sgreen@district158.org

From: Phyllis Sent: Mon 2/19/2007 11:17 PM
To: Susan Crotty; Dean Reschke; James Caulfield; Suzyn Price; Debra Shipley; Mike Davitt; Gerry Cassioppi; Alan Leis
Subject: Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology

Dear District 203 board members
As the mother of five children, four of whom are currently District 203 students, I am writing concerning the upcoming debate and vote on textbook adoption for school year 2007-2008, especially concerning the textbook, Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology.
Researching the contents of this textbook, and following the public comments made on the issue, I have come to the decision that public monies should not be used to purchase this textbook, nor should this textbook be used in any of our classrooms, since it contains materials and opinions not in conformity with accepted scientific language and because important sections of its material and tone are not politically neutral, but rather are politically biased on very sensitive issues.
I strongly urge you not to approve this text and to allow further time and input for finding a scientifically careful and exact text, one that does not mix the teaching of science with that of political agenda.
As example of material which uses improper and incorrect scientific terms, the sections referring to the “fertilized egg” would apply. This term is not scientifically correct and is politically charged. In the current reproductive and genetic debates this term detracts from anyone who would hold that from conception there is a new human life, a human in the embryonic stage, one that should be afforded the same protection and rights as all other human persons.
In another section, the text presents contraception in a politically charged tone. It confuses abortifacients with contraceptives, it publicizes the very controversial Planned Parenthood and it incorrectly reports that there are no side effects to the RU486 abortion pill. First of all, many consider that there is always a complication with RU486…that of the death of an unborn baby, secondly, there have been adult deaths associated with the pill as well as fears of long term effects on the reproductive futures of the women using RU486. Please see the New York Times article on this issue.
Important to note is that the three page section on contraception affords only three lines to abstinence. This is interesting considering that District 203 prides itself on teaching an abstinence based curriculum in its sexual education curriculum. This three page section also repeatedly refers to Natural Family Planning Methods as Rhythm Methods. This is not a scientifically accurate term, but rather is a very outdated and politically loaded term.
Again I urge you to not approve the text, Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology, and I urge you to allow community input on finding a text that is scientifically accurate and politically neutral.
I thank you for your time and for all you do for our world class school district.
Sincerely
Phyllis

From: Susan Crotty [mailto:scrotty@naperville203.org]
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 10:42 AM
To: Phyllis
Subject: RE: Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology

Phyllis,

Sorry about that I have been trying to respond to all my emails as I feel it is part of my elected duties wherever possible.
Your reasoning for voting no on the text book is flawed - the right is a granted as a 1st Amendment Right - RU486 and Abortion are not illegal. This is a science class not religion. Are you going to stop riding in cars because over 45,000 people died last year in car accidents? Should our kids not be allowed to drive cars to school or have access to drivers ed??? Where does it end???

Susan

Susan Crotty
Board of Education
Naperville District 203
630-778-7002
scrotty@naperville203.org
http://www.naperville203.org

From: Phyllis
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:06 PM
Subject: RE: Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology

Dear Ms Crotty
Thank you again for your time in answering my email from this morning. I can only imagine how much time this takes in responding to all the issues facing the board.
I do want to respond, though to your comments, so that I can clarify my position on the approval of the Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology. It was not clear from your response if my initial email had been understood. For this reason I am also copying the other board members on this reply.
I am not asking for a discussion on the legality of RU 486 or abortion, I am asking that the text not be approved “since it contains materials and opinions not in conformity with accepted scientific language and because important sections of its material and tone are not politically neutral, but rather are politically biased on very sensitive issues.”
I am not sure how being scientifically accurate involves a discussion on the First Amendment, teen drivers or accident fatalities.
Again, thank you for your time in listening to the voters and tax payers on this issue.
Phyllis

“The Board of Education for Consolidated School District #158 opposes HB 2354. We believe the provisions in this bill amending the School Code by removing the teaching of “sexual abstinence until marriage”, and adding the requirement for school districts to provide “comprehensive sexual health education” are wholly inappropriate. These requirements take critical local control authority away from school districts, and the District 158 Board of Education strongly encourages our legislators to vote against passage of this bill.”

Keep up the good work everyone!

Shawn Green
BOE President CSD#158
sgreen@district158.org