Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaii schools have turned to distance learning programs in order to provide parents options for their keiki to continue schooling. The Acellus Learning Accelerator distance learning program has been selected by a Sunset Beach Elementary School, and promoted by the DOE as a legitimate option for parents. Unfortunately, there are a number of egregious problems with the Acellus program, including racist content, age-inappropriate content, it's NOT accredited by WASC, questionable credentialing of the founder, Roger Billings, and Acellus teachers, his succession to the founder of a FLDS polygamist cult in the 80's, among a myriad of other issues which are supported in references below. There has also been an accusation that Roger Billings molested a child who was in this fundamentalist cult, and you will find that information recorded in testimony to the BOE (linked below). But watch the videos- they speak for themselves.

We ask the Administrators and teachers of Sunset Beach Elementary School to remove this program from Hawaii public education, based on the hard evidence provided below and testimony after testimony from concerned citizens, including many current and former educators. Parents should be provided a well-vetted and legitimate option for distance learning, or we ask that the teachers lead in more distance learning teaching. Many parents were forced to make a choice of use the Acellus learning option or withdraw their kids from school. 

Thank you to the brave investigative journalists, concerned educators and parents who actually watched these videos themselves, many alongside their children, who were horrified at the content of these "educational" videos. Please see the links below and research for yourself, making your own informed decision about whether you find this content educational and appropriate for Hawaii's keiki. If you are equally concerned, horrified or shocked, please sign. 

We ask Sunset Beach Elementary to give our keiki a quality, well-vetted distance learning platform and for our great teachers to give keiki instruction over using Acellus.

Link to written testimony from educators, parents and concerned citizens opposing Acellus in Hawaii public schools (control+F "acellus"): 

http://boe.hawaii.gov/Meetings/Notices/Meeting%20Material%20Library/Testimony%2020200820%20GBM.pdf 

Parent Submission - Letter G- Its a Gun

"Harriet Tubman" Submission

"Plantation" Submission

"Inaccurate Hawaiian History" Submission

Physical Fitness Intro lesson

Parent submission of "Sweetie Lips" lesson 

Fire Angel/ Acellus Intro to PE video

Parent Submission "Woman Hater" 

Parent Submission "Towelban" 

Parent Submission "Running from Sirens" 

More Links:

Cloud of Controvery Follows "Dr Hydrogen"

Testimony from former cult member Aaron Billings

https://www.thepitchkc.com/dr-hydrogen/

http://www.deseret.com/2004/1/3/19804670/publicity-follows-billings-brother

Fire Angel's sample lesson: https://www.acellus.com/student-blog/?p=879

https://www.pajet.com/ (This is the "teacher" of PE and Social emotional learning; scroll down- view the video at the bottom of the page- this was the introduction to PE for my kindergartner and third grader.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksHwhdyeE04

 

Footage submitted by a Hawaii Parent

Edited to add credits*

Photo Credit: Adrienne Robillard
Video Credit(s): Jacquelyn Otto (parent submission)
Research Credit: Those who submitted testimony to the BOE, both orally and written, Heather Moselle and Kelsey Dostie. 

Mahalo for taking the time to read and make an informed choice on signing this petition.