Respect: Mat-Su schools honor parents, create ways for them to approve books their kids check out

In stark contrast to Anchorage School District policies, the Mat-Su School District has developed a way for parents to be informed and have the ability to approve of the books their children are checking out of the school libraries.

The Valley district sent notices home on Thursday to parents, explaining the new process, which is something parents can opt-into, but at their own discretion.

“We want to keep you informed about an important update to ensure you have control over your student’s library reading choices in the MSBSD,” the district wrote.

Under Board Policy 6020, the School Board described the role of parents and guardians as “key stakeholders in their children’s education—they are their children’s first and most influential teachers. Parental engagement in the education of children contributes greatly to student achievement and conduct.”

Along with other board policies, the District is providing this new option to parents so that they can be involved in their student’s reading choices.

“If you wish to require parent permission for your student to check out any book from the library, please review the process detailed below (no action needed if you’re not interested in required parent approval). This option is available in ParentVUE and instructions for requiring permission are attached to this letter. If you need support, please contact your student’s school or the IT call center (761-4357) Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM,” the district said.

The process works like this:

1. Parent checks “yes” in Synergy (online parent access) requiring parent permission before books can be checked out (ParentVUE).
2. Student selects book(s) at school library.
3. Student picks up form from librarian and takes the form home to be signed by the parent.
4. If approved by parents, students will return the form to the librarian.
5. Student proceeds to check out the book(s).

Some students in the school district come from very conservative Christian homes. In the Mat-Su, for example, several conservative churches include:

Several Baptist congregations, with over 3,600 adherents

One Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, with 138 adherents

Seven Assemblies of God, with 408 adherents

One Bethel Fellowship Mennonite Churches, with 47 adherents

One Catholic Church, with 2,720 adherents

Four Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations, with 1,028 adherents

The complete list of Mat-Su congregations are at this link.