Parents demand action against Rockville Centre teacher accused of presenting anti-police lesson

A Rockville Centre high school teacher is in the hot seat Friday after parents say she presented an anti-police lesson to students.

News 12 Staff

Apr 24, 2021, 2:23 AM

Updated 1,090 days ago

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A Rockville Centre high school teacher is in the hot seat Friday after parents say she presented an anti-police lesson to students.
News 12 spoke with parents outside Southside High School about the controversial lesson, which calls for the defunding of police. Parents say they heard about the lesson.
Some parents say the teacher should face consequences. Parents say the teacher shouldn't be sharing her opinions.
A Twitter post shows lists of various statistics about police-involved deaths. One line in the post states, "American police kill civilians at a much higher rate than law-enforcement officers in every other wealthy country." Another line reads, "Police are the sixth leading cause of death among young Black men." In the end there's a call to defund, disarm and draw down the police.
One parent says, "We should support our police."
The assignment was last edited by Cynthia Vitere, who's listed on the school's website as a social studies teacher.
Superintendent of Schools June Chang sent out a letter to families. The letter didn't specifically mention the lesson, but she did write, "Lessons and activities that create divisiveness or that marginalize anyone have no place in our schools."
Parent Anne McCabe says she has no problem with the teacher's message because it discusses current events from a different perspective.
"Southside High School is predominately white. I think it's good to expose our children to every point of view. Not just the one they're growing up in," says McCabe.
The district would not say when or if any action would be taken. Parents say they think the teacher should at least be spoken to or reminded that she shouldn't share political opinions with students.


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