Featured Image Credit: CBS/Kenishirotie/Alamy Stock Photo
Topics: US News
Jess Hardiman
The parents of a second-grader in America have spoken out about a homework task they felt was ‘not appropriate’ for children, claiming their daughter has now also been withdrawn by the school following the backlash.
Misty and Christopher Dunham were shocked when they saw what their eight-year-old had been asked to do as part of a homework task.
Second-grade students at Victory Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, were given a list of challenges to complete, including practicing ‘Psalm 24: 1-2 with an adult’ three times, reading ‘Fun with Friends pg. 112-113', and working on spelling, arithmetic and phonics for tests.
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However, there was one instruction that ‘didn’t sit right’ with the Dunhams, as their daughter Mackenzie was asked: “Send a picture of you doing reading homework in the bathtub.”
Speaking to Action News Jax, Misty said: “I emailed the teacher ‘Hey, you may want to explain that. Send something out to the parents. Let them know what the intentions are.’ This just does not sound OK.
“She did send out a message saying, ‘you should be in pajamas, be in your uniform, have fun with it.’ But, it didn’t sit right.”
The mother contacted the school administration and, later, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to express her concerns.
She said she then received a call from a staff member at the school, recalling: “[He said] ‘I think you guys should do a parental withdrawal for the child.’ I said, ‘I can’t. I can’t do that. We refuse to withdraw her.’
“He said, ‘OK thank you for saying that,’ and continued on saying that, ‘Well, we’re going to proceed with an administration withdraw.’”
According to Action News Jax, documentation from the school shows the Dunhams’ daughter is no longer a student enrolled there, with Misty saying they were offered ‘no explanation’.
Dad Christopher added: “She did something right by telling mom and dad that she wasn’t comfortable with something, and now she’s no longer in school."
Pastor Jesse Latta, President of Victory Christian Academy, told the outlet in a statement: “There was an assignment given, as I understand you have received a copy. It was taken out of an online teacher resource and has been used in many schools.
“There were certainly no bad intentions with this assignment. When a parent contacted our teacher with a complaint, our teacher immediately sent out correspondence to all parents in the class to assure them that there were no bad intentions with this assignment and to clarify the guidelines. No additional concerns were presented to the teacher. While the assignment was completely innocent, out of an abundance of caution and for there to be no misunderstandings, our administration has removed this particular assignment for any future use.
“We value our children and their safety is our top priority. We will continue to serve the children and families in which the Lord has graciously allowed us to have a part in their lives.”
Action News Jax said the school was asked about the status of the student, and why there was an ‘administrative withdraw’, but that it had ‘not heard back’.
UNILAD has reached out to Victory Christian Academy for comment.
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