In response to intense community backlash, a Michigan school district has decided to cancel its planned mini-lesson on gender identity and pronouns for an elementary classroom. Dewitt Public Schools Superintendent Shanna Spickard made the announcement on Friday, citing concerns over the safety and well-being of school staff members.

According to Spickard, school district staff received a barrage of inappropriate, angry, and threatening phone calls, emails, and social media messages following the initial announcement about the mini-lesson. Additionally, some staff members had their personal information publicly posted online, leading to feelings of anxiety and fear among them.

Expressing her discontent with these events, Spickard emphasized, "While the majority of these inappropriate communications originated outside of our community, several staff members have expressed feeling anxious, stressed, and even afraid to go to school. This is unacceptable."

In response to the situation, the district is taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its staff members and students. Local law enforcement has been contacted, and an increased police and administrative presence has been deployed on school grounds.

The purpose of the voluntary mini-lesson was to create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment for all students. However, it has now become a major disruption and distraction from this vision of the school, causing staff members, administrators, and students to feel unsafe.

Prior to the cancellation, the district had reminded community members that the gender identity and pronoun lesson was voluntary and would only be offered to one first-grade classroom. The district clarified that the aim of the mini-lesson was not to challenge or alter family beliefs but to promote a respectful learning environment where every student feels valued.

The announcement of the cancellation elicited mixed reactions from the community. One parent, Brandi Strahan, voiced her opposition, stating, "They don't need to learn about anything that's personal or sexualized or gender-specific at 5 years old." On the other hand, a former DeWitt school parent expressed support for the inclusion of such lessons, saying, "Even if people don't understand it, it's all about inclusion and making every kid feel safe and welcome."

Spickard made it clear that the decision to cancel the mini-lesson was not taken lightly and acknowledged that it would both please and disappoint members of the school community. The district remains committed to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, while also addressing the concerns raised by community members.

As the situation unfolds, Dewitt Public Schools will continue to work towards finding ways to promote inclusivity and support the well-being of its students and staff.