To The Editor:
On September 15, I listened to Bob Stefanowski, Republican candidate for Governor of Connecticut, speak in Westport. I was very dismayed to hear him say that he would introduce a Parental Rights bill because, among other things, “students in kindergarten should not be taught sex education” implying that they are currently, and that parents need a voice in their children’s education, again implying that currently they don’t have one.
Unlike Stefanowski, I was actively involved in Westport’s public school system throughout the 20 years that my four children were in public schools here and as a resident and voter I am still interested in our public schools. I was active in: the PTA, Curriculum Committees, Class Size Committee, Restructuring in 80s, and finally on the Board of Education for eight years either as a member or chair. My daughter-in-law is an elementary school teacher in Westport and three of my grandchildren are now in the Westport public school system.
It is absolutely not true that kindergarteners are taught “sex education,” in fact no such term is used in the schools. I believe that candidates must be held accountable when they say things that are not true. The term “sex education” is a red herring to incite fear, leading people to assume anything.
The Connecticut State Department of Education publishes for “Health,” standards which allow districts to choose how to teach indicators that are age appropriate.
As part of Healthy Relationships grades PK-2 students are taught about how families differ, that parts of the body that are covered by a bathing suit are private and not to be touched. In grade 5 they learn about body organs and hormones released that cause the onset of puberty, which students can be experiencing between ages 8 to 15. In 5th grade there are two parent meetings to show what students will see and parents can chose to opt their children out of those few classes.
The notion of needing a Parental Rights bill is a red herring. It is an outrage to say that parents don’t have a voice; all parents can choose to have their children opt out of Health. In Connecticut, as I would hope a candidate running for Governor well knows, the public schools are run and managed by local Boards of Education who are all elected…by the very parents he says don’t have a voice! The idea that parents do not have a say in their children’s education demoralizes those who spend their lives teaching our children and dedicating their careers to public education. We need to let teachers do their jobs and value their expertise.
In my opinion, the concept of a Parental Rights bill is a way to roll back all the gains that have been made in our society and our schools to accept differences in people.
Sandra Urist
15 Plunkett Place
Westport, CT 06880
203-226-0189
I totally agree with the information provided by Sandra Urist – I too raised my three children here and have three grandchildren in the school system now. I believe the school district is extremely transparent with what is being taught in the schools. Non of what Mr. Stefanowski said regarding sex education for children in elementary school is true. Actually having taught in the Bridgeport School District for years, I think they also do not teach it the way Mr. Stefanowski portrays it. I believe that there is a sex education curriculum mandated by the state and they certainly don’t teach sex ed in Kindergarten. I wish that people would let the teachers teach, appreciate all their hard work, and support the schools in every way possible. God knows they’ve had to deal with a lot the past few years and they are doing an amazing job.