October 18, 2022

Note: The following article was provided to the FNP as an op/ed in response to their 10/14 article on that meeting, and they may or may not publish it so we are providing it here.

In the Board of Education, Amanda Long, a parent of two children in FCPS, correctly pointed out that a substantial number of books on gender identity already exist within the FCPS elementary schools today, and that teachers and staff are permitted to use these materials to conduct discussions related to gender identity and are in fact having those discussions. As just one example, Ms. Long provided a Facebook post by an FCPS elementary school guidance counselor describing how she uses these materials with students. Ms. Long went on to point out that FCPS confirmed that the use of these materials by elementary school teachers and staff was “acceptable” as long as the use is “not part of instruction.” Whether used by a teacher or guidance counselor the point was that before an FCPS employee uses these books in a discussion with a child, the parents should be contacted. Per policy 443, FCPS employees are restricted and sometimes prohibited from doing so, leaving parents unaware of that their child is having discussions on gender identity with an FCPS employee. Later in her comments, Ms. Long said she informed Dr. Cuppett, the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, that her children are asked “in nearly every class” what their preferred pronouns are. Dr. Cuppett responded that this is in fact considered instruction and is not permitted and should not be happening, indicating a gap in oversight at FCPS that should be investigated and closed.  

Ms. Long’s points should be heard as it illustrates that most parents may not realize that despite the BOE’s stance that they will not teach or introduce gender identity at the elementary school level, materials on the topic exists in FCPS elementary schools; that FCPS has stated discussing the topic is “acceptable” if it is not part of instruction; and that these discussions are apparently happening now and can be conducted without parental (or even BOE) knowledge. This situation — using these materials for discussions on gender identity without curriculum or parents knowledge — renders the coming opt-out process virtually useless.  Ms. Long’s entire three-minute comment is worth listening to and is available on the FCPS website*.

Michael Lyle, an FCPS parent, commented that his daughter was sent to the principal’s office because she called another student by her birth name (assumedly not her chosen gender name). He was subsequently informed by a guidance counselor that his daughter was not in trouble but “was in mediation for up to two hours” as a result of her use of the student’s legal name. Mr. Lyle pointed out that the other child directed “expletives and aggression” towards his daughter and the absurdity of his daughter being considered the offender while the other student’s behavior was not addressed as a concern. His public comments are also something all parents should listen to*. 

Whether you agree or not with the presence of gender identity lessons in FCPS and FCPS-sponsored use of preferred pronouns in schools, parents should be concerned that there is inadequate transparency and communication on the status of the FCPS programs and policies that allows the introduction of these topics to occur without an approved curriculum or the knowledge of the parents. It also seems that at these discussions can easily happen without the knowledge of the BOE or FCPS leadership, indicating a need for more effective oversight and accountability. Yes, teachers should have some autonomy in how they introduce topics and the materials they use to teach them, but this is not a history lesson or an exercise in proper grammar; this is a sensitive topic the FCPS leadership and the BOE have stated is being carefully developed before it is introduced into the classrooms and curricula and it should be given special treatment to ensure true transparency and rebuild trust. 

On July 27 we posted an article, which is still available on our website, listing the 14 FCPS elementary schools that contain books on gender identity. In a separate article, we provide detail on FCPS policy 443, which restricts and prohibits FCPS from alerting parents of their child’s gender choices. I strongly urge parents to listen to what Ms. Long, Mr. Lyle and Ms. Rose have to say (accessible through the FCPS website meetings link*) and visit our website to become more familiar with the FCPS positions on gender identity and policy 443. And most importantly, parents should discuss these topics with their child’s teachers and providing feedback to the FCPS (or to us through our email address, [email protected]). 

*Ms. Long and Mr. Lyle’s comments can be found at the one hour, 42 minute mark (1:42:20) and Ms’ Rose’s comments can be found at the two hour, 40 minute mark (2:30:43) of the replay of the meeting, which can be accessed via Board Docs (accessible in the Board of Education drop down), then click – Meetings – 2022 – BOE Meeting of 10/12. If you need assistance please contact us or the office of the Ombuds at FCPS.