Mom: Child Kicked Out Of Preschool After Concerns Over Gender Identity Book
DENVER (CBS4)- A woman says her 4-year-old daughter was kicked out of Montview Preschool after she raised concerns about books involving same sex marriage and gender identity that were read aloud in class.
R. Sinclair said her concerns were not with the subject of those books but timing. She said had she known about the lesson ahead of time she would have been better prepared for her daughter's reaction to one of those books.
"Worm Loves Worm" and "Tango Makes Three" were both read aloud in class. The books address subjects like gender identity and same sex marriage.
Tango Makes Three is about two male penguins trying to start a family.
"I pick up my daughter, she's 4½ years old, she's very agitated... 'Where is daddy? Where is daddy?' she asked," said Sinclair.
One of the penguins in that book shared the same name as the girl's father.
"Of course she took it literally and she was in a panic that he's leaving us because he doesn't like girls anymore," said Sinclair.
Sinclair approached the school administrators with concerns that the books were not age appropriate and upset she wasn't informed ahead of time that the books were going to be read.
"I did not handle it well because I had no concept, I had no idea what she was talking about," said Sinclair.
Sinclair said she was told it was part of the preschool's anti-bias curriculum. When Sinclair asked if she could opt out, she said she was told that was not possible.
Less than two days later Sinclair said she was handed a letter that terminated her contract with the preschool.
"Thirty-six hours later with a claim of anti-bias and inclusiveness we, the most diverse family in that class, were completely cut off," said Sinclair.
The school did not respond to a request for comment from CBS4 but did send a letter to parents. The letter states, in part, "The early childhood years are a perfect time to introduce children to both the differences and similarities among members of the community."
"While the topics are sometimes uncomfortable to talk about, we believe at Montview that it is part of our mission and responsibility to teach tolerance and to celebrate our differences."
Sinclair said her only concern is with her daughter, "Next week is going to be graduation and she is not going to be part of that."
Karen Morfitt Joined the CBS4 team as a reporter in 2013. She covers a variety of stories in and around metro Denver. Connect with her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter @karenmorfitt or email her tips.
