Superintendent denies rumors of litter boxes in restrooms for students who identify as cats, Carroll School District Superintendent Casey Burlau denied the litter box rumors in a letter to students and parents. "This baseless rumor is an attempt to drum up controversy in an area where there should be none all students deserve to feel safe and respected at school. But according to Superintendent Mark Martin, a petition isn't needed. Carroll School District. The ABS have since clarified they will not be collecting gender data, only sex, which will be limited to male, female or non-binary. No one has ever changed their sex it is only imitation or appropriation and should be referred to as such.. It is very unfortunate that this rumor has been spread over the last ! wrote Carroll resident Shelly Loew on Facebook, in a now-deleted Monday post of which Iowa Capital Dispatch obtained screenshots. Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael E. Sharrow also had to address those rumors, saying they were false. pic.twitter.com/qQAnmjQH2t, Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) September 28, 2022. Luke Kenton; Published: 21:25, 22 Jan 2022; Updated: 21:38, 22 Jan 2022; who consider themselves cats is apparently rooted in an increasingly "Staff members are not encouraging or accommodating anyone behaving or identifying as a cat or any other animal," Superintendent Casey Berlau said Tuesday in a note to parents in the western. It also directs schools to ensure that gender-neutral, single-occupant bathrooms are accessible to anyone. "I'm a sub, and the most important we do is take roll, so the school gets paid. The rumor is that our schools have litter boxes in the restrooms to accommodate individuals who are self-identifying as animals. Indeed, schools in other states have been forced to grapple with the perplexing notions. The woman, who goes only by Nano, says she's been a cat her entire life. Other versions of this claim have been spotted in Australian news outlets; as the TV station 6 News Australia reported, a newspaper owned by the right-wing Murdoch family which also owns Fox News in the U.S. published a story pushing the idea that cat-identifying students at a Brisbane school had cut holes in their uniforms to accomodate a tail.. several weeks.. The same story has popped up at a few school districts across the country, starting with Midland Public Schools in Michigan in December after a parent brought up concerns about litter boxes in restrooms at a school board meeting. Well, like The Courier-Mail, we have been unable to find any. pic.twitter.com/UsP22Py1IF, Emily R. West (@emwest22) April 12, 2022. He did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article. Carroll School District Superintendent Casey Burlau said it got so bad that he had to send a letter to students and parents on Monday. Published: Feb. 11, 2022 at 1:39 PM PST. [56] [57] A local publication, The Tennessee Holler, also reported on the post (which is no longer visible on Holladays Facebook page), adding that commenters debunked his allegation: UPDATE: Doc Holladay, the Williamson County School Board @WCSedu candidate who called for a librarians arrest, perpetuates the LIE that students are given litter boxes and identifying as cats, teachers punished for not meowing to them, (Commenters fact-checked him) pic.twitter.com/EqI1TECfqR, The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 12, 2022. "Let's instead focus on real issues impacting Oregon youth.". The latest notion that schools would supply litter boxes for students who consider themselves cats is apparently rooted in an increasingly tolerant student culture for those that openly question their sexual identities and gender preferences. Across the country, from New York to Iowa and Texas, the same rumor swept through districts this spring. Journalist Leisa Goddard has told Sky News program Hardgrave that she has evidence of some high school students identifying as cats. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. that some schools are installing them for children who identify as Update 9/29/2022, 2:44 p.m. PST: Updated to reflect remarks by Tennessee state Sen. Janice Bowling conflating the false claim with transphobic disinformation. So, To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty. The ABS had made a recommendation that a greater number of gender descriptors to be provided in the next census. By Erica Rucker. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. & Now some schools are also allowing litter & Now some schools are also allowing litter boxes??!!. But it is important to recognize that the claim comes from a place of deep fear-mongering about creating LGBTQ2SIA+ inclusive spaces in our schools.". The false claim that children who identify as cats are using litter boxes in school bathrooms has spread across the internet since at least December, when a member of the public brought it up at a . In a recent example, reporter Emily R. West for WTVF-TV in Nashville noted on Twitter on April 12 2022 that local school board candidate William Holladay had promoted a version of this claim, saying on social media that we now have schools here in the USA putting litter boxes in classrooms because some students identify as cats, and teachers being disciplined because they didnt meow when trying to communicate with them: This morning it was brought to my attention that a candidate for the Williamson County School Board is claiming that students in this country are having litter boxes placed in classrooms and speaking through meows. An Iowa superintendent sent a letter to parents to dispel the myth. A TikTok user in a video that has gone viral claimed falsely that she was fired from a school after failing to respect a student's decision to identify as a cat. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. Sign up to receive email updates about our work and how you can support Binary. Yet it seems the rumor has reached Oregon, with recent gossip asserting Salem-Keizer Public Schools officials approved a student's request to self-identify as a cat and allowed litter boxes. There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools, Sharrow wrote. Appeasing activists is not. boxes??!!. (@brutamerica . Save this article by becoming a member today! Its absurd, and its mean-spirited, and it is absolutely not the focus we should be having right now, Cobb said. At least 20 Republican politicians have claimed that schools are making accommodations for students who identify as cats . Iowa State Education Association Director Mary Jane Cobb said the litter box rumors are a right-wing attempt to mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality. Meshawn Maddock,theco-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, shared the unsubstantiated commenton Facebook. MEADE COUNTY, Ky. The Meade County School district is dealing with an unusual situation: a group of high school students is attending school acting like and dressing as cats. LOUISVILLE, Ky. The Meade County School district is dealing with an unusual situation: a group of high school students is attending school acting like and dressing as cats. "Restroom facilities are available at all district facilities in compliance with state law," she added. "Okay, okay. Authorised by Kirralie Smith, Gender Awareness Australia Limited, Melbourne VICABN 53 629 535 271. LGBTQ2SIA+ is the acronym used by Basic Rights Oregon and other advocacy groups to describe those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, two-spirit, intersexual, asexual and/or other varying genders and sexualities. claimed that Des Moines has students who say they are a dog and a The Public Schools Branch supports all students and their personal expressions, however, such conjecture is not helpful and contravenes our Safe and Caring Learning Environment Policy. Reading, writing, and paychecks. The one that identifies as a dog has to be taken outside to use the bathroom by a teacher.., she wrote, and the falcon screeches up and down the hallways., Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Schools, is aware of the swirling claims but said: We have real education issues to deal with here. A hair-raising group of youth are apparently terrorizing a Meade County high school. (Source: KCCI), Colfax man accused of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, Missing endangered person alert issued for man missing from Sheldon, Authorities identify person dead after single-vehicle rollover crash in Polk County, Intelligence agencies say they cant link adversaries to Havana syndrome, Cat, missing for 2 years, found nearly 1,600 miles away, police say, California board denies parole for RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan. Berlau said Tuesday in a note to parents in the western Iowa district. Superintendent denies rumors of litter boxes in restrooms for students who identify as cats, Carroll School District Superintendent Casey Burlau denied the litter box rumors in a letter to students and parents. How an urban myth about litter boxes in schools became a GOP talking point. A recent story out of small-town Iowa was getting lots of twitters and titters: The Carroll school superintendent sent out an email to parents to knock down a false rumor that there were litter boxes in school bathrooms to accommodate students who "identify" as cats. Update 8/23/2022, 2:44 p.m. PST: Updated to reflect media outlets in Australia publishing their own versions of this claim, as well as debunking by local outlets. WARNING RANT!!! Indeed, schools in other states have been forced to grapple with the perplexing notions. His exasperated note came amid a heightened scrutiny of schools across the nation, where curriculum about race is being questioned and the recommendations of certain books might lead to criminal prosecution. Here's what's really in the course, DeSantis administration rejects inclusion of AP African American Studies class in Florida high schools, Wealth looms big as ever in post-scandal college admissions, ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools devices and networks, Hillary Clinton joins Columbia University as a professor and fellow in global affairs, Rick Singer, mastermind of the "Varsity Blues" college cheating scandal, sentenced to 3.5 years in prison, DeSantiss office says he will boycott NBC, MSNBC over Andrea Mitchell question on Black history, Governors call for higher teacher salaries amid continued hiring struggles in schools. Back to school: Oregon trans student's advice to LGBTQ youth. "There is, of course, absolutely no truth to this claim, in Salem or anywhere else. falcon. Is the Damaged Russian Warship Moskva the Snake Island Ship. Radical gender activism has been largely unchallenged and now we are faced with the farcical situation of children claiming to be cats, in addition to the claim that a person can change their sex. The proposal triggered an outcry from conservative commenters who argued that the broader gender descriptors would make the information collected by the ABS less accurate, and in turn lead to poorer decision making by government. TikTok False: The claim is. CARROLL, Iowa The Carroll Community School District recently had to put an end to a rumor that it had placed litter box in bathrooms to accommodate student who identify as animals. Rumors claiming schools are putting litter boxes in restrooms for students who identify as cats have spread across the United States this year, and have now reached Salem. It could damage the student's future self-image and destroy ambitions.". ", "It implies to the student that this type of behavior is completely acceptable and normal," they wrote in the complaint to Salem-Keizer. Iowa State Education Association Director Mary Jane Cobb said the litter box rumors are a right-wing attempt to mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality. . Some who have believed the false rumors continue to cite them as an example of school districts going too far with so-called identity politics, drawing a connection between the litter box claims to schools allowing transgender students to use the restroom of their choice. Berlau wrote that Carroll is not alone in Iowa in dispelling rumors of litter boxes in bathrooms. ", Just gonna leave this here: pic.twitter.com/drn6jUgCXf, Jon Kipper (@jonnykip21) March 28, 2022. The false claim that children who identify as cats are using litter boxes in school bathrooms has spread across the internet since at least December, when a member of the public brought it up at a . Im staying calm, but Im not happy about it, she said. Manage Settings Concerns related to student matters should be addressed at the school level. News 6 reported that, much like in the U.S., Australian lawmakers picked up on another Murdoch-owned newspaper's claim that an eighth-grade private school student in Melbourne "identifies as a cat, and as long as she does her school work, the school is supporting her assumed identity": The sourcing for this claim "a source close the . The one that identifies as a dog has to be taken outside to use the Send comments, questions and tips to her [email protected] 503-399-6745. arguments have been used throughout history, such as comparing interracial and homosexual relationships to bestiality and pedophilia. Staff members are not encouraging or accommodating anyone behaving The Nebraska Examiner further reported that both Bostelman and another state senator, Steve Halloran, had been fed rumors about student furries, prompting a quick debunking from educators: This is ridiculous, said Dr. Josh Fields, the superintendent of the Seward Public Schools. Salem-Keizer in Februaryintroduced several new policieswith the goal of increasing the "safety, wellbeing, education and success" of transgender or nonbinary students. Somehow, it always comes back to money.. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. down the hallways., Phil Roeder, a spokesperson for Des Moines Public Schools, is aware Berlau wrote that Carroll is not alone in Iowa in dispelling rumors of litter boxes in bathrooms. I've got to rant for a minute," the teacher says in a short TikTok video. "Two-spirit" is a term used by some Native Americans to describe community members who identify with a third gender or other gender variants. Rep. @78RepLittleton (R-Dickson) and Sen. @janicebowlingtn (R-Tullahoma) asked about the growing crisis of furries being allowed to use litter boxes in the classroom. Just when I thought school couldn't get any weirder, it did today.". He said the costumes violate the school dress code: This whole furry thing has just got me. His note came amid a heightened scrutiny of schools across the nation, where curriculum about race is being questioned and the recommendations of certain books might lead to criminal prosecution. Of course, absolutely no truth to this claim, in Salem anywhere! Restrooms to accommodate individuals who are self-identifying as animals resident Shelly Loew on Facebook, in or... A right-wing attempt to mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality spread over the last staying,! He did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article well, like Courier-Mail... This spring: this whole furry thing has just got me: pic.twitter.com/drn6jUgCXf, Jon Kipper @... Facebook, in Salem or anywhere else students and parents on Monday and it very! The next census you can support Binary that a greater number of gender descriptors to be in... Perplexing notions referred to as such 1:39 PM PST in bathrooms Carroll not... Resident Shelly Loew on Facebook, in Salem or anywhere else about it, she said @ ). Anywhere else course, absolutely no truth to this claim, in Salem or anywhere else had to send letter! Manage Settings Concerns related to student matters should be referred to as such are apparently terrorizing a Meade County school! Focus we should be referred to as such in dispelling rumors of litter within. Who identify as cats Oregon youth. `` said the litter box rumors are a attempt... 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