Two students have left Our Lady of Guadalupe School after a showdown between their parents and principal, April Beuder, regarding reading assignments.
On Saturday, February 21, Cherill Fajardo sent an email to OLG parents warning them that two books “Bridge to Terabithia” and “The Giver” were being taught to fifth and sixth grade students.
“Our main concern is that [“Bridge to Terabithia”] was a frequent target of censors, coming in at number eight on the American Library Association’s list of the 100-most-banned/challenged books for 1990-2000 and dropping only to number 28 for 2001-2009,” she said in the email. Fajardo wrote the email after an unproductive meeting with a fifth grade teacher, Ms. Ruma, the day before.
She went on to enumerate her concerns with the book, including offensive language, “use of the word ‘lord’ outside of prayer,” disrespect for adults and promotion of witchcraft.
“This material is satanic, a danger to our children, is being studied excessively, and has no place in our schools,” she said. “…We spend our hard earned money at this difficult economic times to send our children to a Catholic private school. We trust that the school would protect, provide and safely guard the physical as well as the spiritual and psychological well being of our children.”
Principal Beuder received the email from another parent and responded swiftly.
“Your recent email was forwarded to me by a number of parents who do not share your point of view and found response highly inappropriate,” her response to Fajardo read. “Based upon the numerous inaccuracies and accusations with your email…I am asking you to withdraw your children from the school as soon as possible.”
In a follow-up email, Beuder said Fajardo’s “inappropriate and destructive behavior is a clear violation of our Parent Agreement.”
Fajardo responded that February 20 would, retroactively, be her children’s last day at OLG and accused Beuder of violating her First Amendment rights.
“Just to be clear, we are not withdrawing our children because you have asked us to leave,” she said. “But because we do not believe in your system anymore, your methods of teaching and handling parents serious concerns.”
Beuder and Fajardo have declined to comment. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which partners with the Department of Catholic Schools, issued a statement.
“One family expressed concerns about two of the many books on the school list to other parents without first raising their concerns with the school administration,” the Archdiocese said. “The school suggested that the family consider a different school environment and also requested that the family meet with the principal to discuss the matter. The family has decided to withdraw their children from the school.
The school has not received any complaints or concerns from any other families regarding the books. The Department of Catholic Schools has been in dialogue with the principal on this matter.”
