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Dear Editor:
CRT, SEL and DEI, oh my!
These acronyms are receiving the most attention this election season but are not the critical issue that parents and community members must focus on.
The critical issue is academics.
Strong academics in Carmel Clay Schools will continue to drive up property values and ensure that CCS children are prepared to be responsible, well informed, and civic minded citizens in adulthood.
Carmel children must have an honest and fair understanding of how our nation’s history has unfolded without being told what to think. We must encourage this in Carmel Clay Schools with a curriculum rich in age-appropriate and accurate history lessons. A historically accurate curriculum will help our K-12 students become the critical thinkers we need to make America a more prosperous country. Simply put, children should be taught how to think, not what to think.
History and social studies must be studied honestly and accurately, but students must not be divided by the color of their skin under any circumstances. We must all be accountable for our actions as individuals, correct wrongs we are personally responsible for, and work together united rather than divided for the good of our community.
Please ignore the acronyms and focus on academics. It’s what’s best for our children and our community.
Stephanie Flittner
Candidate for Carmel Clay School Board
stephanieflittner.com
You have my vote. Putting a personal spin on teaching is not the direction I want my children’s education to go. Teach the facts let them decipher the meaning.
Friends – hear me out on this topic.
These are more than just acronyms. Last year, the City of Carmel ended a contract with a DEI consultant after discovering some disturbing posts on their social media posts. Some DEI consultants believe that White people and American society are inherently racist. We should push back vociferously against anyone who attempts to divide us and do anything except unite us under national symbols.
Furthermore, this year, the City of Carmel fired their equity manager so that they could focus on developing their in-house training.
I am happy that our city leaders didn’t take the approach of ignoring these issues. We need leaders like Mayor Jim Brainard who can create an Advisory Commission on Human Relations. He should receive a DEI award for his work.
Our declaration of independence talks about our unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We should teach our children that “liberty” means that they are free and sovereign to work hard in school to live a happy, purposeful driven life. Unfortunately, some of these consultants are reinforcing victimhood instead of self-actualization.
As a candidate for the Carmel Clay Schools board of trustees, voters can trust that I will work with our superintendent to set goals to ensure our schools remain united. Our U.S. flag, Pledge of Allegiance, National Motto, and National Anthem unite! We must teach our children that there is nothing they can’t do when we are united under the flag of the red, white, and blue.
As an immigrant, I still remember being inspired by saying the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the school day. Let’s pay attention to these issues and make sure we do these things in the right way!
People can learn more about my campaign by visiting my website at http://www.sheldonbarnes.com
Respectfully,
Sheldon Barnes
As soon as you praised the mayor you lost my vote.
In addition the Superintendent is bad news. Find out what they thought of him.