School principal gave parents the choice to opt students out of watching Black History Month program
A high school in Denver is under fire for sending home a form that gave parents an “opt-out” option that would clear their children from having to sit through a Black History Month assembly.
—Michelle Obama on running for president and why she cried for 30 minutes when she left White House—
On Tuesday, a George Washington High School official sent parents an email explaining that the school was planning an African-American Heritage Month assembly in March and they could opt to exclude their children from the assembly if they chose so.
“Students who opt-out of the assembly will be supervised in the library for the duration of the assembly and will return to their second-period class at the conclusion of the assembly to continue the school day,” the letter said.
That didn’t sit well however with parents and community members who were outraged at the suggestion. The school was slammed for sending the insensitive letter given that history is educational.
The backlash was so swift that the Principal Kristin Waters quickly retracted the letter and removed the option, making it mandatory for all, according to the Denver Post.
“As we continue the important work of dismantling systemic racism, segregation and inequity in education, and specifically at George Washington High School, we appreciate our community holding us accountable,” Waters wrote. “To expand the perspectives and learning opportunities for all of our students, it is counter-productive to promote the opportunity to opt-out of an assembly examining any part of history, culture or current events.”
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The Black History month program was reportedly voted in by the Denver Board of Education to add to “enhance the success of its Black and African-American students.”
After Water made the announcement to eliminate the opt-out option, Denver Public Schools also released a statement.
“After hearing the concerns expressed by George Washington High School families, school leaders responded as rapidly as possible to correct the assembly opt-out policy so that it better reflects the school’s commitment to all students,” spokesman Will Jones said.
“The school deeply appreciates the GW community for providing feedback and advocacy, and is grateful for the opportunity to remedy this,” he added.
