We believe it is important to represent everyone who wants to have their voice be heard, so that is why we have included every submission we have received (unless it did not follow the guidelines given in the survey). also posted on the Westwood k-12 district webpage. Why are middle school science classes spending valuable learning time on politically charged social justice issues? Imagine you were the kindergartner and believe that you were born in the wrong body along with having your parents say its wrong. We have gone in the wrong direction, and parents are finally waking up to this reality. I applaud the students who courageously shared their thoughts and concerns in response to the OneWestwood advertisement. . Politically radical activists are instructing our teachers. All Rights Reserved. For many of us, it has already gone too far. It can even be argued that One Westwood is speaking for the whole of the parent population, and that is a whole other issue that I am not looking to address but wanted to mention nonetheless. From the renaming of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, summer reading lists focused on "anti-racism," insistence on students using "preferred pronouns," hyper-focus on sexuality during middle school morning announcements, and an overall climate of indoctrination, intolerance and intimidation. Ihave been so disheartened by the One Westwood media blitz, distressed and outraged that our town has fostered such hate, such small mindedness, such boldy racist, homophobic and anti progress. Take classes in Parent University. Nearest high-performing. The world is progressing into a more open place where everyone should feel comfortable with their own bodies from a young age. Edited by Lisa Chow. We will not succumb to bullying, intimidation or cancel culture. Instructions For Applying. Show you care: download one of our hard-hitting posters - see below! We found comfort that we were not alone yet frustrated at how omnipresent these changes had become. Our vision is to be the special education and treatment . Isnt having differing opinions a means for educating and sharing knowledge? I am sadthat there are people in this town who think like this. This vague and feel-good language is used intentionally to shut down discussion and intimidate dissent. C'mon, you all know better than this. It felt so out of touch with reality to me. Additionally, Westwood Public Schools are doing their job according to the Massachusetts frameworks. We were united by a concern for our children in the Westwood schools. For your reference, here is a line from their website: Many of the new initiatives [referring to this highly politicized version of DEI initiatives] were implemented while we were sheltering in our homes during 2020. Required For Application Approval. They seek to redefine our schools and our society in a way that is unrecognizable to the world we grew up in. Anti-racism is the fraternal twin of racism, exchanging one form of discrimination for another (see Asian-Americans v. Harvard). Add a comment below, or find out how to contribute byclicking here. There are plenty of people who disagree with One Westwood's agenda from across the town, and I have voiced no personal opinion on any school committee candidate. In order to foster a culture of understanding, empathy, and compassion, we must give children the opportunity to understand these topics from a young age." The reports on this page provide information about school quality from multiple sources. Tell us about your interests and we will connect you with a team. Parent University seeks toeducate and empower families through free courses, resources, events, and activities. Do these same decision-makers think it is appropriate for our children to watch R-rated movies in elementary school? - MA EAA Sec. I/We love the Foundation's revised mission and want to get involved. These kidsare the future, and the fact that they are outraged, distressed, and frankly disgusted by the words of One Westwood that are anti progress, uninformed, limited in scope, cruel, and hopeless outdated is giving me so much hope! This country was built on democracy, not one on fear mongering and accusations because one's opinion differs from ours. Only in the 5th grade, the "My Changing Body" lesson is introduced. Many of the new initiatives were implemented while we were sheltering in our homes during 2020. These kids are impressive! One Westwood | Douglas Emmett The public schools in Westwood, Massachusetts, are no longer affiliated with the booster club following activity on the program's Twitter account. The mayor needs to stand up for charters, no . Erasing us from education won't erase us, but it will hurt us. 132 were here. 200 Nahatan Street. We dont teach calculus in the first grade; we certainly shouldnt be teaching gender theory. Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation for Westwood Education has awarded over $1,000,000 in grant funding to support projects that advance the development of diverse education experiences benefiting the greater Westwood community. Reset your child's DOE account password. Home One Westwood We will not stand by and let ideas like this lead to negative change in our community. When the high court struck down the policy . These responses have soothed my soul!! Equity isn't even a distant relative of equality. What has been done in the past has not worked so why would we continue it that way? An opt-out notice always precedes this lesson. We will not be silenced, and we will keep fighting. The teacher asked, "can anyone give me an example of how the music industry is racist?" All of us pay taxes and have a right to a discussion and a balance of what their children learn in the school system. Government Will Cancel $1.5 Billion in Loans for Westwood College Students. What exactly changed that had our group so concerned? The examples the article gave that they deem inappropriate (elementary school student having a conversation about gay pride, etc) are so out of touch with the modern political and social climate. Westwood High School. In the face of the radical new priorities our schools are pushing and the hostile environment that has ensued, we do not feel animosity towards the administrators, school committee members, and parent activists who ushered in these changes. Fax:781-461-8561. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. Dori Parmelee , is widely supported by Inclusive Westwood and her campaign is aligned with ensuring students are educated to become Global Citizens. If it's been more than two decades, your debt might already be forgiven. I havent seen any comments or support from anyone listed which is why I ask. Overview. Save Our Schools: Our children, our schools, our future 5,055 likes. Who is One Westwood? Anti-racism activists do not seek a colorblind future, and they do not seek equality of opportunity. By design, the new ideology that has taken over the Westwood schools has permeated all grade levels and academic subjects. (see: Allison Borchers DEI update -curriculum changes 4/1/2021 on our website) The remaking of the Westwood schools is happening in plain sight. While we are not looking to return to the 1950s, we would not mind returning to the 2010s. Our group identity is not fundamental to who we are as people. Have a question or comment? - Westwood Mass School District The article represents individuals who tout themselves as being against hatred and bias yet they are actively engaged in it themselves. At Westwood we educate the whole child through rigorous lessons, after school clubs, social skill building, and our family first atmosphere. The reason racism is talked about in piano lab is because the teacher wants everyone to truly know about the music industry and the systemic racism embedded into it. Iam SO inspired by the majority of these responses!!!!! We implore parents and teachers to see past the flowery language of anti-racism and equity. Some of the families in our group have left the Westwood schools in the last year for Catholic, independent private, or home school options. Ashamed to be from this town right now." Visible Anyone can find this group. In a letter to the school community, Superintendent Emily Parks said they recently became aware that "Westwood High Boosters" had repeatedly endorsed viewpoints through its "likes" on Twitter regarding transgender people. I, perhaps, am in a particularly good position to understand the nuances demanded by DESE regarding diversity, equity and inclusion as I am a social studies teacher in a nearby high school. (229) 336-7992. We welcome all types of people in our community and our schools AND we welcome a diversity of thinking as well. Its clear this is a very touchy subject and there has been a great deal of name calling and accusations because of one's thoughts, beliefs, and concerns. Im happy that theOne Westwood is a small minority in the town. We learned this effort is coordinated, strategic, and was planned well in advance. A group for parents, concerned about the direction of Westwood public schools. My Turn, Ella Jones: Save our school - Salisbury Post In the summer of 2021, a group of parents, grandparents, and other residents of Westwood gathered in a conference room on a warm summer night. Both sides . I would like to point out that the line that you highlighted, One Westwood is a group in our town, looking to suppress diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in our school system as they are currently being implemented is not taking a stance or representing an opinion. Fax:781-461-8561. The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) We call for an end to classroom discussions and curriculum supporting transgender ideology at all grade levels and an end to discussions of human sexuality at the elementary school level. Thank you, to all the young people who speakout against hate and ignorance, I will continue to be fueled by you all. One Westwood's message is very reasonable: let the parents teach about controversial topics and let the schools teach reading, writing, history, math, etc. Westwood Elementary School / Homepage - Alhambra Elementary School District The points of view that they are sharing are hateful and should be called out as such.- One Westwood is also clearly not seeking to practice acceptance of people or ideas that are different than their own. Woodward Children's Center: Woodward Homepage Heavy rain, with a high of 93 and low of 74 degrees. Who is One Westwood? Parents were waking up, paying attention, and not liking what they saw. I think your intentions were well intended but there were definite flaws in its presentation. By Larissa Gao. Partly cloudy in the morning, sunny for the afternoon, overcast overnight. NYCSA Parent Portal. The Sunday Read: 'The Moral Crisis of America's Doctors' Thank you to the writers of this response, the kids who responded, and the teachers and families who have shaped these kids into caring, humane, and open minded future leaders. Ironically, our families do not feel "included" in the new Westwood school district. Thanks for your interest in learning more about the survey. (781) 329-5557. The white, cis, heterosexual parents feel theyre suffering for being in the majority. 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