Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones was forced to address a controversial video that second-graders in Greenwich, Connecticut were shown during \u201ca lesson on social and emotional learning,\u201d according to theGreenwich Free Press. The cartoon, titled \u201cAlfred Jr. & Shadow: A Short Story About Being Scared,\u201d included animation that some parents found entirely too graphic for children.
\n\u201cAll children are normalscared, but what do children who are embarrassedscared or painfulscared need?\u201d the description of the animated video asks. The short story, which is an educational film intended for children aged 6-14 years, teaches children about different ways of being scared, what they need when they are scared, and suggestions for actions. It also gives adults tips on how to meet a child who is scared.The nearly 10-minute film features two cartoon owls talking about traumatic experiences for children, including \u201cstuff that\u2019s very difficult to talk about,\u201d according toThe Washington Examiner. While that might sound all well and good, some of the imagery was not, according to some parents who were left \u201cdisgusted.\u201d
\nIn the cartoon footage, kids are shown the silhouette of a man with a graphic, fully erect penis as he stood over what has been described as a \u201csad\u201d girl,The Blazereported. That image remains on the screen for roughly nine seconds before cutting to other potential terrifying scenarios, according to theNY Post.
\nSome children are afraid that their mom and dad will beat them, or that their parents will fight,\u201d a voice narrating the video says. \u201cOther children have experienced an adult touching or putting their penis in the child\u2019s private parts or mouth\u201d and are \u201cterrified that this will happen again,\u201d the voiceover adds as the controversial image is displayed on the screen for several seconds.
\nDescribed byThe Washington Examineras \u201ca sexually aroused silhouetted man standing over a dejected-looking child,\u201d t he graphic image didn\u2019t sit well with Greenwich parent and Newsmax host Carl Higbie. \u201cIn my hometown, in my daughters [sic] age group class of second grade, they showed an animated video today of a man with an ERECTION standing over a child!!!!! this is not OK!!!!\u201d HigbietweetedAlthough Higbie said he was \u201crelieved\u201d that his own second-grader did not see the film, he added that several other \u201cdisgusted\u201d parents had reached out to him to express their outrage. \u201cThat somebody thought this video was acceptable for second graders was abhorrent,\u201d he said, and Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones seemed to agree, admitting it was \u201cnot appropriate.\u201d
\n\u201cAround the midway point in the video there is [a] reference to situations in which children may become afraid, including being afraid of abuse, both physical and sexual,\u201d Dr. Toni Jones wrote in an email to second-grade families, addressing the controversial video. She went on to acknowledge that \u201cthe content at this point in the video was not appropriate for our GPS second grade classrooms\u201d and said it was \u201clikely meant for a private therapy session for children who have experienced trauma.\u201dDue to the nature of the video, Dr. Jones said that the district notified the Dept of Children and Families (DCF), which they do whenever they believe students may have been exposed to material or situations that may warrant a follow-up. She also said that the district\u2019s psychology staff would answer any questions parents may have, including how to discuss the video with their child. In addition, staff would offer a student session for parents who would like more support as she apologized for any questions or concerns this may have raised for children.
\nWhile it is understandable thatchildrenneed to be educated on thereal dangerofsexual abuse, many do not feel that an image of an erect penis \u2014 cartoon or otherwise \u2014 is necessary to achieve that goal, especially when it comes to 7- or 8-year-old children. After all, if a child showed a similar image to a peer, they\u2019d likely face disciplinary action. Obviously, the educator responsible either thought this was \u201cokay\u201d or \u201cdidn\u2019t care enough to review this before playing it,\u201d as Higbie pointed out. Neither of which provides much reassurance for upset parents.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones was forced to address a controversial video that second-graders in Greenwich, Connecticut were shown during \u201ca lesson on social and emotional… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n