Wichita Public Schools has sent a letter to parents explaining a bulletin board portraying the Five Pillars of Islam at Minneha Core Knowledge Magnet Elementary.
The bulletin board has come under scrutiny after a photo of it was posted online. The photo was shared more than 3,700 times on the Facebook page “Prepare to Take America Back.”
The district has removed the bulletin board, but said the photo is a misrepresentation. In an email statement, the district said Islam is one of five major religions taught at the school for their historical significance. Other religions include Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism.
The district said the Islam bulletin board will be taken down until the curriculum is taught later in the fall. A painting of the Last Supper is also hanging in the school, the district said.
Minneha is a Core Knowledge magnet school, meaning students apply for admission.
The content of the district’s letter to parents is as follows:
Good afternoon Minneha parents,
THANK YOU for a wonderful start to our school year! It was fabulous to see so many of you at school for our Meet the Teacher night and bond celebration. We are so grateful for your support as we begin the year.
I am writing today to let you know about an issue that you may hear about in our community over the next several days. As vital advocates for our school community and the Core Knowledge curriculum at Minneha, it is important for you to have facts about this issue should you receive questions.
Religion is an important component of the history of civilizations. Your students at Minneha cover the five major religions of the world – Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam – as part of their Core Knowledge magnet curriculum. Students study civilizations throughout time, throughout the world, and cover religion with a focus on history and geography in the development of civilizations.
Over the last several days, questions have emerged about a bulletin board in our 4th grade hallway that represents the 5 Pillars of Islam. This display represented one aspect of religion in a historical context. Other aspects of religion in a historic and geographic context will be taught in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th grades this fall. The purpose of this study is not to explore matters of theology, but to understand the place of religion and religious ideas in history.
Unfortunately, a photo of this bulletin board has been posted in an online forum without appropriate representation of the historical context in which it was to be used. There are some who took offense to the bulletin board without understanding Core Knowledge curriculum, and this offense resulted in numerous phone calls, e-mails and media inquiries. In order to alleviate the distraction to our students and teachers, the display was taken down last week until this particular unit for 4th graders is taught in early October.
Those of you who are returning Minneha parents also know that there is a painting of the Last Supper hanging in the school as part of the study of art and the Renaissance period. Our Minneha students have received these lessons as part of their Core Knowledge education for years. With more than 60 percent of our Minneha students coming to us as magnet students, we know you place great value on the strength and tradition of the Core Knowledge curriculum.
If any of you would like to know more about specific aspects of our curriculum as it relates to this subject, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I would be happy to share that information with you. Or you may visit www.coreknowledgefoundation.org for additional details.
Thank you for your on-going support of Minneha Core Knowledge Magnet Elementary!
Regards,
Dr. Linda Hope
Principal