Is this appropriate material for my son's preschool teachers to be handing out to parents?

Question

They handed me a photocopied flyer from a religious group urging me to protest a new state bill (SB777 in California) that would require homosexuals and trans-gendered individuals to be included on the list of people who are protected from discrimination. This flyer was generated by a church group called "saveourkids.net" and it extrapolates a future, if this bill is enforced, that will eliminate prom kings and queens, gender-specific bathrooms, and will prohibit teachers from referring to parents as "mom and dad". The bill does nothing of the sort.
This preschool is a private school but they receive state money for meals and transportation. I specifically asked when I was investigating the school if they were church-affiliated or did they give any religious instruction, and they assured me they did not.
I feel this flyer is inappropriate, but I don't want to over react.
I am a non-believer and do not agree with the contents, but that is beside the point, I think.

Answer 1

It's flatly inappropriate for a private school to hand out any form of political material unless it's a practice made clear when you sign up. Is it illegal? Probably not, even with public funds being used. The separation of church and state isn't so separate these days.

If the school hands out anti-gay propaganda, I'd worry they may teach antiquated gender roles. For example, would an instructor "correct" a boy for playing with dolls, or a girl for pretending to be a firefighter? God help them if one of the kids has a stay-at-home-dad.

I'm not one to raise a ruckus because these are the people caring for and teaching your child in your absence. Have you ever complained about food at a restaurant and wondered if the chef retaliated when he "fixed" your meal?

Chat with other parents and see how they feel. You might, as a group, approach the school.

Vote with your wallet. Get your child on waiting lists for two other preschools, assuming they don't require a deposit. When an opening finally comes your way, you'll take it, or decide to stay put. Either way, it's good to have choices.

Answer 2

Produce a flyer of your own, countering the idiot scare tactics and the factual errors in this one.

Include information about the requirement not to promulgate religious nonsense in schools that receive state funding (for anything). If you can get a quote from the head or a member of the schoolboard (who is prepared to let you use it) about the unsuitability of this material of this nature, include that.
Get a policy determination from the school that backs up their verbal contract with you regarding their church non-affiliation and the unsuitability of using the school for religious or political campaigning. Include that.

Send the flyer to the head and each member of the schoolboard with a covering note that explains calmly, without hyperbole or mention of your own position regarding the faith of others why you have produced it. Make it clear you think the teacher in question is a fine teacher, but that you think she should not be using the school for religious or political campaigning.

Ask permission to distribute the flyer back to the teacher.

Distribute a single flyer. To the teacher.

Answer 3

That's pretty strange. More than likely, it was one employee who brought the papers in and convinced the other workers to help hand them out. Yes, it is inappropriate because they aren't a religious pre-school. However, they are private, so they may be prefectly able to pass out political papers whether they receive state money or not. The best bet would be to complain to the head of the preschool that someone is handing out religious/political materials and you don't appreciate it. If the director approved the pamphlets, I would start looking for another preschool that fits with your views.

Answer 4

i don't know the legal answer to your question (though you've interested me so i think i might research it later) but i do think it's inappropriate. i would probably respond by referencing the flyer and asking the director what other political or religious positions the school was taking. i'd also inquire again whether any political or religious positions were being taken with the kids. if the flyer came from the school, i'd ask the teacher if they agreed with it. if it came from the teacher, i'd be even more concerned, and ask the school whether it was consistent with policy.

Answer 5

I would simply contact the school about it. I'm sure you won't be the first (nor the last) to bring up the subject. Many people are blowing this bill way out of proportion. There was a "question" about it awhile back that just confused me. Nowhere in the bill does it talk about unisex bathrooms and things like that. *rolls eyes* I'm a Christian, but I'm sometimes disappointed in the things that these extremists come up with. Its embarrassing. I hope you don't think that all of us are like that. lol

Answer 6

The school might not have fully paid attention and as long as there is the freedom of speech we have the freedom to not listen and toss material in the trash. Don't worry too much about this unless the schools starts forcing beliefs and other things on your child specifically that you don't agree with.

Answer 7

i would say that that is a little inappropriate. And there is a good chance that it violates the seperation of church and state, as they are receiving government help. Make a few discreet calls to your school board and find out if they are even aware that this material is being circulated.

Answer 8

Tell the teacher you do not think the school should hand out flyer like this at school. If the teacher continues to do this talk to the school board or her supervisor.

Answer 9

First find out if the owners of the school knew about the hand out. It may be just one teacher on her own evangelistic mission. If it is not and the school misrepresented it self to you then you have the hard choice.

Answer 10

very inappropriate no one should push their opinion onto you as a parent. you should definitely report it to the higher ups at the school where your child attends and keep on them about their progress with this situation. Remember they might throw it by the wayside but it is important to you and obviously important to the person who is trying to get you to conform to their opinion.