[aisle] challenge to book and book talk

[Christine Wilson]

Dawn - I am so sorry you are going through this! It's so not fair. I hope
your admin. remains on your side.

That said, I know what it is to feel as though a public attack is personal.
What I've learned is that it rarely is. You were just in the wrong place at
the wrong time, and some small thing in your arena was used to further
someone's agenda. Take a deep breath (or two or three) and step back.
You'll sleep better, and you'll be able to make better choices when you are
calmer.

Easy for me to say, right? But I have a letter in my file claiming I
committed an ethics violation by being forwarded (in a large group)  a
questionable email. It won't go completely away, but you'll be stronger for
it, and some day you'll be able to remember it to stir up some righteous
indignation for a good cause!

We are all behind you! Take care of yourself.

On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 6:30 PM Pam Meiser via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> 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
>>> law. Most written communications (including email) to or from school
>>> district officials and staff are public records available to the public and
>>> media upon request. Your email communications may therefore be subject to
>>> public disclosure. MAERCKER School District 60
>>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> *Christie*
>>
>> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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>
> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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Christine Wilson, MLIS, Media Assistant
Avon Center School
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