A proposed optional lesson on novel gender pronouns, including “tree” and “ze,” intended for first graders in a Michigan school district has been canceled amid security concerns.
DeWitt Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Spickard announced the cancellation in a message to the district’s families and staff on April 19. The lesson, which was designed to be voluntary, aimed to support the district’s vision of fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
The initiative, initially planned to take place at Schavey Road Elementary School in DeWitt, Michigan, was intended to help students engage in discussions and explore various pronouns through literature, with the goal of embracing differences and promoting acceptance.
However, following the announcement of the lesson, Spickard reported that staff members had received a barrage of inappropriate, angry, and threatening communications via phone calls, emails, and social media. Concerns over staff and student safety prompted the cancellation of the lesson.
Spickard emphasized that the majority of these communications originated from outside the community, but several staff members expressed feeling anxious and stressed, prompting increased police and administrative presence as a precautionary measure.
When approached for further comment, Spickard declined to provide additional information. Meanwhile, Republican House candidate Tom Barrett, representing Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, which encompasses the school, expressed relief at the cancellation of the lesson, citing concerns over age-appropriateness and the need to protect children from potentially inappropriate content.
The proposed lesson was set to feature the book “They She He Me: Free to Be!” by Maya Gonzalez, which introduces children to nonbinary gender terminology and encourages them to explore alternative pronouns. However, critics raised objections to the content, arguing that it was not suitable for first graders.
