If you follow the Massachusetts Informed Parents Substack, you may recall our February report exposing the graphic and age-inappropriate sex ed curriculum adopted by the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District (BMRSD). This controversial curriculum, approved by a split vote of the school committee in December, introduced Comprehensive Sexuality Education as early as 2nd grade and encouraged 5th graders to trust Planned Parenthood for resources and guidance. 5th-7th graders received multiple lessons on gender ideology and diverse sexualities, extolling the virtues of preferred pronoun use and introducing students to asexuality and pansexuality. And high schoolers were instructed to use the web-based resources Bedsider and Power to Decide, which contain explicit material and connect minors with abortion providers.
Scene from an Amaze video that has now been removed from the BMRSD curriculum following parent complaints.
Rightfully, parents were furious. They brought their concerns to the school committee in both January and February, making impassioned and compelling public comments. Thanks to their voices and the advocacy of some common-sense school committee members, the committee voted in March to reconsider the curriculum, including parents in the process.
In March, BMRSD’s administration and school committee members met with parents to solicit their feedback on the new curriculum. At the March 20th school committee meeting, Superintendent DeFalco brought forward a revised curriculum. This curriculum did not remove all of the topics that parents objected to, but substantial alterations were made. It pushed gender identity discussions into 8th grade, and it removed all references to Planned Parenthood. The new curriculum passed 5-2, with two school committee members opposing it because they did not feel the changes went far enough. We commend these principled school committee members for taking a stand!
Despite not having all of the concerning material removed, parents in Blackstone and Millville should be encouraged. Because of their activism, positive change occurred in their town. While not perfect, the new curriculum represents a significant improvement.
To view the new curriculum adopted by the BMRSD, click here.
Kudos to the courageous parents and school committee members who stood up for the innocence of students! Their example is a powerful reminder that informed, engaged citizens can make a difference.
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