At last week’s board meeting, the Woodbridge VP, Daniel Harris, went on a bizarre rant where he seemed to be reading directly from a liberal script. He took six minutes before the public comment portion to,
“unequivocally denounce fear mongering and conspiracy theories found in the deepest darkest corners of the internet.”
He then went on to address that these “theories” were mostly false and “not happening here in Woodbridge. Period. Full stop!” He also went on to deny accusations that children within the district were encouraged to change their sex or gender.
BOE VP Harris then went on to clarify and defend the district’s adoption of the new Health and PE standards, stating that they are required by law and that parents are welcome to opt out of the unit. He stated that
“sex education is not a thing.”
referencing the sex education standards in K-2 and suggested that these grades were only learning that
“individuals make their own choices about how they express themselves.”
He also stated that the K-2 curriculum included being able to state medically accurate names of body parts. But don’t worry, he made sure to let the public know that he was “educated” by “ACTUAL” professionals on peens and muffs! You have to wonder if Woodbridge will take the approach that Cherry Hill district took in meeting standard 2.1.2.PGD.5 ( List medically accurate names for body parts, including the genitals) and show the kids cartoon images of naked toddlers. Someone should probably ask him how meeting standard 2.1.2.PGD.5 will be accomplished in his district.
Harris denies that sex education exists in K-2 and yet its still part of the NJ state standards. So is he not planning on following these K-2 standards in the Woodbridge district?:
2.1.2.PP.1: Define reproduction.
2.1.2.SSH.2: Discuss the range of ways people express their gender and how gender-role stereotypes may limit behavior.
2.3.2PS.7: Identify behaviors that would be considered child abuse (e.g., emotional, physical, [and] sexual.)
2.3.2PS.8: Identify trusted adults, including family members, caregivers, and school staff, that you can talk to about situations which may be uncomfortable or dangerous (e.g., bullying, teasing, child sexual abuse.)
Either Harris is uneducated to the K-2 standards or he is just ignoring the “sexual” part?
The issue is that every district is taking a different approach to meeting these standards and the BOE’s never make it clear what materials will be shown to the kids so that they can “name genitals” and “define reproduction.”
In Harris’ long-winded rant, he made it clear that he is tone deaf to the parent’s concern of teaching gender identity and gender expression in every grade.
He finished his statement by asking the public to
“keep their eye on the ball”
when it came to addressing the board, and to focus on the agenda at hand. He then addressed the children directly, by looking into the live stream camera and saying,
“We see you,”
assuring them that they are loved and safe in their school district. Apparently your kids need this because they surely aren’t loved, safe or seen in their own homes. This Board of Education member took it upon himself to address the kids directly, bypassing the parents. And this action sums up the major issue right now with New Jersey public schools. Public schools are no longer a place that fosters a partnership with parents to educate children. Public schools are a place where the schools can mold the children into their true selves by learning to “make their choices about how they EXPRESS themselves”, completely leaving the parent out of any discussions.
During the public session, Paul Lund used his time to address these comments and remind the board that the children do not belong to the school district and that the school does not love the children like the parents do. Mr. Lund finished his time by asking two very direct questions.
Are biological boys allowed under any circumstances to use the little girls’ restroom at any district school building? And the board attorney answered the question by saying that “in accordance with state and federal law” and due to laws “against discrimination based on sex and gender,” biological boys who identify as girls are allowed to use the girls’ bathroom.
His second question was, there Is there any truth to the teacher’s union having a database on parents who question the new sex ed standards, called the NJEA CENTER FOR HONESTY? To which the board president replied that he would “need more information from the NJEA on that one.”
BOE VP Harris made sure to address the public (again) before the meeting was closed, to clarify that when he told the children “We see you,” he should have said “I”. Making it clear that he is engaging the children in a private and personal way, that doesn’t reflect the actual policy of the school. Let’s make this clear, it’s not his job as BOE VP to “see” the children. It’s his job as the VP to make policy on behalf of the PARENTS and other constituents who voted him into office.
I wouldn't exactly call it a RANT but I did hear one thing I am totally against. A biological male should not be allowed to use a girls bathroom or locker room or be allowed in girls sports regardless of what they identify as, do we need to make those Male / Female signs outside of bathrooms anatomically correct?
The state should not be be involved in the schools period! Mandated programs, most are political and social . Watered down curriculum. No time for real academics anymore. The children ultimately suffer! I wonder are these school boards being threatened or paid off?