As a retired principal who worked in both elementary and middle school, my paramount concern about educational decision making is whether it creates a safe environment for each and every child. Our children already feel unsafe physically as mass shootings in schools are on the increase. It is paramount that they feel emotionally safe in their school environment.  

From pre-school through high school our children are becoming who they will be as adults. In order for that to occur, each child needs to feel unconditional acceptance in school. There are children with two moms and two dads, there are children who have gay family members they love and there are children who are discovering that they themselves are gay. 

The most intrinsic value that we can instill in our children is one that respects other and the richness of diversity. 

Children are naturally open and accepting of others. Teaching prejudice and rejection of whole groups of people is not the job of the schools.