Warwick Parents for Common Sense is Misinformed

Editor,

  Based on Warwick Common Sense’s ad in last week’s Warwick Advertiser, it appears that this group is misinformed and/or fearful about the Warwick Valley Central School District (WVCSD) following the NY State Education Department’s framework for Culturally Responsive-Sustaining (CR-S) education.      

  CR-S education is “grounded in a cultural view of learning and human development in which multiple expressions of diversity are recognized and regarded as assets for teaching and learning (nysed.gov).”  We are baffled as to why any effort by the school district to develop and implement policies that educate all students effectively and equitably would be threatening.

  Warwick Parents for Common Sense, rather than entering into dialogue with members of the administration and other parents in favor of CR-S, instead decided to present an advertisement that is mostly fact-free, filled with accusations and the use of divisive language. 

  Wouldn’t we all be better served if Mr. Luftig’s group were interested in working with our school leaders and parents? That way, we could all move from division and the distortion of the truth to understanding and unity of purpose. This choice would benefit the well-being of all Warwick families and serve to strengthen our Warwick community.

  Yet, we have this group referring to other parents whom they most likely have never met, as a “woke mob.” The word mob is defined as “a large crowd of people, especially one that is disorderly and intent on causing trouble or violence.”  

The ad’s reference to a ‘woke mob’ more closely describes the participants in the Jan. 6 insurrection attempt at our nation’s capital. A mob can result from misinformation which in turn can create division and anger. Is this a path forward for our community?  

  Is it the letter writers’ intent to provide solutions?  Or, is its intent to sow further polarization, confusion, bigotry, and misinformation?  Can Warwick come together in a conversation that is based on a respect for truth and for each other?  

 ROZ & BRIAN GITT