Virginia County cancels classes over security concerns
STAUNTON, Va. — Schools in Virginia’s Augusta County are canceling classes Friday because of security concerns following parental outrage over a world geography lesson that included writing a Muslim statement of faith.
Schools were locked down around 3:45 p.m. ET Thursday, and after-school activities and sports were canceled.
About two hours later, the Augusta County Schools website was updated with a statement from Superintendent Eric Bond announcing that school would be closed Friday, the last day before students go on winter break.
The statement said: "Following parental objections to the World Geography curriculum and ensuing related media coverage, the school division began receiving voluminous phone calls and electronic mail locally and from outside the area."
The statement goes on to say that the communication has increased Thursday, and due to the concerning "tone and content," the decision was made by Bond and Sheriff Randall Fisher to close school on Friday.
"We regret having to take this action, but we are doing so based on the recommendations of law enforcement and the Augusta County School Board out of an abundance of caution," the statement said.
The Augusta County Sheriff's Office would not comment on the security issue.
The closings come after some students and parents here expressed outrage after a high school world geography lesson last week required students to write a Muslim statement of faith.
During a lesson on world religions, Riverheads High School teacher Cheryl LaPorte had students complete an assignment that involved practicing calligraphy and writing a Muslim statement of faith. The statement translates as: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."
Students were not asked to translate the statement or to recite it. The Virginia Department of Education found the lesson was in line with Virginia Standards of Learning for the study of monotheistic world religions.
However, when a few students refused to complete the assignment the word got out to the parents. Outraged parents said they will not have their children complete world geography in her class.
About 100 people attended a forum Tuesday night to discuss the incident. Attendees were required to show photo identification and sign in before entering the church sanctuary where the discussion was held. Police were present and attendees could not carry in bags.