USSN: In the News

Novato to Test Diversity Material

By Jane Futcher

The Novato school district is set to test six pilot supplemental diversity materials next year, including the hotly debated documentary film "That's a Family."

Assistant Superintendent Jan La Torre-Derby last night reported to the Novato Unified School District Board of Trustees on how the district will implement the diversity pilot plan, starting in January with teacher training and parent previews.

"All opt-out forms are going to be honored," said La Torre-Derby, referring to "Parent Acknowledgement/Parent Exclusion" slips that require students be excused from certain classes if their parents' religious or moral beliefs conflict with the material being taught.

After more than a year of intense community debate, the school board voted in August to test "That's a Family" (Grade 5), "Get Real About Violence"(K-12), "Bully-Proofing" (K-12) "Giraffes and Heroes" (K-12), and "Different and the Same" (K-3). In November, the board added the Anti-Defamation League's "World of Difference" curriculum, an earlier edition of which has been used in some district classrooms for years.

La Torre-Derby's report lists the elementary, middle and high school teachers selected to test the materials as well as the schools and grade levels where they'll be used. Not every program will be tested in every school.

"That's A Family," the half-hour film that includes gay-parented families in its discussion of diverse family units, will be used in all Novato fifth grades as part of a five-day Family Life Unit.

Diversity materials are designed to help make the schools safe and comfortable for children and families of all religious, cultural, ethnic, racial and sexual orientation backgrounds, according to district officials.

The trustees voted 6 to 1 to accept the diversity report, with the caveat that future parent notices include brief descriptions of each diversity material. Trustee Jeff McAlpin dissented.

Contact Jane Futcher via e-mail at jfutcher@marinij.com

Brought to you by The Marin Independent Journal


	Novato to Test Diversity Material By Jane Futcher Marin Independant Journal The Novato school district is set to test six pilot supplemental diversity materials next year, including the hotly debated documentary film "That's a Family." Assistant Superintendent Jan La Torre-Derby last night reported to the Novato Unified School District Board of Trustees on how the district will implement the diversity pilot plan, starting in January with teacher training and parent previews. "All opt-out forms are going to be honored," said La Torre-Derby, referring to "Parent Acknowledgement/Parent Exclusion" slips that require students be excused from certain classes if their parents' religious or moral beliefs conflict with the material being taught. After more than a year of intense community debate, the school board voted in August to test "That's a Family" (Grade 5), "Get Real About Violence"(K-12), "Bully-Proofing" (K-12) "Giraffes and Heroes" (K-12), and "Different and the Same" (K-3). In November, the board added the Anti-Defamation League's "World of Difference" curriculum, an earlier edition of which has been used in some district classrooms for years. La Torre-Derby's report lists the elementary, middle and high school teachers selected to test the materials as well as the schools and grade levels where they'll be used. Not every program will be tested in every school. "That's A Family," the half-hour film that includes gay-parented families in its discussion of diverse family units, will be used in all Novato fifth grades as part of a five-day Family Life Unit. Diversity materials are designed to help make the schools safe and comfortable for children and families of all religious, cultural, ethnic, racial and sexual orientation backgrounds, according to district officials. The trustees voted 6 to 1 to accept the diversity report, with the caveat that future parent notices include brief descriptions of each diversity material. Trustee Jeff McAlpin dissented. Contact Jane Futcher via e-mail at jfutcher@marinij.com Brought to you by The Marin Independent Journal
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