Reminder: Keep Kids at Home June 3rd
+ Be informed about what's happening in your childrens' schools and classrooms
‘Tis the season – ‘Sexual Health’ season. It’s also what both of our Waterloo Region publicly funded boards (WRDSB and WCDSB) label ‘PRIDE month’.
The teaching and messaging for this devotion will vary from school to school and from teacher to teacher. No one 'public' school is more or less impacted by this than a 'Catholic' school. The only way to know how your child’s educator will address this topic is to ask.
Many students will also cover Human Development and Sexual Education topics over the course of this month.
Facts for Parents of Waterloo Region (POWR):
This is the guidance our elementary teachers receive from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). Take a look and decide if you consent to this direction:
Here are the direct links to the ‘Other Resources’:
Just because a topic is not in the curriculum does not mean a teacher won't address it or use a question from the class as a 'teachable moment.'
Supplementary books are not determined by the ministry.
There are no policies preventing teachers from bringing in any books or 'educational' materials they see as (subjectively) appropriate.
Not all teachers will respond to the same question with the same message.
What We Can All Do:
Consider taking a stand by keeping your kids home on June 3, 2024, as a day of protest to schools, boards, and government officials. This action aims to express the collective dissatisfaction parents and people of Waterloo Region are experiencing with the publicly funded schools and the harmful ideologies being imposed on our society.
Ask your teachers and principals the questions that will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to keep your children home or send them to school for any other day of the "Sexual Education" or "PRIDE" activities.
Helpful Notes to Help You Take Action:
To accompany the 'Keep Kids Home' protest, some wonderful parents and grandparents of Waterloo Region have graciously organized a potluck and games at the park! Join families from around the region on June 3rd for a fun-filled afternoon of play and connection while simultaneously taking a stand and communicating to the WCDSB and the WRDSB that we do not comply with DEI!
Email navigate4GPS@protonmail.com with any questions!
Questions to consider asking your child’s teacher:
Ask for the Sex Ed ‘lesson plan’ - review it prior to the teacher reviewing it in class and ask for elaborations for anything you’re questioning
‘Will there be contracted/external organizations coming to the school to teach my child Sex Ed?’
‘How do you answer the question: What does the PRIDE flag represent?'
‘How do you answer the question: What does 2SLGBTQAI+ mean/represent?'
‘Do you discuss sexual orientation in your classroom? If so, how do you address it?’
‘Will you be following the direction from the school board and/or the ETFO in your lesson plan this month?’
‘Do you plan on having any 'PRIDE' or 'Inclusive' specific activities, presentations, or books for what WRDSB/WCDSB terms PRIDE month in June? If so, please indicate what they are.’
Questions to consider asking your child’s principal:
‘Will there be any formal or informal ceremony or event, such as raising a flag?’
‘Will there be any events, games, or assemblies during this time? If so, what is their focus, who will be organizing them, and when will they take place?’
‘Will any external or contracted organizations or groups be coming into the school for the purposes of 'WRDSB PRIDE month' or 'inclusivity'?’
‘Has our school been given specific direction on incorporating ‘inclusivity’ in their classrooms? If so, what is it?’