@ They're baaaaack!

[redheadbaker]

Previous thread: pandce.proboards.com/thread/616517/classroom-collecting-donations-religious-charity

Our family went to DS' school last night for a K-12 art show (our district is so small, we have one Elem. Sch. and one Middle/High School, all on the same campus, under 700 students total). 

H pointed out to me a box soliciting donations for THAT charity (if you didn't read the previous post, a proselytizing Christian charity that supports pregnant women but only if they attend Bible study classes, and proudly partners with crisis pregnancy centers). I posted a question in a diversity action group for parents in our district about the appropriateness of a public school supporting a charity like that, and another one said that her third grader brought home a flyer soliciting donations for that charity to support the High School Student Council Community Service Project (our district requires 40 hours of community service in 9th through 12th grades) 

I told them about what happened two years ago. 

Is this even worth pursuing? 

[msmerymac]

Oh FUCK no. Is the same principal still there that promised to look into it 2 years ago? Did any guidelines ever come from that?

[Patsy Baloney]

I would pursue it, but I will fight until I’m nothing but a corpse and even then people will say, “Wow, did you see that zombie out there fighting?”

I think especially given what’s coming for reproductive rights in this country, it’s time to start stomping on these absolute grifting liars.

[redheadbaker]

May 19, 2022 17:30:20 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Oh FUCK no. Is the same principal still there that promised to look into it 2 years ago? Did any guidelines ever come from that?

No, she left at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. As far as I know, no guidelines. 

I also found the list of "pre-approved" charities for community service hours. It's a mix of faith-based and non-faith based orgs, but ALL of the faith-based orgs are Christian ones. 

[redheadbaker]

May 19, 2022 17:32:56 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

I would pursue it, but I will fight until I’m nothing but a corpse and even then people will say, “Wow, did you see that zombie out there fighting?”

I think especially given what’s coming for reproductive rights in this country, it’s time to start stomping on these absolute grifting liars.

At least this time, I know I'll have at least two other (vocal) parents on my side. 

[wanderingback]

This is a hill I will die on (knock on wood I literally don't), so yes I would pursue it again.

[erbear]

Absolutely, 100% worth pursuing.

[lemoncupcake]

Fight it for sure, especially if you now have people on your side.

Not only is the charity gross because of what they do, there are literally hundreds of other options to choose from. Why not support something that the kids can more closely identify with? Collect Clothes, school supplies, food, socks, toys, etc.

[redheadbaker]

I emailed the current middle/high school principal

"I was extremely disheartened to see a box for donations to [organization] at the school during the art show.

Today, I learned that third graders received a flyer in their Home folder asking for donations, as well.

In January of 2020, I contacted Dr. [Former Elementary Principal] regarding this organization, and its predatory practices, and she agreed that this was not an appropriate charity for the school to support.

The organization misleads women into choosing life by referring them to "crisis pregnancy centers" that lie to women about supposed complications from abortion (including the debunked claim that abortions cause breast cancer), and coerce vulnerable young women into Bible studies in order to receive their services. It is wildly inappropriate for a public school to solicit donations for a charity that operates in this way.

In addition, I looked at the school's list of pre-approved charities for community service hours. I noted the number of non-faith-based organizations, but of all of the faith-based ones, there are ONLY Christian-based organizations. This flies in the face of a school that claims to value diversity, equity and inclusion.

If the school does not currently have a policy or guardrails regarding appropriate organizations for community service hours, I strongly urge the School Board to create one."

[redheadbaker]

His response:

"I do not know you well ,but appreciate your feedback. I can assure you that our support of this organization is not politically driven [Note that I didn't mention politics in my email at all], but more driven by our desire to support single mothers and their little children who need help. Individuals in our school community can choose to help or not, but we were asked to see if we could provide necessary resources that are in short supply during these difficult times for single mothers and their children, so we thought we could help.

Just trying to help all people who need it if possible. Not politically charged at all and do not feel this violates any claim of going against diversity, equity, and inclusion if you look at the multitude of organizations we support each and every year. [District Middle/High School] has supported Backpacks for Haiti, students with special needs, more than $3,500 in teacher dress down funds for cancer research support, autism awareness support, holiday gifts for minority students in needs in our district, support for students of economic disadvantage that need to go to prom, etc.. So I am fairly confident we are supporting our district's goal!"

[hermione]

May 19, 2022 19:01:08 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

His response:

"I do not know you well ,but appreciate your feedback. I can assure you that our support of this organization is not politically driven [Note that I didn't mention politics in my email at all], but more driven by our desire to support single mothers and their little children who need help. Individuals in our school community can choose to help or not, but we were asked to see if we could provide necessary resources that are in short supply during these difficult times for single mothers and their children, so we thought we could help.

Just trying to help all people who need it if possible. Not politically charged at all and do not feel this violates any claim of going against diversity, equity, and inclusion if you look at the multitude of organizations we support each and every year. [District Middle/High School] has supported Backpacks for Haiti, students with special needs, more than $3,500 in teacher dress down funds for cancer research support, autism awareness support, holiday gifts for minority students in needs in our district, support for students of economic disadvantage that need to go to prom, etc.. So I am fairly confident we are supporting our district's goal!"

Oh hell no. Are you going to pursue further?

[muffin0]

FFRF.

Contact them, they will help!

[redheadbaker]

May 19, 2022 19:08:04 GMT -5 hermione said:

May 19, 2022 19:01:08 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

His response:

"I do not know you well ,but appreciate your feedback. I can assure you that our support of this organization is not politically driven [Note that I didn't mention politics in my email at all], but more driven by our desire to support single mothers and their little children who need help. Individuals in our school community can choose to help or not, but we were asked to see if we could provide necessary resources that are in short supply during these difficult times for single mothers and their children, so we thought we could help.

Just trying to help all people who need it if possible. Not politically charged at all and do not feel this violates any claim of going against diversity, equity, and inclusion if you look at the multitude of organizations we support each and every year. [District Middle/High School] has supported Backpacks for Haiti, students with special needs, more than $3,500 in teacher dress down funds for cancer research support, autism awareness support, holiday gifts for minority students in needs in our district, support for students of economic disadvantage that need to go to prom, etc.. So I am fairly confident we are supporting our district's goal!"

Oh hell no. Are you going to pursue further?

Hell yes. 

[wanderingback]

Even if it doesn’t change anything can you respond back to at least educate this person. I feel like a lot of people really don’t know how dangerous and deceptive fake clinics aka crisis pregnancy centers are. They literally coerce people. I could tell story after story. People being forced to watch cruel videos for hours. So anyway, there is a way to support people in need without supporting them in this specific way.

Here is a website that gives some basic info: www.exposefakeclinics.com/

[Deleted]

Is this a public school? I don’t remember from your previous posts. If so, I’d probably contact my local chapter of ACLU to see if they have any advice.

[redheadbaker]

May 19, 2022 19:18:22 GMT -5 @villainv said:

Is this a public school? I don’t remember from your previous posts. 

Yes. 

[redheadbaker]

Also, this?

"holiday gifts for minority students in need in our district"

Ick. As if there aren't any white students in need in our district? 

[macmars45]

A public school?! Hell no. Fight this. No question. 

[Bad Dingo]

What.A.Dick.

I'm so angry on your behalf and so thankful that there are people like you willing to fight.

[isabel]

May 19, 2022 19:34:04 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Also, this?

"holiday gifts for minority students in need in our district"

Ick. As if there aren't any white students in need in our district? 

Also, guarantee if you ask him what holiday they're providing gifts for... it's Christmas.

What a fucking douchebag.

[Patsy Baloney]

Yep, kill him with info. That money is not helping single parents. It’s trapping people.

Shame on this school. I’m willing to bet there’s at least one other org in your area that supports parents and doesn’t support forced births.

[Patsy Baloney]

I would request that an abortion fund be put on the list of pre-approved charities if they insist on keeping the fake clinic on there.

[goldengirlz]

You have to fight this. Or at least try. It’s unacceptable on so many levels, but the one where you might have the most ground is that this is a public school raising money for a Christian charity and it’s not acceptable.

[mcppalmbeach]

From my experience…ask the other parents who are supportive to write or call tomorrow.” They” write one person off as a nut case,But it’s hard to dismiss numbers.

[taratru]

Omg. Burn it down.

I'm always *super* hesitant to say that, because in my role, I'm the one who gets most of the parent issues,and 95% of the time it's nonsense.

This is not nonsense.

[ECB]

His emphasis on politics is very telling IMO

[redheadbaker]

May 19, 2022 21:56:01 GMT -5 mcppalmbeach said:

From my experience…ask the other parents who are supportive to write or call tomorrow.” They” write one person off as a nut case,But it’s hard to dismiss numbers.

This morning, one parent emailed the board, the superintendent and both the middle/high school and elementary principals, and BCC'ed me. 

Another parent -- the one who got the diaper drive canceled two years ago -- is not in the diversity action group, so was unaware of the parent conversation there, also messaged me last night, LIVID. She is calling the middle/high school principal today, and emailing the board. 

[redheadbaker]

I got a response from one board member this morning, saying she agrees with my position, and wants our board DEI subcommittee to look into continuing education for the administration on this subject.

[eponinepontmercy]

May 20, 2022 7:18:36 GMT -5 ECB said:

His emphasis on politics is very telling IMO

Yup.  That plus the "holiday gifts for minority students" line shows his hand pretty clearly.


redheadbaker, burn it down.  

[redheadbaker]