Trevor Babcock
Discussions of race, gender and sexuality in one Iowa public school district are raising questions about what content schools should be responsible for teaching their students.
In February, as a part of Black History Month, Ames Community School District engaged in “Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action.”
The district described the program as time set aside to affirm all Black identities by centering Black voices and to teach about Black experiences beyond slavery.
The lessons also included education affirming LGBTQ identities. The programming was not officially affiliated with any Black Lives Matter organization and parents were able to opt their children out of the education.
tbabcock@timesrepublican.com
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Students and teachers back in school after hybrid learning ends, returning to a fully in-person learning option.
The halls of the Marshalltown Community School District middle schools and high schools are full once again, with students nearly two weeks into their return to the total in-person learning option.
“I just smiled when I walked into the band room and the whole band was playing music together again,” Marshalltown High School Principal Jacque Wyant said. “I literally had goosebumps.”
She said there was some fear from teachers regarding in-person learning, but all teachers who want the COVID-19 vaccine have received their first dose.
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lbradstream@timesrepublican.com
T-R photo by Lana Bradstream
Marshalltown Community School Board President Bea Niblock breaks from her leader position to second the return-to-learn recommendation made by Superintendent Theron Schutte.
The Marshalltown Community School Board, during the regular Monday meeting, approved the recommendation of Superintendent Theron Schutte and Director of Instruction Lisa Stevenson to continue the hybrid return-to-learn model during the third quarter.
However, board members Mike Miller and Sara Faltys voted in opposition.
“I voted last time ‘no, ” Miller said. “I thought this all a decision about trade off between risk and reward. I’m going to vote ‘no’ this time for the same reasons.”
lbradstream@timesrepublican.com
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Students at Lenihan Intermediate School have spent this year with masks and desk shields. Even though grades have fallen, the students are happy to be in the classroom.
Marshalltown Community School District officials know COVID-19 is primarily spreading in the community, so having students in classrooms is not only safe for their health but important for their academic growth.
While the academics might be struggling, the health of the students and their happiness has been stable. Students have already experienced the first two-week remote learning period before the Thanksgiving break in November. They returned to their classrooms on Dec. 1.