We want to share an important update.

Following student protest and strong advocacy, the district has shifted its position. Students are now being allowed to opt in to read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao in AP Literature.

This change did not happen by accident. It happened because students spoke up, families paid attention, and people like you made it clear that intellectual freedom matters.

That said, serious concerns remain.

The book has not been fully restored to the standard curriculum. Instead, students must now affirmatively opt in to read a text that had been taught for more than a decade. Other works in the curriculum that include themes of death and suicide do not require opt in. This inconsistency raises questions about how decisions are being made.

We also remain concerned about the narrative that suggests literature contributes to student mental health crises. Our students are facing real challenges, and they deserve expanded supports. But books do not cause tragedy. Silencing or sidelining complex stories does not solve underlying issues.

This petition has always been about two things: protecting students’ right to read and ensuring district policies are followed consistently and transparently.

Progress has been made. The work is not finished.

Please continue sharing this petition. Continued visibility ensures that decisions about curriculum remain thoughtful, consistent, and aligned with the district’s commitment to intellectual freedom.

Thank you for standing with the students.