*** ONLY SIGN IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT, STUDENT (AGE 15 YEARS AND UP), OR AN EMPLOYEE OF LAKELAND SCHOOL DISTRICT***

Imagine if your child was taught to feel guilty and ashamed of the color of their skin.  This ideology is based on an agenda that America is an inheritably racist country.  This is the framework for the changes interwoven into the NY state curriculum and is referred to as Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education. This is the complete opposite of what MLK fought for and dreamed for our nation, as quoted "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

This petition is created to stop the indoctrination of the students of Lakeland Central School District, K-12 to systemic bigotry of critical race theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI).

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is the soft introduction to CRT. Lakeland School District has already hired NYU Steinhardt and did not inform parents and community members as many were unaware.  An Equity Task Force was created.  

Equality is not Equity.  Our nation was founded on hard work, perseverance and determination with strides that everyone regardless of color, can achieve.  Now, Equity is not the same, as this says that everyone regardless of the above will have and achieve the same outcome.    

Teachers and educators should teach children HOW to think not WHAT to think!  The issues are that with any form of CRT being taught, without a structured curriculum, the teachings will be too vague and biased with teaching methodologies.   Teaching any form of CRT is divisive and abusive to our children! 

WE, the parents are asking for accountability, transparency, respect and our parental rights back in the Lakeland schools. 

We, the parents of Lakeland Schools demand a team be formed of parents to bridge the GAP between the BOE and the parents of the community.  

If parents find that the teachers or educators are teaching DEI, their opinions, personal beliefs, or ideologies, swift action needs to be taken immediately to ensure the overall well-being of students in the classroom will be without retaliation.   

·         If at any time a student does not feel comfortable in class with a lesson being taught, the child has the right to excuse themselves and the school must contact a parent or guardian without any negative consequences.  If this is not allowed, the school will be held accountable for emotional abuse.

·         Classrooms, activity areas, and public areas within the school and its buildings must have live camera streaming at all times, that parents have permission to view as needed.  If not allowed, parents need to have access to the live streaming of the teacher during the teaching of instructional time in the classroom.

·         A “safe space” needs to be established for children to go to independently, while waiting for parental guidance. 

·         If all protocols and suggestions fail to be implemented than we as parents, must have the right for our children to be in the least restrictive environment by having school choice vouchers following our children.

This petition supports the traditional education of our children and denies any further tax dollars be spent towards the progressive indoctrination of our children.

Sincerely, 

PARENTS AND RESIDENTS OF THE LAKELAND SCHOOL DISTRICT