz...

 

[Internet Theologian]

1) The letter sent home raised a red flag. Do you think we are going to make ourselves a target by asking publicly? I think not.

2) The response by email raises yet another red flag. The curriculum about 'making and keeping friends' should have been happily shared. Not to mention such a topic isn't needed at this level.

3) If my name is given I get this feeling that the next thing will be the question 'Why are you asking'? as if to be involved and wanting to know is 'suspicious activity'. I'll pass.

All the above is perfectly acceptable especially in this post modernist politically correct society to which we belong.

 

[Don]

I'd respond with "doesn't matter who; and identifying my child might inadvertently bias you about their responses and behaviors in this 'study.' Now please identify the curriculum so I can determine if my child will participate."

 

[Don]

BTW: the "um" was in regards to the teacher and/or counselor, not IT.

 

[Internet Theologian]

I'd respond with "doesn't matter who; and identifying my child might inadvertently bias you about their responses and behaviors in this 'study.' Now please identify the curriculum so I can determine if my child will participate."

That's what we did. Thank you.

 

[InTheLight]

I'd respond with "doesn't matter who; and identifying my child might inadvertently bias you about their responses and behaviors in this 'study.' Now please identify the curriculum so I can determine if my child will participate."

No, no, no. It's possible that not all the children are being selected for the "making friends" small group. Probably picking the ones that have a hard time making friends. It's not unreasonable for the counselor to want to know who is inquiring about the small group.

Consider the responses of IT so far--paranoia, fear, mistrust, timidness--just the sort of qualities that do not win friends. Furthermore, I would submit his responses to people on BB are oftentimes unfriendly. Just ask Tom LaPalm (see "When are Names Written in the Book of Life?" thread)

IT should be a man, pick up the phone and settle this thing. If it were me I'd put the young upstart counselor on the defensive and ask for a meeting. Why beat around the bush? Take the problem head on. Sheesh. The counselor is probably making notes on the parental responses.