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Afraid that school is going to do bad things to their kids - they hear this from certain corners of facebook

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Afraid that school is going to do bad things to their kids - they hear this from certain corners of facebook

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PD: How to ask critical thinking questions. How to respond to parental views and beliefs. How you allow a space for these conversations. 

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PD: How to ask critical thinking questions. How to respond to parental views and beliefs. How you allow a space for these conversations. 

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School's going to do harmful or unsafe for students.  General theme is that schools are teaching CRT, vaccinate students, force students into quarantine.  These fears are based on social media as opposed to things students have experienced.

Concerns are expressed about the tenor of instruction- great American heroes from our history (i.e. Washington, Jefferson, etc.) should be presented that way- not emphasizing/focusing on the "negatives".  People showing up at school committee meetings making accusations about what they believe schools to be engaging students in.

Our job is to teach students to be critical thinkers, provide multiple perspectives, and have students engage with the facts.  The general feeling is that schools/elitists are the enemy.

The amount of backlash and hatred that's being expressed when something is contrary to the individual's/group's thinking.

Comments about policy revisions regarding the prohibition of bullying behaviors toward staff.   One system has adopted a "Civility Policy" to address concerns that the system was experiencing.

Question about how schools address issues where staff has with students and others in ways that are not within the parameters of "appropriate behavior".

One system talks with staff when concerns are brought forward.  Working with high school principal to set up some PD that supports them in engaging students in critical thinking.  The intent is to help teachers develop the "guardrails" to facilitate contentious conversations in the classroom.  Behaving in an unbiased manner is critical.

One school is experiencing negative conversations focused on the pandemic and the protocols, guidelines, etc.  When these individuals are engaged in a conversation, most of them end up expressing frustration about the current circumstances.  Note about concerns over a book that was being used in the context of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Different dynamic with choice school circumstances- when parents/guardians don't agree with what's being practiced, in policy, etc., they can leave the school.

Challenges for districts when needing to address issues with staff that are engaging students in classrooms that is unhelpful.  There is recognition that we are also members of the larger society and the need to support educators in navigating these difficult waters.  The sense is that this might reduce some of the difficulties.  There are questions about where a system needs to establish balance/center.  There was a reflection expressed about whether the participant's system is being courageous in holding difficult topics up for examination. (Hopefully this captures the sentiment about the reflection.)

Administrative regulation- this is a phrase that's been included in policy which gives the administrators have discretion in addressing concerns.

Note about books- wanting to provide students with the texts that they're interested in (ex. graphic novels).  Some of these texts contain information that's sensitive and/or is graphic.  As the district has reviewed book ordering procedures, the sense is that tightening this as a system may be necessary and helpful. This would help move the conversation out of the personal realm.

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How is the current landscape impacting us, as educators?  How are we responding to these circumstances?

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How is the current landscape impacting us, as educators?  How are we responding to these circumstances?

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Recommended podcast- South Lake

The thinking is that what transpired at South Lake may be experienced across the country.    School boards, in many ways, are not prepared for people to break the rules and come at board members in an angry manner.

It was noted that issues have come to the forefront at odd times- concerns expressed  about pooled testing, but it has been occurring since November.

In a recent election for school committee members, there were many candidates running that had identified specific issues with which they were frustrated like masking.  In this case, the community was firmly behind the candidates that were supportive of the schools.

It was noted that the concerns about the amount of time and energy some people are demanding with respect to addressing contentious issues.

It was also noted that there have been attempts at the local level to win seats/positions at the local level in order to have an impact on local policy and practices.

The group discussed the importance of the language that's used when engaging in dialogues.  We need to be cognizant about the labels that are used and how they might be offensive.

It was noted by an individual that reflected on current circumstances around being lied to.  Helpful words were, "Everyone's trying to get their needs met.  They're not lying to you, they're manipulating you."  Another piece of sage advice was "You need to seek to understand."

Challenges with parents/guardians expecting schools to make individual adjustments to meet their needs.

There was a thought shared, "We've got to figure out how to support each other in being better interpersonally."  Can we focus on skills around how to compromise, to reflect on what our inner selves are telling us, etc.?

We need to remember that there's always a reason why people do what they do.  This guidance has been helpful when working through difficult circumstances.

We need to remember that there are others among us that can help shoulder the "burdens", difficult situations, difficult stakeholders, etc.

It's also important for us to remember why chose to engage in the work.  What things help us keep that in the forefront? (Going to sporting events, visit classrooms, engage with students, etc.)

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Where are parents gathering within your communities? Please respond here.

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Where are parents gathering within your communities? Please respond here.

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Challenging behaviors are becoming more challenging.  Any kind of change is being seen as more disruptive than in the past.  Important/difficult to communicate the structural changes.  A solution is time.

Reframing has to happen. With the complaining, it also indicates care for the education of their children.  Attempt to seek to understand before responding.  This applies to learners, too.  How can you figure out the supports needed to cope and have those coping skills?

Is it communication our stakeholders want or is it relationships they want?

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Sensitive and Controversial topics being communicated at board meetings. Then the community believes this is what is happening in schools. This leads to mistrust that is not real.

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Social Media, Sports groups and not connected due to overwhelmed to survive with a pandemic.

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A challenge is turnover with board members, staff and Supt. Almost have to go back to the basics with the vision. Another challenge is staff and community stress. The impression was that this year was going to be easier and the result is the opposite which adds to the stress. Observing some teacher helplessness. Teacher loss of efficacy, which is discouraging. Use of brief videos to remind of vision and to give hope to staff has been somewhat effective.