A Miami elementary school parent is outraged about a permission slip his daughter’s school sent seeking his sign-off on a book listening event featuring a Black author — something the school is now clarifying by blaming FL state law.
Chuck Walters — who has a kid at the Coral Way K-8 Bilingual Center — posted a photo of the school form referring to the school-related activity going down Tuesday where a book would be read aloud to students.
The document describes the nature and activity of the event — “Students will participate & listen to a book written by an African American.” It goes on to note the types of guests for this activity would include a fireman, doctor and artist.
If that language sounds problematic to you, Chuck definitely felt the same way. He wrote on X … “I had to give permission for this or else my child would not participate???” He tagged the superintendent of Miami-Dade Schools and included the hashtag #BlackHistoryMonth.
During National Black History Month, we honor the rich legacy, contributions, and achievements of African Americans.
Let’s continue fostering a culture of unity, as together, we all build a brighter future. #BlackHistoryMonth #YourBestChoiceMDCPS pic.twitter.com/XEhe9ZUzkW
— Jose L. Dotres, Ed.D. (@SuptDotres) February 1, 2024
@SuptDotres
We contacted Miami-Dade County Public Schools — which oversees Coral Way K-8 — and they told TMZ … “We realize that the description of the event may have caused confusion, and we are working with our schools to reemphasize the importance of clarity for parents in describing activities/events that would require parental permission.”
MDCPS adds, “However, in compliance with State Law, permission slips were sent home because guest speakers would participate during a school-authorized education-related activity.”
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2/7/24
School Board of Miami Dade
Now, on the question of whether this activity where an “African American” would be reading a book to kids was tied to Black History Month — the answer is yes. Concerns over these permission slips relating to BHM have recently been raised by other parents and educators.
In fact, last week … a school board member said he didn’t understand why permission slips to basically sign off on Black History Month lessons needed to be sent out to parents in the first place — but he was told this is something FL legislators and Gov. Ron DeSantis passed as law back in November.
As a result, anything outside the immediate curriculum needs parental permission.
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TMZ Studios
Some have expressed outrage over this nonetheless, and have suggested Gov. DeSantis’ railing against CRT in public schools might be to blame.
BTW … Walters tells us he signed this form for his daughter and submitted it to the school.