Erie, IL school board bans inclusive/anti-bullying resources

The Erie Community Unit School District school board in Erie, IL, has banned widely-used elementary school resources that teach respect for all families and address the anti-gay name-calling that has been documented in Erie schools.

The ban includes The Family Book by Todd Parr and anything associated with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), including the proven bullying prevention program No Name-Calling Week (endorsed by over 50 national education and youth organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America) and Ready, Set, Respect, lesson plans created in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The superintendent has since clarified that the ban applies to any material that addresses “alternative lifestyles.”

These well-respected, age-appropriate, and effective resources are used in thousands of schools across the country and were even wholeheartedly recommended by a district-appointed committee of parents, educators and community members. There has been an outcry of support for all of the banned materials, with over 100 Erie parents signing a petition to call for the reversal of the ban. Unfortunately, the school board president, who has publicly called teaching the bible in schools a "good idea" will not reconsider.

No child is too young to learn how anti-LGBT language is hurtful to people in their community!  Tell the Erie, IL school district that they should value the health and safety of their students by signing this petition and sharing it with your friends: http://www.change.org/petitions/erie-school-board-reverse-prejudicial-ban-on-glsen-and-other-anti-bullying-resources.