Dr. Kriznar explains why birthday parties and so much more are now on the chopping block.

 I am kind of grosseed out at her explanation so I am not going to comment now, but I wanted anyone interested to see it.

This is her responce after I wrote a letter expressing my outrage at the recent policy changes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: When do we require permission slips for events and activities?

Answer: Participation in ALL school-sponsored events and activities will require, at minimum, the district approved permission slip signed by the parent/guardian before students can participate. This includes, but is not limited to, field trips, athletics, extended day, tutoring, book fairs, classroom parties, etc. Until additional guidance is received from the State, the district interprets school-sponsored events and activities broadly. Required instruction or required curriculum activities, generally, should not require permission slips. If you have any questions, please contact Policy and Compliance. Each event or activity will require a permission slip. However, an event or activity with multiple dates can be included on one permission slip if all required details are the same and all scheduled dates are included.

Ex: Monthly classroom pizza parties held as a behavior incentive can be included on the same permission slip, if all future dates are included.

Question: May schools use other permission slips for events, activities, or programs?

Answer: The district approved permission slip is required. However, schools may attach supplemental documents to the district approved permission slips. This may include, but is not limited to, additional details, consent forms, etc. Note: Some events or activities may require additional parental consent. (Ex: Extended day, district athletics, etc.)

 Question: Can students participate if they do not have a permission slip for the event or activity?

Answer: The student will not be able to participate until a permission slip is signed by the parent/guardian. There are no exceptions to this requirement, which is mandated by State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.089, F.A.C.

 We thank you again for the opportunity to respond to your concerns.  Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.

 

  

First, DCPS gets rid of books, and now they are getting rid of, wait for it, birthday parties.

Read that again and let it digest for a second. The same rules and laws that made DCPS in its infinite wisdom (sic) get rid of classroom libraries and books, are now having the district put the kybosh on birthday parties and so much more.

I know what some of you are thinking, but the state, Chris, the state. Yes, the state sucks, yes, the state is trying to harm public education and DeSantis can have all the press conferences he wants but we know the truth. My reply to you is why doesn’t the district fight back, like this and so many other things, why don’t they at least say, we don’t agree with it, we don’t like it, but the state is making us do it. We can’t even get that, which tells me their silence is complicity.

Now, when I heard birthday parties, in-school concerts, and the spelling bee, etc. etc. etc. made the list of prohibited activities, I asked thinking, maybe it's like a game of telephone where what the school board tells the administration changes slightly from what they tell the principal and then what they tell teachers. Surely, birthday parties, holiday dances, and concerts are exempt from an extra layer of bureaucracy.

Yes and no.

I can have a birthday party, but I must get permission slips from my student's parents and guardians. This unequivocally means birthday parties are going to come to an end. Some teachers will be thinking ugh, another thing to do, I don’t have the bandwidth or energy to deal with it. Then what's going to happen to little Suzie and Johnny, whose parents forgot to sign the permission slips or just forgot to bring them back? Emails and phone calls, something teachers used to be able to do, aren’t acceptable anymore. Sorry, kids, you have to go to that class without cupcakes for thirty minutes while we rock it out for a few minutes in between test prep. Yet another reason why some teachers won’t bother.

If the district doesn’t think this is too far, then nothing will ever be too far. If the district can’t raise its hand and say, hey, maybe birthday parties should be okay, then nothing will ever be okay.

First, they came for veteran teachers, and I was silent.

Next, they came for LGBTQ students, and I was silent as well.

Then they came for books, which were ripped off shelves, and I was still silent.

Now they have come for birthday parties.

What will they come for next?

The state sucks, but so do school boards that silently go along.