Officials at Washington state’s K-12 schools received an email last month suggesting they create “safe places” for their students because of 2016 political rhetoric, specifically from presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump.
The email, sent June 16 from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, opened with a mention of the “Trump Effect” and a link to the “phenomenon.”
“Regardless of one’s politics, the impact of this year’s political rhetoric on K12 schools is huge,” the email, which was provided to the Washington Examiner, said. “It has produced increasing levels of fear and anxiety among students of all ages.”
The email goes on to claim that “Fear levels are becoming especially high among ethnic, racial and linguistic minority and LGBTQ youth.”
The email insists that “Perception is reality.”
“Many students have been targeted; many, regardless of their place of birth, are worried about being deported,” the email continues. “Teachers have noted an increase in incidents of harassment, intimidation and/or bullying directed at students whose backgrounds are targeted by the rhetoric. There have even been stories of families moving or students transferring from one district to another which they perceive as safer, more inclusive.”
So what they’re saying is that a liberal state like Washington is a hotbed of bigoted students. No specific incidents are mentioned, and given the number of exaggerations and hoaxes floating around, there’s no telling how many of the reports are due to actual, objective bullying or mere hysteria.
The email notes that October is National Bullying Prevention Month and the general election is November 8, also explaining that the “presidential campaign will be in full swing when everyone returns to school in August and September.”
“Anticipate that the current situation will only intensify,” the email says.
Then it lists eight ways school officials can “start to plan ahead for the fall.” At the top of the list, it is suggested that officials “Discuss this with your staff before the start of the new school year.”
The list warns that “The rhetoric of this election campaign is something we cannot prevent,” (emphasis original) and to plan for “mitigation, protection, response — and recovery.” (Again, emphasis original.)
Officials are told to “Consider building the conversation into a start-of-the-year Anti-Bullying Kick-Off Event” and to build on the lessons from National Bullying Prevention Month.
The fifth suggested item is for school officials to “Create safe places for students (and staff) to go, to talk. Don’t ignore the impact on students, staff and families.” (Emphasis original.) The email also says to allow students to “see something; say something” in regards to political rhetoric (or bullying based there on).
In addition, OSPI instructs officials to build these discussions “into lessons across curricula.”
Remember, these are K-12 schools, and the office of the superintendent is instructing teachers to institute political bias into the classroom. And of course, it is only directed at Trump. There is no mention of the actual physical violence being committed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders supporters at Trump’s events.
Finally, staff are encouraged to “involve and talk” with families about the issue, and provides resources on bullying and harassment.
When asked by the Examiner why mention of Sanders supporters’ violence wasn’t mentioned and whether it was appropriate for institutes of education to be teaching students that perception is reality. Feelings, after all, do not equal facts. In response, OSPI provided the following statement:
“The email described a situation that educators are identifying in schools both in Washington and around the country. It was intended to alert teachers of any possible increases in harassment, intimidation or bullying in the 2016-17 school year,” it said. “The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is a nonpartisan office that neither endorses nor rejects candidates. The Office regrets if anyone was offended by the email.”
Notice the half apology: “if” anyone was offended.
When I was in high school in Florida, my teachers refused to discuss politics — they said they were told they couldn’t. I thought that was the norm and it made sense to me: Teach students how to think, not what to think. When I moved to Massachusetts, that all went out the window. Nearly every teacher was talking about how great John Kerry was (this was in 2004) and how evil Republicans are. If I hadn’t had someone (my father) giving me the counterpoint I don’t see how I ever would have been able form an educated opinion on my own and learn to listen to both sides before coming to a conclusion.
Emails like this from authority figures rob children and students of the ability to learn such an important skill.
Ashe Schow is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
