The issue of banning books has increased in popularity across the country. Most recently in Upper Perk several books have been in question for their content and will be involved in a review process with over 20 district administrators to determine if they should be in our schools or not. See Town and Country Article here → https://upvnews.com/news/article.ashx?article=24951 

This petition will go to Dr. Robert Carpenter (High School Principal), Superintendent Dr. Allyn Roche, Dr. Andrea Farina (Assistant Superintendent, in charge of the review process for books), and the Upper Perkiomen School Board who are all listed below.  

The purpose of this petition is to stop the banning of the following books and ensure LGBTQ+ and race related literature is included at UPSD and the surrounding community. The current LGBTQ+ related books in question are; Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin, All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson, and the race related books of The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and Out of Darkness by Asley Perez. 

We encourage you to shop locally at Let’s Play Bookstore in Emmaus if you are interested in purchasing any of the books. Links to these books can be found below:

https://www.letsplaybooks.com/book/9780763673680
https://www.letsplaybooks.com/book/9780374312718
https://www.letsplaybooks.com/book/9780307278449
https://www.letsplaybooks.com/book/9780823445035

In response to racial injustice in the United States, the Upper Perkiomen community came together and raised $5,000 for culturally inclusive books for all schools, private and public, daycares, and libraries in the community in 2020. 

Education is power. Books challenge perception and encourage critical thinking, they inspire generations and foster imagination, creativity, and hope. Having access to a diverse and culturally competent education is vital to the prosperity of our community.

For more information on how to connect community members to resources click here (written by Upper Perk’s Jenna McQue) → https://socialjusticewarrior2021.wordpress.com/resources/

For more information on Supreme Court Cases related to banned books click here →
https://guides.libraries.uc.edu/c.php?g=1084786&p=7908524

Please sign this petition and send an email to the following community members.

Entire Board/Superintendent
UPSDboard@upsd.org
Allyn Roche (Superintendent) 
aroche@upsd.org
Andrea Farina
afarina@upsd.org
Gisele McCabe(Super Admin Ast)
mccabe@upsd.org
Robin Rosenberger (Ast Super Admin Ast)
rrosenberger@upsd.org
Judith S. Maginnis (SB President) 
jmaginnis@upsd.org
Peg. L. Pennepacker (SB Vice President)
ppennepacker@upsd.org
Melanie R. Cunningham
mcunningham@upsd.org
Mike W. Elliot
melliott@upsd.org
Dana E Hipszer
dehipszer@upsd.org
Raenn B. Hofkin
rhofkin@upsd.org
Keith McCarrick
kmccarrick@upsd.org
Emily McCormick
emccmormick@upsd.org
JP Prego
jpprego@upsd.org
Robert Carpenter (Principal)
rcarpenter@upsd.org
Josh Miller (HS Asst. Principal)
jcmiller@upsd.org
Todd Amsler
tamsler@upsd.org
Kathy Stattel (UPSD Librarian)
kstattel@upsd.org