With school starting soon for many of our children, I wanted to give you three timely reminders of how to protect your student from those who are trying to alienate them from you and indoctrinate them in all manner of leftist ideologies.

First, we are getting reports that some student athletes are once again being told they must sign, or in some cases verbally recite, the now discredited DEI Pledge floated by the MIAA last fall. Requiring such a pledge in order to play high school sports is unconstitutional compelled speech. That’s why, after we challenged the MIAA on this, their attorney announced they would not be enforcing their policy. Apparently, some coaches didn’t get the memo. If you have a student who’s being told they have to sign the MIAA DEI Pledge, please contact our office.  We can help.

Second, when you take your child to their back-to-school physical, or any appointment, you may be asked by a nurse or doctor to leave the room. DON’T. Unfortunately, this seemingly innocuous separation from your child is often used by medical staff to question teens about sexual behavior or identity, and can lead to conversations, or even treatment, that is deemed confidential under MA law and kept hidden from parents. You have a right as the parent of a minor to stay in the exam room with your child. If the doctor doesn’t like it, find a new physician.

Finally, as we reiterated last week, now is the time to make sure your child is opted out of any sex education curriculum your local school uses.  Schools will often stick an opt out form in the back of the student handbook, where it is easily overlooked.  However, parents can simply email the principal’s office and state they are opting their child out of sex ed lessons.  Schools are notoriously uncommunicative when it comes to sex ed, so don’t wait for an announcement from the school office. Opt out today.  

For our families,

Andrew Beckwith, President & General Counsel