Greetings!
You may have heard about a disturbing situation in Erie, IL - the school district banned elementary educators from using GLSEN resources and programs such as No Name-Calling Week and Ready, Set, Respect! GLSEN's Elementary School Toolkit.
We were shocked.
The resources were already in use at Erie Elementary School, as they are in thousands of school districts across the country. The School Board's own committee also had just unanimously recommended Ready, Set, Respect!
GLSEN first and foremost believes in education. So we reached out to the School Board in hopes of opening a dialogue. We sent a letter informing them about the positive impact GLSEN's developmentally-appropriate resources have on all students. As most of you know, our resources are proven to make schools safer.
We explained why national leaders in elementary education - including the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association of Elementary School Principals - have endorsed GLSEN's programs and consider them invaluable tools for teaching respect for all. We explained how the decision is a step backwards at Erie Elementary School and every other school in Erie. And we asked the School Board to reconsider.
Unfortunately, the school board has indicated it won't budge. So now we need your help.
Go to glsen.org/reversetheban to find ways you can stand up for Erie children and ask the school district to reverse the ban. We need your help to make sure the School Board hears us and joins the thousands of districts across the country that embrace GLSEN resources to promote safety and respect for all students, including LGBT students and the children of LGBT parents.
We've got Facebook photos you can share, quotes you can tweet, actions you can take, and more.
Thanks for doing your part to make schools safe for all students! 
Eliza Byard
Executive Director
P.S. Local residents know the value of GLSEN resources. In fact, one former student created a petition on Change.org to ask the school board to reverse the ban. Will you take a moment to sign his petition on Change.org and share it with your friends?
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