Keep 'Disgusting' Sex Ed Classes Out Of Cinnaminson, Parents Say

CINNAMINSON, NJ — A group of parents implored the Cinnaminson Township School District on Thursday to not use an updated sex education curriculum that has come under fire around the Garden State.

Brittany Relvas, One of the parents said she had “no problems” with her 7-year-old daughter knowing words “like penius and vagina.”

However, she said she has problems with her daughter being “asked to describe a urethra, a vulva and an anus in front of the class and what those body parts do.

It’s disgusting and I really hope this board really thinks about what you're doing with these babies,” Relvas added.

Another parent, MaryBeth Henkens, raised concerns about what she called the “appalling” gender identity discussions that would take place with the proposed new curriculum.

“I send my kids to school to learn math, writing, science [and] to be taught normal, general things,” Henkens continued. “Not whether she wants to be a boy or a girl this day or a boy or a girl that day is totally OK. That’s not for a public school position to imply and put inside my children's heads.”

Stephen Capello, the district’s superintendent, reminded the parents that the board has to approve any curriculum before it is used in the classroom and that such votes have not taken place yet. He also offered to meet with the parents to try to assuage any concerns that they have.

Concerns similar to Cinnaminson’s parents’ worries have been raised in other parts of New Jersey, including Lacey, Toms River and Cranford.

Late last week, amid those concerns, Gov. Phil Murphy directed the state Department of Education to take another look at its guidelines for the state's updated sex education curriculum.

No timetable for the completion of Murphy’s request was provided.

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