December, 2004
Dedicated to Preserving Family Values
P.O. Box 66714, 38 King Street East, Stoney Creek, ON CANADA L8G 5E6
| The Inequities of the Equity Policy |
| As you may be aware, we are a local community group representing about 500 families and churches holding to biblical Judeo-Christian faith and belief. We have had a respectful and fruitful relationship with the HWDSB for the past 7 years. HWDSB Equity Policy introduces unsafe, unhealthy curriculum: We regret to report that the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) last February paved the way for the implementation of indoctrinational programs that may include anti-homophobia curriculum, and acceptance of other lifestyles, practices and beliefs that are unhealthy and unsafe physically, emotionally and spiritually to our children, through its new Equity Policy Guidelines. Balderdash! They have taken familiar terms, like equity, culture, and ethnicity, and changed their meanings. They have redefined these terms to include all social groups and individuals who define themselves socially and/or psychologically, or as some type of culture or non-dominant individual or group. (They are supposed to be related to historical background, ancestry, language, religion, common values, practices and beliefs, not by the broad definitions given by the HWDSB.) More Balderdash! They have also changed the meanings of bias, discrimination, and curriculum. Over the past 9 months, they have cooperated very little with HWFAC in changing the policy's definitions back to internationally understood meanings. Only the definitions of 'race' and 'prejudice' have been changed back. Authority: The HWFAC maintains that parents, taxpayers, and the laws of this province dictate what values our children learn in public schools - school boards do not without parental consent from parents! Community Consultation: Was selective and by invitation only and therefore was not representative community consultation, although Ministry Guidelines include it as a necessary part of the process, and HWDSB knew that the HWFAC was interested in the development of the Equity Policy since the fall of 2002 via correspondence and meetings. Trustees: The trustees, without knowledge of definition changes, passed the policy. Background: On November 1, 2004, at our second meeting, School Board representatives Superintendent Chuck Reid and Equity Consultant Bill Torrens presented a new Glossary. We are very glad to see that 'Race' and 'Prejudice' have now been corrected. However, the rest have not. Note one of their redefinitions: HWDSB: Culture: "Culture is the aspect of individual and group identities which include language, religion, race, gender, experience, migration/immigrants, social class, political affiliations, family influences, age, sexual orientation, geographic, origin, ethnicity, experience or absence of experience with discrimination, experience of fighting discrimination and other injustices. " Strengthening Hamilton's Community Initiative. Webster's 2000 International: Culture: "The sum total of the attainments and activities of any specific period, race or people including their implements, handicrafts, agriculture, economics, music, art, religious beliefs, traditions, language, story." Note the difference? You should see their other re-definitions! Many cultures may have people who engage in LGBT behaviour; (1.0% of pop.) however, they are not a culture. Nor are all 'non-dominant' groups (see def'n of Discrimination) 'minorities' in the cultural sense of the word. Contrary to the HWDSB's definition, cultures do not encompass all of the above, which could include any self-described individual or group identity that claims having experience with discrimination! The HWFAC has researched the HWDSB source documents, as well as other pertinent provincial policies and found that none mandate or even mention (implicitly or explicitly) the inclusion of anti-homophobia curriculum in public schools, or the inclusion of anti-homophobia in Equity Policy development, only respect and equal access to services for all persons, based on race and ethnicity. Safe Behaviours: School Boards have a duty to promote safe and healthy behaviours, safe physically, emotionally and spiritually. See Policy Memorandum 128 Codes of Conduct, and Ministry of Education Safe Schools Project. What is Anti-Homophobia Curriculum? After reviewing curricula Challenging Homophobia in Schools, and Seeing the Rainbow, we note that much of it includes lesson plans, books and activities for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. One of the goals is to teach children that any and all sexual attractions, sexual identity, gender identity questioning and LGBT behaviours are innate, healthy and normal. They maintain that LGBT children and teachers are facing a crisis in schools because of discrimination and harassment. They maintain that LGBT children do not feel included in the curriculum. Sample Lesson Plans:
The School Board does not have to address this subject. Indoctrination of our children and teachers of the acceptance of, and equality for, all person's behaviours and perceived 'identities' under the guise of diversity, culture (redefined), ethnicity (redefined) and equity (redefined) and tolerance (implicitly redefined) is the wrong approach to teaching respect for all persons, no matter their race and/or culture. The Ministry of Education does not include it, nor does the community demand it. Action: Consider contacting the HWDSB regarding the above, at The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board: (905) 527-5092, fax (905) 521-2536, Website. Director of Education, Dr. Chris Spence, Superintendent of Education, Mr. Chuck Reid. See our sample letter for assistance. ETFO (Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario) 'Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Education Resource List'. Challenging Homophobia: A Kdg to 12 Resource for Educators, Counsellors and Administrators to Aid in the Support of, and Education about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youths and Families. This is a colourful resource that presents rationale, background, strategies, and many lesson plans. The resource was financially supported by many organizations including the B.C. Teachers' Federation and the B.C. Human Rights Commission. Available from the Gay and Lesbian Educations of British Columbia (GALE-BC) 604-684-9872 or www.galebc.org. See complete resource list sent to HWDSB, or look at Canadian Teachers' Federation Website Resources, or GALE BC's book list. |
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