Kids' Dress-Up Day called controversial

Years before political correctness became the rule of the land, high school senior class students would hold a "Role-Reversal Day" as part of Senior Week where students would dress up as the opposite sex. In college, there would be parties where males dress up as females and vice-versa. It was all done in spirit of good fun and silliness. I could still remember when one guy dressed up as Madonna with the pointed bra. It was so funny.

The notion of these students trying to promote alternative lifestyles or transgenderism was unheard of. It would have been the last thing to cross their minds.

Of course, some folks today believe that doing such a thing is completely taboo and might even (shudder) cause a fellow student to think he/she is a different sex. Some call it un-Christian.

Are such reactions exaggerated? Or justified?

It appears that students at Pineview Elementary decided to do a "Senior Citizen and Opposite Gender" day as part of this year's Wacky Week. Every year, the students would do a different theme meant to boost classroom energy at the end of winter. This year, students can dress up as senior citizens or as members of the opposite sex.

The opposite sex theme must have gotten a fellow local resident upset so that person informed the Voice of Christian Youth America, a Milwaukee-based radio network that aired on nine radio stations throughout Wisconsin. The radio network, believing that demons have overtaken the school, issued a special broadcast alert. They criticized the dress-up day and accused the district of promoting alternative lifestyles.

At this point, did the radio network issue their special broadcast based on the opinions of this one local resident? Did they contact the school to find more about this Wacky Week event? It would seem a bit stupid to base your findings on only one source. Most of the news stories talked about one local resident calling the radio station about the event.

Jim Schneider, Network's program director:
"We believe it's the wrong message to send to elementary students. Our station is one that promotes traditional family values. It concerns us when a school district strikes at the heart and core of the Biblical values. To promote this to elementary-school students is a great error."

Vic Eliason, VP and Exec Director of VCY America:
"If it was some kind of silly party, a birthday or fun, this is not an issue. We're not against kids having fun. But one of the things that has happened of late is the issue of gender and transgenderism, and these are deeply held issues within the family."

Being that only one side of the story was aired over the radio network, calls complaining about the event flooded the school and the Reedsburg School District office.

I would expect most of the calls were pretty much accusing the school trying to promote alternative lifestyles, that it was alright for boys and girls to pretend like girls and boys respectively, and other unethical things.

Shari Miller, Student Senate Advisor:
"We didn't think about it like that, the kids didn't think about it like that. And therefore, that's why we went with it. We never thought that anything would come about like this."

Principal Tammy Hayes:
"We did not mean to offend anybody by accepting the children's idea here and the children certainly did not mean any ill will by choosing this day."

The principal noted that no one had raised any objections beforehand. She said a flier detailing Wacky Week had been sent home with children the prior week, and an announcement was also included in teacher newsletters.

Of course, they did not ask the Christian Youth America group. Maybe there should be a CYA censor at the school to make sure Christian valued themes are taught over there. Yes, we do not want to have corruptive, adult-style themes that would damage the children. Could we please exercise some common sense?

Honestly, imagine if it were medieval times, the school would be razed and the heretics burned at the stake.

It sounds to me that if a school wants to hold an event, they have to literally ask everyone living in the district including residents that do not have any children.

I can help write the form....

"Dear Resident,

Despite the fact that you do not have a student going to Pineview Elementary School, we just wanted to let you know that we are holding a Opposite Sex Event where males and females will undergo surgery and become members of the opposite sex. If you have any objection, please contact the Reedsburg School District office. Thank you."

Anyhow, the school district wanted to stop the complaints, so they decided that Wacky Week will still continue, but Opposite Gender Day would not be on the list for students to choose.

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