The freedom of expression is a fundamental human right written within the United States Constitution. Within this fundamental human right, individuals are allowed to express their thoughts and ideas freely without fear of censorship or retaliation. Another key aspect of freedom of expression is known as “symbolic speech”—a recognized nonverbal form of expression demonstrated through activities such as music and art.
Imagine you are a child who enjoys the art of expression through music. You play the saxophone with a deep dedication and passion to the art of playing in band. You perform in various areas of this art—jazz band, pep band, solo and ensemble, ILMEA, and more. Suddenly, due to ongoing medical concerns and unique circumstances, you have to make changes and proceed with a homeschool-based option. The district in which you served as a dedicated band member now tells you that you are not allowed access to continue to pursue this activity. How would you feel?
This is the reality for one student in the Paris, Illinois, Union School District 95.
“As a life long Paris Tiger, I am really appalled by what District 95 has become. It’s a shame to think that we would be forced to have to move our children out of this great community because the school district that we have given so much to doesn’t have the best interested of our children in mind.
My son, a bright and passionate student, had to transition to a private school due to pressing health concerns. Despite the shift, he found solace and excitement in participating in the band through our local District 95. However, our district is now attempting to deny him and other home or privately schooled students the opportunity to engage in co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
This restriction is not only limiting but also unfair to students, who depend on these activities for social development, skill enhancement, and emotional well-being. In today’s educational landscape, co-curricular and extracurricular activities are not just supplementary; they are essential for a well-rounded education. Excluding students based on their schooling choice undercuts their growth and deprives them of valuable experiences.
District 95 serves as the heartbeat of the community in Paris, Illinois. It should be a place where every child’s educational needs are nurtured, regardless of the school in which their parents choose due to unique circumstances. Offering equal access to district activities would foster a more inclusive community, ensuring that all students feel supported and valued.
Legally, many districts across the nation offer such opportunities to home-private schooled students. Why should District 95 be any different? According to the 2018 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 4% of the student population in the U.S. is homeschooled. They deserve equal opportunities to mingle, learn, and compete alongside their peers.
By allowing participation, our district would not only adhere to a broader acceptance trend but also enhance its reputation as a supportive and inclusive community cornerstone.”
The mother of said student has been advocating and taking the school board head-on about this situation—only to be shut down by the district, including the Superintendent herself.
Why would District 95 not have the best interest of their students in mind?
“We were told that we could attend a ‘closed’ school board meeting, which doesn’t even make any sense, because don’t all school board meetings allow the public to attend? This is a policy issue that directly affects my son—not the other way around. This is not about an individual, rather a policy that is unfair and frankly absurd.
Not to mention that when we approached the superintendent, she claimed that it was a numbers thing—that he wouldn’t be allowed a seat. However, the very next sentence was followed up by a suggestion of using band to entice my son to come back to school. This just showed a complete disregard for the students well-being—as well as the fact that if it was a numbers game, I thought he wouldn’t have a seat?
We have started a petition and we have all the laws and regulations posted as well, which clearly state that this is a District 95—and not a state—issue.
We would like to bring as much attention as possible to this petition and allow as many people to sign it as we can. We need to stand up for the kids. After all, they are the future!”
-Anonymous
The community is outraged by this district’s deflection to serve its students to provide equality and inclusion. The denial of the right to engage in the art of music—or any activity that would allow a child to demonstrate creativity through what they love—is unacceptable! We should not stand for this. A child’s future should not be silenced at the hands of a school board or administration team! Let’s advocate for change!
Ways you can help this creative’s dream:
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