rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — Canton Area School District Board of Education heard from concerned citizens and parents at their February meeting in the school’s library.
Canton Township resident Pamela Denlinger spoke of her concerns of critical race theory in the school district and wanted to thank board members who responded to her email on the subject last month.
“Thank you for your response to my email last month expressing concerns about Ms. Essick. Dr. Briggs’ response was polite but gave a vague explanation stating it was a personnel matter and cannot be discussed and that students’ safety will be taken seriously. What I want to know is, do any of you on the school board share our concern about this situation?” she asked, noting that there is outrage between some of the parents.
She asked the school board to consider a resolution forbidding curriculum in the classrooms concerning critical race theory.
“Many people are not exactly sure what critical race theory is, and don’t recognize it when they see it. I have been learning about this myself.”
As defined, Critical Race Theory is a cross-disciplinary intellectual and social movement of civil-rights scholars and activists who seek to examine the intersection of race and law in the United States and to challenge mainstream American liberal approaches to racial justice.
“I call it the gospel according to Satan,” said Denlinger. “The nature of evil is to destroy the Devine, and that’s characteristic of CRT.”
The email in question was from teacher and LGBTQ+ Liason Kalyn Essick, dated for 2:51 p.m. on Jan. 11.
The email was titled “Free Book for any LGBTQ+ Student - Just respond. The email read: “Good Afternoon, If anyone is interested in the book/journal Free to be Me that’s geared towards LGBTQ+ teens, please let me know and the PRIDE club will purchase it for you, free of charge. Once they are in, you will be called to my room individually for privacy purposes. Just respond back to this email by January 18th that you’re interested and I’ll get you on the list. See attached picture for what it looks like. If you want additional pictures of what the inside looks like, you may request those as well (I have 3 examples). I’ll put the description from Amazon.com below: “Complete with hilarious and thoughtful color illustrations, readers are encouraged to explore their own story with writing prompts and empowering activities coupled with important stories of LGBTQ+ history from antiquity to the present. No self-respecting young adult will want to put this book down... and if they don’t have self-respect yet, this book will challenge them to dig deep and find it. This is the perfect gift for out-and-proud set, anyone peeking their head out of the closet, and friends and allies alike.”
The email was addressed to seventh through 12th grade students at Canton Area High School. It was not confirmed by the district if these were current or past students (recent 12th grade graduates).
Parent and Canton Township resident Sylvia Adams spoke on behalf of high school teacher. Adams herself has a child who identifies on the LBGTQ+ spectrum.
“I’m here to speak in support of Miss Essick, the email she sent out last month, and the pride club here at Canton High School,” said Adams, who then reported LGBT facts to the board.
“Lack of support and outright rejection from family members can have a devastating effect. It is estimated that young LGBTQ people who feel rejected by their family are: four times more likely to report suicide attempts; 9 times more likely to report high levels of depression; four times more likely to use illegal drugs,” she said.
Adams stated that a positive and supportive school environment can hugely support and strengthen the well-being of LGBTQ young people.
“To the parents that are afraid that an email ‘exposed’ their kids to something they aren’t ready for, should my child be taken out of school too? Should they not be allowed the same experience of any straight student or be made to feel that they don’t belong or should hide who they are?” she said. “The same people complaining sexuality should be left out of school are the same ones asking a 4-year-old if they have a boyfriend or girlfriend, so this isn’t about kids being exposed to adult issues it’s about homophobia and bigotry.”
Adams concluded that she feels all kids should feel welcome at school, especially if they don’t feel that way at home.
“If that mass email Mrs. Essick sent out makes just one child feel accepted, loved, seen, wouldn’t it be worth it?”
No comment was publicly made by the board concerning this topic.