[Lincolnparkdc] [The Washington Post] D.C. third-graders were made to reenact episodes from the Holocaust

[JE Writer Editor]

 Any school teacher, librarian, or aide is fully aware that there is a curriculum and their work supports specific educational goals. This includes how to responsibly teach history and social studies, how to discuss sensitive topics, and the age to introduce the subject matter to the student. In addition, educators and librarians have access to many resources (museums, archives, libraries, universities, and other institutions) to help them discuss subjects with their peers, teach responsibly, and use documentation to support their conclusions. 
Further, any teacher, librarian, or aide should be aware that suicide among children has soared during the pandemic. After injury, suicide is the most frequent cause of death for ages 10-34. When suicide is discussed with children, the topic needs to be handled with great care.
The school is conducting an investigation and more information may be forthcoming. After reading the Washington Post article, it's baffling why the individual in question is working with children or in the fields of information services or education. In the meantime, the school needs to respond to the situation before the school holiday begins and not let it fester during the break.
    On Monday, December 20, 2021, 05:01:50 PM EST, John Hirschmann <hirschj154 at gmail.com> wrote:  
 
 Steve
My condolences for your loss at the “Tree of Life.”
I can’t agree with your statement that your sure the librarian who did this had good intentions. If so why was she also shouting clearly inappropriate language “hate speech” and even more significantly telling the students to not tell anybody what had happened. Why would you want to keep well intentioned activities secret?
I also haven’t heard what they are reading that they were presumably trying to reenact. DCPS Leadership has said it was not part of any approved curriculum.  
This is clearly way way off the charts.  CNN is covering it as national news and has featured both this AM and now.
John

John F Hirschmann hirschj154 at gmail.comSent from my iPad

On Dec 20, 2021, at 14:39, Holtzman, Steve (SMD 6B05) <6B05 at anc.dc.gov> wrote:




Michael,

   I saw this news this morning and it deeply disturbed me. I understand (but don't accept) how atrocity blurs into History for some. I lost a close family member at the Tree of Life so these wounds remain fresh.

I'm sure whoever initiated this exercise at Watkins had good intentions and was trying to do something productive. Frankly I don't know many of the details yet. But some lines don't get crossed.And, I know enough details to know that this crossed one.

    Steve
    
Steve Holtzman
ANC 6b05From: Michael Singer <michael.l.singer1 at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2021 1:38:58 PM
To: Hill Havurah <info at hillhavurah.org>; Charles Allen <Charles at charlesallenward6.com>; Allen, Charles (COUNCIL) <CAllen at DCCOUNCIL.US>; Holtzman, Steve (SMD 6B05) <6B05 at anc.dc.gov>; Harvey Yurow <lincolnparkdc at lincolnparkdc.info>; Kirsten ANC6B04 <kirsten6b04 at anc6b.org>
Subject: [The Washington Post] D.C. third-graders were made to reenact episodes from the Holocaust 
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Dear Hill Friends, I hope the HillHavurah, my neighbors, and our local government leaders issue public statements on this atrocious anti-Semitic behavior at Watkins Elementary School. It is unacceptable and dangerous Michael Singer116 12th St SE 
D.C. third-graders were made to reenact episodes from the Holocaust

A school staffer member made students pretend to kill each other in mass graves during library class.

By Nicole Asbury




https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/12/19/holocaust-reenactment-watkins-school-dc/




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