Read "I Am Jazz"

The Mount Horeb School District Board of Education approved policy to ensure no discrimination and inclusion for transgender students. This also was to mean that the book "I Am Jazz" would be allowed to be read to students in order to specifically help them understand the transition of a 6 year old girl in the PC. The school has made the decision not to read the book, and instead read a book titled "Red: A Crayon's Story". This book is more generalized in talking about accepting differences. We feel that this is not explicit enough in specifically describing to students why this child is a girl - when they had previously known her as a boy.

At the January 4th school board meeting, revisions to Policy 871 were approved.  This policy states:

MOUNT HOREB AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

HANDLING COMPLAINTS ABOUT INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

POLICY #871

The Board recognizes that differences of opinion exist in a democracy, therefore, realizes that the suitability of particular instructional materials used in the schools may be questioned from time to time.

1. When citizens have concerns about particular instructional materials, these concerns should first be presented to the building principal.

2. If the concern is not resolved with the building principal, he/she may contact the Director of Instruction, in accordance with established procedures.

3. If a citizen is not satisfied with the administrative decision regarding the instructional materials in question, he/she may submit the concern to the Board for consideration.

The school district shall not discriminate in the selection and evaluation of instructional and library materials on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, color, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, transgender status (including gender expression, gender identity, or gender nonconformity), or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.

The school needs to read this book to help children understand that they have a school mate that is indeed transgender, and what that means.  Sign this petition to tell the Mount Horeb School District to read I AM Jazz!!