A Michigan elementary school district is ramping up lessons for students about the use of new gender pronouns, including the phrase “tree,” which the superintendent said promotes “inclusivity.”
On April 11, Chevey Road Elementary School in DeWitt, Michigan, defended the school’s plan to “help students share and explore pronouns” with a lesson using the book “They She He Me: Free to Be!” A letter was sent to inform the people. Contains cartoon drawings of men and women with interchangeable pronouns by Maya Gonzalez. The letter also states that parents can remove their children from the curriculum.
The letter, dated April 11, said, “We would like to inform you about the lessons that will be held in your child’s classroom.” “The goal of the lesson is to enable students to share and explore pronouns through discussion and literature, embracing difference and promoting acceptance.”
“Inwardly, you may not feel like yourself at all,” the book says. “Maybe they feel the most free, and you might feel like both her and him.”
Children are taught that they can “claim” pronouns other than “he and she” by creating the way they want to be called.
“You can use your own name as a pronoun,” the book says. “You can change the pronouns from he to she or she to he. You can use new ones like ze or create your own tree-like things. Some people use it, and it’s perfect. There are more pronouns waiting to be discovered and used.”
The book also instructs children to use the pronouns they see their playmates saying, and they can always use “they” if they don’t hear the pronoun. Children are also taught to “play with pronouns” by imagining the characters’ inner lives and changing their pronouns.
Tom Barrett, a Republican candidate for the House of Representatives in the district where the school is located, called it “ridiculous gender politics.”
“There are many ways and countless books to encourage children to respect each other, but most importantly, there are many ways to encourage children to respect each other, especially when most adults are unable to keep up with evolving definitions of gender.” That doesn’t include teaching a 6-year-old,” he told FOX News Digital. “This is yet another attempt to rob children of their childhood.”
The letter was signed by Shavey Road Elementary School Principal Liz Crouch and DeWitt Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Spickard.
Superintendent Dr. Shana Spickard released a statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “The principal and I have communicated the students’ upcoming classes to the families directly involved. Although this optional mini-lesson is not part of the core curriculum, it is intended to promote inclusivity, which is a core value of the district. This is a support measure.”
“In line with our approach to a personal health curriculum, families received a letter providing an overview of the lesson and the option for their child to opt out if they wished. This mini-lesson challenges the family’s beliefs. It is not intended to advocate or change anything; instead, it is intended to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment where students feel valued.” The statement continued. “We encourage any concerned DPS parents of hers to contact their building or district administration for accurate information.”
