***With a House Government Oversight Committee hearing coming up on Tuesday regarding the Black Lives Matter At School Week of Action hosted by the Ames district, we wanted to refresh everyone on what happened.***
Marc Peterson had some simple requests for the board when it comes to the Black Lives Matter At School Week in Ames. He asked that teachers send home what materials will be taught in advance and that parents be allowed to opt-out.
Peterson said he realizes he’s in the minority view, but he’s concerned some of the topics that will be discussed bring different sets of values than what some families in the district have.
He said some of those topics cross a line in introducing beliefs and values that some parents may want to introduce to their kids on their own.
Andrea Dahlberg said it is a difficult topic and hard to speak out for the children knowing many people respond with terrible words that describe racism and hatred – which is not her goal, she added.
Dahlberg said she’s completely for teaching children that everyone is equal no matter their skin color or who they are. And, she said, she’s grateful for the diversity in the community.
But the BLM curriculum breaches boundaries, she said. The district can teach love, generosity and kindness without teaching about sexuality.
“I have to speak up as a mom of young children and a concerned community member,” she said.
Dahlberg asked the board to allow families to opt-out and encouraged families to do so if they are not fully comfortable with the curriculum.
