There is currently a petition out attempting to ban over 140 books in the TCA library.

• UPDATE: After speaking with the authors of this petition, it has come to our attention that the request (which was attached in a letter since removed from their petition) to “Remove the identified books from circulation in the school library immediately” only applied to 12 books. The list of 140 books is those which currently require parent permission to be checked out. Whether 140 books, or 12 books, or 1 book,  this request is still a proposed book ban with major consequences for our school. However, we apologize for this inaccuracy. 

Books are a vital resource for students, providing diverse perspectives that encourage insightful reflections and robust debates—a crucial part of a thriving educational environment. Disappointingly, our school is facing a movement to ban specific books from our library. 

As per the American Library Association, proposed book bans have been on the rise in America, escalating by a shocking 14.1% between 2018-2019 (Source: ALA). This growing trend undermines the fundamental democratic principle of free speech.

Our school library, in its literary offerings, provides a safe space for students to explore diverse perspectives, fostering an environment of empathy and acceptance. Through this proposed ban, we risk shutting down this pedestal of diverse thinking and expansive learning.

The petition to remove these books calls upon TCA, saying: "When evaluating books for our TCA Secondary Library, we call upon TCA staff, administration, and the Board to strictly adhere to TCA’s book selection criteria, which the Board has written to align with TCA’s Core Values and Mission."  However, they do not include what criteria or what parts of our Mission statement are violated. So, let's look at what our Mission statement and Core Values document actually say. 

 

Current TCA Policy on the Removal/Addition of Books to our Library: 

• Every book in the library has gone through careful review by our librarians, administrators, board members, or even by our president. Only books which meet the selection criteria after this careful review process are added to the library. 
• If a book is to be removed, an official request must be made which then results in the creation of a committee who reviews the book. (This step has not been taken by those attempting to remove the books.)  After more careful review by TCA librarians, administrators, the board, and the president, the book is either removed or left in the library. 
• The parents seeking to ban books from our library have attempted to bypass these TCA policies and ignore the set standards of our school. 
• UPDATE: Upon discussion with parents, it has come to our attention that initially, this policy was followed. Official requests were made for 2 books and the process of review is in progress. However, their petition did originally have a letter (which has since been removed) attached which states, “As stewards of our children's education and well-being, it is imperative that we take immediate action to remove these materials from circulation. The process of review, while important, is too lengthy to adequately address the urgent need to protect our students from potentially harmful exposure to inappropriate and explicit material.” So, while we recognize and appreciate that TCA policies were followed by parents, this certainly seems to suggest that they would like to bypass those policies. 

TCA Mission Statement: 

"The Classical Academy exists to assist parents in their mission to develop exemplary citizens equipped with analytical thinking skills, virtuous character, and a passion for learning, all built upon a solid foundation of knowledge." 

• Our mission statement emphasizes the importance of parent involvement in education. 
• Currently, our library follows the guidelines set up by this mission statement regarding the books of concern in our library. In order to check out any of the 140 books which are at risk, students must have a signed form of parental consent. And this standard is strictly followed and upheld in our school. 
• Our core values document also notes that, "We value parents who treat staff as our most important asset by respecting their authority in the school domain, and teaching their children to do the same." 
  • Since, as noted above, no TCA policy is being broken in our libraries, this attack serves only to erode the relationship between TCA parents and the school, damaging the very core of our school's mission. 

Education without censorship is a fundamental right of every student. Let's not allow subjective beliefs to hinder the broadening of our minds. Libraries should serve as forums for information and ideas, and we should resist attempts to restrict them. 

Assert the importance of intellectual freedom and diversity of thought, and reject this repressive proposition. Sign this petition now, affirm that knowledge should be unrestricted, and continue permitting our youth's bright minds to shine. 

If you as a parent, guardian, or grandparent of graduates or students currently enrolled at TCA or as a TCA staff member agree with our goals, please sign below. 

Thank you! Please do not donate money, we appreciate your signature and hope you will share this petition with others. 

 

UPDATE: In the interest of transparency, we have attached the full parent petition as it was originally released. This included the petition, a letter to the board, an overview of mature books in the TCA library, and an article entitled “U.S. Department of Education Ends Biden’s Book Ban Hoax”. These 3 additional materials have since been removed from the parent petition. For those concerned about the contents of our petition, we hope you will take the time to read the attached documents in order to fully understand our perspective, given than our petition was written to respond in full to the original materials presented. Thank you. 

Original Parent Petition