Founders Memorial School, a Vermont-based elementary school, recently announced that it would no longer use the terms "male" and "female" when teaching fifth-grade students about human reproduction and puberty.
Principal Sara Jablonski sent a letter to families on April 20, informing them of the shift toward "gender-inclusive language" in the curriculum.
This decision is part of the school's broader equity policy, which encourages person-first language. In keeping with this policy, educators will now refer to individuals as "persons who produce sperm" instead of "boys" or "males," and "persons who produce eggs" in place of "girls" or "females."
The Essex Westford School District oversees Founders Memorial School and is modifying educational materials to reflect these changes.
The District's updated curriculum will focus on "the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty and briefly introduce the basic structure and function of human reproductive systems." Parents and guardians interested in reviewing the revised materials can access them in a binder in the school's main office.
Erika Sanzi, Director of Outreach for the parents' rights organization Parents Defending Education, shared the letter on Twitter and expressed her disapproval of the policy change. The group provided a statement to Fox News Digital, claiming that such language is "dehumanizing" and accusing the school of neglecting its educational responsibilities.
The announcement has ignited a range of reactions on Twitter, with some users likening the policy to Aldous Huxley's dystopian novel "Brave New World." Others have called for students to be removed from public schools in response to the change.
In June 2021, the Essex Westford School District's school board implemented a new equity policy. According to the Burlington Free-Press, this policy requires "anti-racist and LGBTQIA+ affirming perspectives" to guide curriculum decisions, beginning with pre-kindergarten classes. An 8-1 vote approved the policy.
The Founders Memorial School's decision to adopt gender-inclusive language in its curriculum reflects a growing trend in educational institutions as they strive to accommodate the needs of diverse student populations. While some see this shift as a positive step toward inclusivity, others argue that it detracts from the traditional educational model and may create confusion among students.
As the debate surrounding the use of gender-neutral language in schools continues, educators and parents must weigh the potential benefits of inclusivity against the potential drawbacks of departing from established norms.
With the Essex Westford School District standing firmly behind its equity policy, it is unclear how other schools and districts will respond to the growing call for inclusivity in education.
In the meantime, Founders Memorial School's decision has prompted discussions about the role of public education in shaping societal values. As the debate unfolds, it is clear that the conversation surrounding gender-neutral language and inclusivity in education is far from over.
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