[aisle] challenge to book and book talk

[Pam Meiser]

I would wait to speak before the school board until you've made other
contacts and seen if it's going any farther.

On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 6:04 PM Christie C via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Dawn,
> I am so sorry you are going through this. I would definitely contact your
> union, engage the support of supportive teachers, and contact the ALA. The
> social media attack is inappropriate but it doesn't make you look bad, just
> the person who is attacking. It is so unfortunate that here you are doing
> something VERY RIGHT, sharing stories that NEED to be shared, and someone
> is trying to make you feel in the wrong. Please don't let them. You have so
> many supporters, and you've done nothing wrong. In addition, you have the
> law on your side.
> Keep us posted and know we support you!
>
> Sincerely,
> Christie Chandler-Stahl
> Resource Center Director
> Greeley Elementary School
>
> On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 7:45 AM Flaherty, Megan via AISLE <
> aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
>
>> I am so sorry you are going through this. I would definitely reach out to
>> the ALA. As a talking point if you do go to the board meeting or if your
>> principal is not supportive, LGBTQ and transgender students are protected
>> under Title IX so your including them in book talks is entirely acceptable
>> from a public education standpoint. Of course, we all know there are many
>> other reasons to include these books but just as a reminder, public
>> education legally supports ALL students.
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>> Megan
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* AISLE <aisle-bounces at list.railslibraries.info> * On Behalf Of *Leah
>> Gregory via AISLE
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 15, 2022 7:38 AM
>> *To:* AISLE-Share: Association of Illinois School Library Educators
>> discussion list <aisle at list.railslibraries.info>
>> *Cc:* Leah Gregory <lgregory at illinoisheartland.org>
>> *Subject:* Re: [aisle] challenge to book and book talk
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Dawn,
>>
>>
>>
>> It's not too early to talk to ALA. I would also talk to your union and
>> your principal or other building admin so they know what's out there.
>> Parents cannot threaten you for doing your job. The principal can call that
>> parent and inform them they support you 100%. Of course, if your admin
>> won't do that, that's another later to the problem. ALA can help with
>> talking points for all these people.
>>
>>
>>
>> I would speak to your building admin so they know this may come up from a
>> parent to the BOE, so the BOE can be warned in advance. Pull all the
>> reviews for the book that show the positive parts and the age ranges. You
>> are there to represent all your students. You didn't do anything wrong.
>>
>>
>>
>> Leah Gregory
>>
>> School Membership Coordinator
>>
>> Illinois Heartland Library System
>>
>> 618-619-2069
>>
>> lgregory at illinoisheartland.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> *From:* AISLE <aisle-bounces at list.railslibraries.info> on behalf of Dawn
>> Scuderi via AISLE <aisle at list.railslibraries.info>
>> *Sent:* Monday, March 14, 2022 11:25:12 PM
>> *To:* AISLE-Share: Association of Illinois School Library Educators
>> discussion list <aisle at list.railslibraries.info>
>> *Cc:* Dawn Scuderi <scuderi.dawn at gmail.com>
>> *Subject:* [aisle] challenge to book and book talk
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Everyone,
>>
>>
>>
>> So it is 11:00 at night and I can't sleep because over the last week I
>> have 2 emails from angry parents about a very brief book talk I gave of "A
>> High Five for Glenn Burke".
>>
>> I am currently making my way through the Caudills and always tell the
>> kids about current books that I am reading or have just finished.
>>
>>
>>
>> I mentioned the book, gave a very brief synopsis and had almost immediate
>> backlash from one parent who emailed me and my administrator.  They clearly
>> shared their opinion that I had "violated" students by book talking a book
>> that had a questioning character and a gay baseball player.
>>
>>
>>
>> Today I received an email from a second parent threatening to take issue
>> with my Superintendent and School Board if I ever discuss, promote or
>> display books of a racial, political or LGBTQ nature again.  To ANY student.
>>
>>
>>
>> I am in a 7/8 building.
>>
>>
>>
>> We have a mission statement, collection development policy and challenge
>> policy but they are not school board approved.
>>
>>
>>
>> These challenges seem to not just be about the books but about me
>> personally.  This evening I found out that the second parent posted about
>> me on Facebook.
>>
>>
>> We have a board meeting on Wednesday.  Do I go?  Do you guys think this
>> warrants a meeting with my union rep, a call to ALA?  So far my admin has
>> been supportive, but this is just *so much*.
>>
>>
>>
>> Book challenges are one thing, I feel like I can combat that.  But this
>> feels personal.
>>
>>
>>
>> Suggestions?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks for any help,
>> Dawn
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> E-MAIL CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: Illinois has a very broad public records
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>> public disclosure. MAERCKER School District 60
>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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>
>
>
> --
> *Christie*
>
> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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