To Whom It May Concern,

This petition, supported by the undersigned members of the Slavens School community, is to ask Nathan Feldman to cease his efforts to sue Slavens teachers for $3M.

We are deeply concerned about the recent lawsuit filed by Nathan Feldman against Denver Public Schools regarding the refusal to display a heterosexual pride flag in classrooms. This action, while seemingly rooted in a desire for inclusivity, has instead steered our school community towards division and distraction, significantly impacting our teachers and the overall learning environment.

Our teachers, dedicated to focusing on education, are now in a distressing situation over which they have no control. The district, not the teachers, controls the policy. As parents, we can confidently say that the entire staff, including administrators, operators, and teachers, are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

The current discourse, fueled by this legal action and a desire for financial gain, is creating contention and division, detracting from the sense of community that the Slavens community has enjoyed for years. The lawsuit has sparked debates that extend beyond the scope of healthy educational discourse, leading to polarization within our community and fostering an inaccurate discussion based on misleading and incorrect statements.

We must also consider the unintended consequences of this lawsuit on our students. Schools are not just places for academic learning; they are environments where students learn about respect, empathy, and understanding. The current situation risks overshadowing these critical values.

The 'straight pride' flag, central to this lawsuit, has increasingly become a symbol of exclusion and intolerance. Extremist groups have co-opted it to promote violence against minorities, including people of color, immigrants, and the LGBTQIA community. Variations like "#SuperStraight" and the intertwined gender symbols, advocated by Mr. Feldman, have been linked to the flag. The acronym 'SS', associated with both 'super straight' and Hitler's Schutzstaffel, has led to the incorporation of Nazi imagery in some flag variants.

Education is a collaborative journey involving students, teachers, and parents. Our focus should be on providing a balanced, comprehensive education that prepares our youth for a diverse and inclusive world. This can only be achieved when we work together, respecting each other's viewpoints and avoiding actions that lead to division and distraction.

Conclusion and Call to Action:

While the pursuit of inclusivity and representation is commendable, it is vital to approach these goals in a manner that strengthens our educational system and is in concert with peaceful discourse. We must strive to resolve differences through dialogue and mutual understanding, not through actions that burden our teachers and disrupt the learning process.

We collectively call on the Feldman family to stop this disruptive lawsuit, let the teachers focus on teaching, and find a more productive and less disruptive environment for this discussion.