Washington Education Dept. Tells Schools to Help Students Deal withTrump Rhetoric
"Teachers are told to create “safe places,” plan for “recovery” from election rhetoric."
7.1.2016
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An official from Washington's education department has sent out emails to the state's schools, directing them to prepare students for "increasing levels of fear and anxiety" related to the “Trump effect.”
Teachers are told to create “safe places,” plan for “recovery” from election rhetoric, incorporate election-related lessons in the classroom, and provide students with “protection” who are exposed to the rhetoric.The email, which was obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation, was sent out by Mike Donlin, program supervisor of the School Safety Center for the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Donlin sent the email to a mailing list of school officials in charge of complying with state law concerning harassment, intimidation, and bullying in schools.
The subject of the email was "The Impact of the Presidential Campaign on Schools,” and recommends taking preemptive action against the harm of Trump's rhetoric.
“As we close this school year, we need to be aware of a phenomenon called the Trump Effect,” the email says. “Regardless of one’s politics, the impact of this year’s political rhetoric on K12 schools is huge. It has produced increasing levels of fear and anxiety among students of all ages. Fear levels are becoming especially high among ethnic, racial and linguistic minority, and LGBTQ youth. Perception is reality.”
The letter links to an article from and references the progressive Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks "hate group" around the country.
“Many [students], regardless of their place of birth, are worried about being deported,” he says. “There have even been stories of families moving or students transferring from one district to another which they perceive as safer, more inclusive.”
Donlin expects the problem to intensify once the school year begins again in the Fall.
“The rhetoric of this election campaign is something we cannot prevent [emphasis in original],” he says. “However, we can plan for mitigation, protection, response – andrecovery … Create safe places for students (and staff) to go, to talk. Don’t ignore the impact on students, staff and families. Allow students to ‘see something; say something’ in this very different context. Build discussions into lessons across curricula.”
The Daily Caller reached out to Donlins office and received this reply.
“The email was intended to describe a situation that educators are identifying in schools,” the statement from spokesman Nathan Olson said. “The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is a nonpartisan office that neither endorses nor rejects candidates. The Office regrets if anyone was offended by the email.”
The Freedom Center is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Therefore we do not endorse political candidates either in primary or general elections. However, as defenders of America’s social contract, we insist that the rules laid down by both parties at the outset of campaigns be respected, and that the results be decided by free elections. We will oppose any attempt to rig the system and deny voters of either party their constitutional right to elect candidates of their choice.
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