'Safe Space' Stickers Banned by School District Following DeSantis Bill
newsweek.comwhich has been called the "Don't Say Gay" bill. The statement on its website begins by saying that the school district respects a diversity of views and lifestyle choices, but that it must comply with recent legislation.
The district said parents must be notified if there is a change in a student's services and the school's ability to provide a safe, supportive learning environment for that student.The district expressed concern that a student's presence in a "safe space" could trigger a duty of district staff to notify a parent of a potential change in the child's well-being.
The district decided to remove the stickers instead."Due to recent legislation concerning parental rights, our school district will no longer utilize 'safe spaces' and will no longer display 'safe space' stickers," a statement on the school district's website said."The 'safe space' stickers will be removed, as they have become a flashpoint that distracts from our goals of creating a school-wide and districtwide safe environment.
Additionally, staff are not to provide any materials to students that would impact a parent's right to direct the upbringing, moral training, religious training, education and care of their minor children," the statement said.The district said it was difficult to determine whether a student's presence in a "safe space" indicated a student's emotional well-being, so the district opted to discontinue the practice to avoid violating the law.As HB 1557 allows parents to challenge violations in court, the district said it was "in the best interest" to comply with the law.
