Waverly class assignment spurs parent complaints, plan for protest

An assignment given to students at Waverly Middle School in August that dealt with diversity spurred complaints from a handful of parents and led to one of the topics being dropped.

Waverly Superintendent Cory Worrell said the controversy started when students in an eighth grade social studies class were given an assignment intended to teach them about different cultures.

Students were asked to choose and research four of seven provided topics: Celebrating Pride, Celebrating Women’s History, Celebrating Black History, Celebrating Hispanic Heritage, Celebrating Asian Pacific Americans, Celebrating Men’s Health, and Learn and Love Diversity.

Worrell said administrators were made aware of parent concerns regarding the assignments in August shortly after they were given, specifically about the Celebrating Pride topic.

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The middle school principal heard from four parents who expressed concerns about the assignment, while a couple of others expressed support for it, Worrell said.

The assignment was pulled from the course, and no student received a grade for it, he said.

While most assignments undergo an extensive curriculum review to be approved for the classroom, this one had not been fully vetted, Worrell said. Typically, teachers and administrators are required to review all content using state standards to approve all texts, written materials and assignments.

Worrell said he feels the issues raised regarding the assignment were resolved after communicating with parents and answering questions.

But one parent disagreed.

Shanna Allison, one of the parents to file a complaint about the assignment, said eighth grade students, including her own child, were asked to research topics like the history of the LGBTQ+ community, the Black Lives Matter movement and gender dysphoria for a graded social studies assignment.

She also claimed that students were taught about hatred toward law enforcement and that certain races are oppressed while White people are privileged — an allegation that was denied by the school.

She said these are all things that she considers “activism,” which she feels has no place in a classroom.

“It’s not about one teacher or 20 teachers doing it,” Allison said in an email. “All public school educators need to be neutral when it comes to political topics or views being taught in the classroom.”

Allison said that she requested to sit in on one of her three children’s classes at Waverly after the incident but was denied access by Worrell.

In an email she provided to the Lincoln Journal Star between her and Worrell, the superintendent highlighted school board policies that outline the district’s right to protect the learning environment from distractions and its policy on visitors and loitering.

Additionally, the parent handbook states that visitors are allowed to observe classes for only up to 30 minutes and must be approved by administration. If they feel it would be disruptive to the classroom, administrators reserve the right to say no to requests.

Allison said she is now planning a protest before school Nov. 1 in an area that’s visible from both the middle and high schools.

Waverly administration is aware of the planned protest and will work to ensure student safety throughout that morning, Worrell said.

“Our students’ safety and security will be our top priority this day as they travel on these sidewalks and streets outside of our buildings,” he said.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of October 2023

Nebraska head coach John Cook celebrates with fans following the Wisconsin vs. Nebraska college volleyball match at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. The Huskers won in five sets.

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Nebraska reacts after a final challenge goes their way and they win over Wisconsin during a college volleyball match at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. The Huskers won in five sets.

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Elkhorn South’s Dylan Kingston (80) punts the ball against Omaha North at Kinnick Stadium on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.​ Omaha North used smoke when the ran onto the field and in hung in the air for most of the first quarter.

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Morning rush hour speeds by on Highway 75 as “Starseeds,”a mural by Sarah Rowe on silos at the Ardent Mills Omaha South Mill located at 2900 C St, is almost finished.

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Northwestern’s Devin Turner (9) wraps ups Nebraska’s Heinrich Haarberg (10) during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

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Nebraska’s Joshua Fleeks (11) fumbles during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

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Nebraska’s James Williams (90) signs autographs for fans after defeating Northwestern during a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

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Northwestern’s Garnett Hollis, Jr. (2) keeps Nebraska’s Jaidyn Doss (85) from catching a pass during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

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Nebraska’s Ty Robinson (9) celebrates a sack late in the fourth quarter during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

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Millard North, left, and Papillion-La Vista stand during the National anthem before playing in the Nebraska Class A State Softball Championship at Connie Claussen Field in Omaha on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.​

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Papillion-La Vista’s Avery Wolfe (3) celebrates a two-run home run against Millard North during fifth inning of the Nebraska Class A State Softball Championship at Connie Claussen Field in Omaha on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.​

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Papillion-La Vista celebrates their win over Millard North for the Nebraska Class A State Softball Championship at Connie Claussen Field in Omaha on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.​

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Looking north on 48th Street, towards Center Street, Omaha fire and rescue investigate the scene of a car accident where a vehicle landed on its roof on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. No one was seriously injured.

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Omaha Westside’s Anthony Rezac (5) leaps over Millard South’s Javonte Walker (1) into the end zone in the Omaha Westside vs. Millard South football game at Millard South High School in Omaha on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Omaha Westside won the game 31-14.

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Omaha women are brought to tears during a rally in support of Palestinians at 72nd and Dodge Streets in Omaha on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

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Omaha Creighton Prep’s Tony Coniglio (5) tries to get away from Papillion-La Vista’s Payton Prestito (21) in the Papillion-La Vista vs. Omaha Creighton Prep football game at Omaha Burke High School in Omaha on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

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Elkhorn’s Charlie Lamksi, right, celebrates catching a pass behind Blair’s Ethan Baessler during the second half at Elkhorn on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

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Blair’s Brock Templar sacks Elkhorn quarterback Kayd Matthews during the first half at Elkhorn on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

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Bob Kerrey walks under the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

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Bob Kerrey gives a speech in front of the pedestrian bridge that bears his name on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

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Lincoln Pius X players celebrate their victory following the Millard West vs. Lincoln Pius X district A-6 softball championship at Millard West High School in Omaha on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Lincoln Pius X won the title 4-3.

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From left: Omaha’s Ede Gramberg (8), Omaha’s Gonzalo Cuevas (2) and Omaha’s Theo Klein (10) celebrate Klein’s goal during the second half of a men’s college soccer game at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

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Creighton’s Dominic Briggs (12) watches a shot sail past Omaha’s Nathanael Sallah (30) and wide of the goal during the second half of a men’s college soccer game at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

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Omaha police investigate an officer-involved shooting near 60th and Jaynes Streets on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

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