The influential Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., is warning parents of "brazen" indoctrination plans being pursued by teachers, even in elementary schools.
The latest instance, FRC explains, is in Florida, where a fifth-grade teacher sent home a note to parents mandating that students use only politically correct pronouns in class.
"One thing that you should know about me is that I use gender neutral terms. My prefix is Mx. (pronounced Mix). Additionally, my pronouns are 'they, them, their' instead of 'he, his, she, hers.'"
The Tallahassee Democrat newspaper reported math and science teacher Chloe Bressack gave the instructions to students and parents with the full support of Paul Lambert, the principal at Canopy Oaks.
"We support her preference in how she's addressed, we certainly do. I think a lot of times it might be decided that there is an agenda there, because of her preference – I can tell you her only agenda is teaching math and science at the greatest level she can," Lambert said.
FRC commented: "It's hard enough to raise kids these days without worrying if their teachers are working against you! Unfortunately, that's exactly what seems to be happening in public schools these days, as elementary schools become even more brazen in their liberal indoctrination.
"What if a student is most comfortable being their actual gender (which, I assume in the fifth grade, would be the majority)? What if embracing this radical ideology (one the American College of Pediatricians calls 'child abuse') is uncomfortable and scary … ? Don't their feelings matter? Local parents certainly think it should. Moms and dads are fuming about the policy, which they made quite clear on a Facebook group."
FRC asked: "How can a person teach science at the 'greatest level' if she doesn't understand basic biology? Or the English language? Apart from being outrageous, the plural pronouns 'they, them, and theirs' are incorrect for addressing a single child. When pressed, Lambert did admit to reporters that the school had fielded a lot of calls from concerned parents who object to the reeducation of their kids. But even Superintendent Rocky Hanna refuses to intervene.
"In a tone-deaf statement to the Tallahassee Democrat, he insisted that 'teachers in our district will not be allowed to use their influence in the classroom to advance any personal belief or political agenda. At this time, I do not believe that is the case in this instance.' Then what, exactly, is this – apart from a gross misunderstanding of a teachers' role, scientific law, and the rules of grammar? How would they respond if a teacher in Mr. Hanna's district sent a letter home saying they would only use the proper biologically correct pronouns in a classroom? Would they support that teacher as not promoting an agenda?"
The organization warned: "It's time for more moms and dads to run for seats on the school board, where they can take back control of our classrooms. As my good friend, Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., says, 'We need to push back our vision as Christians to not just vote – but run for office or recruit other Christians to run. We should be just as focused on filing day as we are Election Day!"