America 2021…..
A Utah charter school that incorporates Black History Month into its lesson plans is now facing backlash from some after the school announced it was allowing parents to opt students out of the curriculum.
Maria Montessori Academy Director Micah Hirokawa announced the decision in a Friday post on the school’s private Facebook page, according to local news outlet the Standard-Examiner.
Hirokawa wrote that he “reluctantly” sent a letter to families stating that administrators were allowing them “to exercise their civil rights to not participate in Black History Month at the school.”
Hirokawa said in the post that “a few families” had asked not to participate in the curriculum, though he declined to tell the Standard-Examiner the exact number of parents who had contacted the school or the reasons they gave for making the request.
The public charter school director added that the demand from parents “deeply saddens and disappoints me.”
“We should not shield our children from the history of our Nation, the mistreatment of its African American citizens, and the bravery of civil rights leaders, but should educate them about it,” Hirokawa said….
Hirokawa told the Utah news outlet that the school, which serves elementary and middle school students, incorporates Black History Month into social studies and history lessons, with a particular effort this year to highlight the achievements of African American figures in U.S. history. ….
When you think of Montessori schools you typically think of a liberal education. But Montessori schools by definition allow choice in what the students learn so I am not sure this is all that surprising.
I never had the opportunity to go through black history month as a youth, and so my education suffered.
The parents of some seem to be trying get around the history and knowledge of a whole race of Americans…
Maybe they will want the school to teach the world is flat?
The article did not mention the reasons that the parents gave. perhaps it is because There aren’t that many black people in most of Utah. furthermore, the article said that only “a few” families asked not to participate. that might be four people!
Again, Montessori schools are known for non-standard flexible student-driven curiculums. Perhaps you are not familiar with the concept of Montessori schools?
We’re talking about Utah yes….
BTW…..
The Interior Sec pick could have a problem because she IS a Native American?
Racism exists everywhere, but I don’t think it is any worst in Utah than in most states.
THAT Is probably true…
But few place will si up front as in the school’s parents i’d guess…
Kinda thought something like this might happen with the story going national….
A Utah school offered parents a chance to opt children out of Black History Month instruction. Then the NAACP called.
…Maria Montessori Academy Director Micah Hirokawa posted Friday to the North Ogden, Utah, school’s Facebook page that he had sent out a letter that allowed families “to exercise their civil rights to not participate in Black History Month at the school,” the Standard-Examiner in Ogden first reported.
The letter included an opt-out form for parents to fill out after a “few families” asked not to participate, Hirokawa wrote. The school’s Facebook page appears to have since been taken down.
Hirokawa confirmed in a statement posted to a Facebook group Sunday that the school had backtracked on its decision….
More…
(Glad to see this change …)