Strong Foundations Charter School is n the process of developing a school policy on flags that are hung in the classroom. A Google Meeting with parents and administrators last week, called for a committee to develop a policy on PRIDE flags hanging in the classroom.
A few parents made the argument that PRIDE flags should hang in the classrooms to help LGBTQ+ children feel welcome in the school. One parent commented that their LGBTQ+ student felt welcome, but several still felt that having PRIDE flags visible in the classrooms would go a long way to make sure that these students were welcome in the school.
There was no discussion about how religious students are welcomed. But maybe they will discuss this when they form the committee to develop a new policy.
During the discussion it was revealed that students were surveyed on what they thought about all of this. One parent mentioned that she wasn’t happy that her child was surveyed without her knowledge or consent. That would violate state law since non-academic surveys must be available to parents to review, and parents must also consent. I ended up asking the New Hampshire Department of Education to conduct an investigation.
There was also a request for students to be part of this policy making committee. Some parents commented to me privately that they wondered why children would be part of this decision
Families escape public schools for several reasons. It could be the culture, it could be the low quality of academics, but many times it’s because political agendas are pushed on their children.
Why not a policy on religious symbols in the school to help religious students feel comfortable? How about a Crucifix, the Star of David, or the Crescent Moon and Star? Why are religious students always left out? Whatever policy they come up with, many parents are privately saying they just want the political statements out of their child’s classroom. How will other parents respond? What happens if a family demands a satanic flag be flown? What about a pro-life flag? A Christian flag?
If it were me, I’d demand my political flags be flown, too, just like Hal Shurtleff.
In Shurtleff vs City of Boston, Hal Shurtleff sued the City of Boston for flying for refusing to fly a Christian flag after they decided to fly the PRIDE flag. Once you open the door for political messaging, you can expect parents to begin requesting their political viewpoints be represented, too.
