Delay SEL implementation; time needed to review SEL material at our elementary schools

The Warren County School Board is considering implementing the latest version of the highly controversial, unproven Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) “Second Step” in local public schools.

The school board unanimously voted on Jan. 5, 2022, not to approve any SEL material until parents have reviewed the program and approved it. Now three very short, hour-long open houses — quickly organized last week — have been scheduled at the following schools Wednesday, Jan. 26th, to get parental support for dubious SEL:

• Warren County Middle School, 522 Heritage Drive, Front Royal — 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Ressie Jeffries Elementary School, 320 Criser Road, Front Royal —6 p.m.-7 p.m.
• E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School, 40 Crescent Street, Front Royal — 6 p.m.-7 p.m,

Parents and taxpayers are strongly encouraged to attend one of these meetings and tell public school administrators to:

• Delay SEL implementation until parents and taxpayers have the same access to SEL material as teachers, administrators, and the school board, It is vital that that parents and taxpayers be provided with “log-in-codes” and “passwords so they can review the material online— at their leisure.
• Host a true public hearing on SEL at the Government Center so all aspects of this controversial program can be fully vetted.

Google Sam Crowley, a beloved, highly respected music teacher in Utah, resigned from public school teaching rather than “teach content to children that I believe is harmful.” His story can be found here.

The school board should not approve SEL at any local school at this time.

JOHN LUNDBERG
U.S. Army Colonel (retired)
Front Royal resident