Improper Teacher Behavior or am I overreacting? ( graphic inside-adult only )?

Question

Just a little background info –
-My daughter’s grade is 4th
-She attends a Catholic School
-Age range in the class is 8-10
-Teacher is in her 60s and female
-I nor any of my family is Catholic but send our daughter to this school for her best change of a good education

Here is the question. My daughter came home yesterday and let me know that here teacher was discussing the “chosen ones” vs. the “Jews” in some type of scripture reference. She then proceeded to draw out a graphic version of a penis on the chalkboard (hair and all). Then she explained how the “chosen ones” at a young age were circumcised then she erased the hair to simulate a young mans penis, then erased the top of the penis and said that is circumcision.
I’m I overreacting or should I have a conference with the teacher and raise some hell

- No letter was sent home and this was just a discussion the teacher had durring the regular call hours.

Answer 1

You should be on the phone to the principal or in the office now instead of asking on the board. In 12 years of Catholic education, the only thing which came remotely (and very remotely) close was our class in Senior year of high school on sex & marriage (taught by a nun & a priest - yeah the 2 foremost authorities on the subjects). Get to the bottom of this NOW.

Answer 2

Okay... either you're hearing the story wrong, or your daughter's teacher is a moron.

The Jewish boys are circumsized for religious reasons... of course, these days, especially if you are in the US, Gentile boys are almost as often. But it would not have been "the Jews" vs. "the chosen ones." The Jews ARE "the chosen ones", and are the ones who are circumsized.

Beside the point....

HELL NO I would not be okay with a teacher teaching that way. Not only is it inappropriate, that's just unprofessional.... She just ERASED the top of the penis and said "that's circumcision"? No it's not. It's an eraser.

Considering the church's long-time stance on sex, I find it insane that they would authorize a teacher to do that.

Bring it up to the headmaster. I really don't think that would be approved.

At the VERY least, the teacher should not have done that without your knowledge and consent, at that age. Trying to EXPLAIN circumcision is one thing, drawing a picture of a penis, with pubic hairs and all, and then erasing the end of it to claim that's circumcision is quite another.

I'm not Catholic. I'm not a prude, though, and I do tell my sons the truth to the best of my ability if they ask questions, but that is taking it WAY to far, seeing as she is the teacher, and did not have the parents' consent.


EDIT: I can imagine how the conversation got started. There are some New Testament references to circumsizion, as well as numerous mentions of it in the Old Testament. If the kids came across that scripture in a Bible class, I would see the problem... they'd probably ask what that word is. But a crude yet detailed drawing of a penis, then effectively castrating it and calling it circumsizion, takes things to a REALLY different level.

Answer 3

I cannot fathom how it's the teacher's place to teach 4th graders about circumcision as far as it's relavance to scripture. With your description, with *hair* and all, it's just over the top. Moreover, I can't quite see where the circ issue came into the discussion at all as while Jews are nearly always circumsized. Yeah, I'd be getting the teacher's side of what went on (sometimes we get just part of the story from our kids) and if you don't get a *really* good explanation, I'd be talking to the headmaster. With the issues the Catholic church is having with appropriate behavior among it's leaders, he should give the matter his complete attention. You can't really fault the woman for the "chosen one vs Jew" thing; it is a Catholic school and it's their right to advocate Catholic superiority, but the penis thing is just plain wrong. If it were a 40 year old man drawing penises up there, there would be no question in anyone's mind that he was sick.

Answer 4

I wouldn't raise hell but I would definately have a conference with the teacher, if not the principal if this bothers you. It would bother me, but then again when I was in 5th grade is when I had my 1st sex ed class so there isn't much difference. A letter should have been sent home.

A big worry of mine is...why send your daughter to a catholic school if you're not catholic? Isn't that a direct violation of most of what they are teaching her in school (and thus a bit confusing for her)? I am a christian, but I don't think I would send my child to a christian school as I feel there is a little "brainwashing" involved in religious schools. If you want her to have the best education possible, send her to a reputable private school but if you want her to learn about the "real world" send her to public school.

Answer 5

Don't "raise hell", especially not in front of your kid. That causes all sorts of additional problems. Do contact the teacher FIRST to discuss the issue. How did the topic come up? Did a student initiate it and others also had interest? Remember that kids are inquisitive. They want to know these things whether you think they're ready or not. Some kids are ready earlier than others. If you don't like what you hear, then contact the principal or director to voice your concerns.

Your daughter attends a catholic school. They learn about religion and the differences between them. This is one of those religious differences. Drawing a picture may not have been needed, but the topic is relevant.

Personally, I don't think sex ed should be such a hot topic. It's natural. It's life. As long as it's not being taught as hot and dirty, it's not hot or dirty. It's facts.

I know a lot of teachers dread teaching SE because of all the attention it gets. I personally loved teaching it because it's so fascinating. And that's how I presented it (to 4th graders as mandated by state law), as a fascinating, natural topic. There's no reason to be embarrassed by it.

Answer 6

I would have a chat with her. Why would you need a graphic to discuss the concept of circumcision?! And there were a number of ways God had the Jews show themselves to be separate- she could have discussed any of these! It should be a parent's task to discuss these sensitive sexual topics, not a teacher.
I would also have a talk with the school's principal or dean- they may be unaware of just how the teacher is broaching this subject. Make them aware of the fact and that you feel it is inappropriate.

Answer 7

Conference time. That's not even Sex Ed. What did she really GAIN from that? Some old lady's opinion on what genital modification has to do with religious status. Useless in the real world and not worth subjecting a 9 year old to. If you feel it was wrong then let them know.

You're the one who's ultimately responsible for making sure she gets a good education, grows up well etc. Not them.

Answer 8

I would go to the school and ask why you were not informed that the teacher was gonna discuss this in class. And that should not be taught to 8 to 10 year olds. i did know about this stuff till i was at least 15.

Answer 9

In most cases it is up to the school to provide you with a letter telling you that your child will be learning this. HOWEVER, you have sent your child to a Catholic school. Being that it is this sort of school, it is not state regulated because of the separation of Church and State. It may be within their right to teach as they will. Just on a side note... most of the drug users I have come in contact with or the people who are generaly bad (theft or what have you) have come straight out of Catholic school... the regular kids that went on to higher education... went to Public School... you should research the school your child is attending to see what the graduation rate is and what the children do after school compaired to your local public school system. Good luck... call the school and do your homework.

Answer 10

I would have a problem with this. Why does your 4th grade daughter need to know this????? It's not sex ed. I would call the principal and tell him/her you are not comfortable with this topic being drawn for your young daughter and at the very less feel you should have had prior notice to the subject being discussed.