Dear Las Cruces area parents,
Many parents are unaware of some important issues and policies affecting students in Las Cruces schools including:
- New state laws that allow children of any age to access abortion and transgender healthcare without parental consent or notification (Reference: HB7 Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care)
o These laws also impose fines of $5,000 on school nurses or teachers who do not facilitate access to this healthcare
- Transgender affirmation in Las Cruces schools (Reference: LCPS Regulation JBD – Gender Inclusive Schools)
o Biologically-male transgender students are allowed to use girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms
o Transgender students are allowed to participate in sports in their chosen gender identity, thereby potentially displacing girls by requiring them to compete with biological boys who are naturally stronger and faster
o “Comfort closets” at several schools are being used by students to change their gender appearance at school
- Age-inappropriate sexually explicit books in school libraries
o Adult “erotic romance” books are listed in LCPS middle and high school library catalogs
o Such books contain graphic descriptions of sex acts, anal sex, and bondage, including illegal sex acts between adults and minors
o Three examples are Jack of Hearts and Other Parts book in Mayfield High School library. Push book at Organ Mountain High School, and Court of Silver Flames book listed in Sierra Middle School and 3 high school libraries
We have a working group of concerned citizens and parents who are working to increase parent awareness of these issues and push for improvements in LCPS policies.
Three questions for you:
1. Would you be interested in attending a parents’ forum where you can learn more about these issues in LCPS? If so, which of the following are best for availability?
- Weekday evening or Saturday afternoon
- Current semester, summer, or next semester
2. Do you want to receive updates about these issues?
3. Are you potentially interested in getting involved in these efforts?
Thanks for your time. Feel free to share this with other parents who may be interested. Please let me know if you want to be removed from this email list.
Sincerely,
Sarah Smith
Las Cruces, NM
