McClure Junior High in Western Springs has a club where students are encouraged to discuss concerns they have with their parents. | McClure Junior High
McClure Junior High in Western Springs has a club where students are encouraged to discuss concerns they have with their parents. | McClure Junior High
McClure Junior High in Western Springs is encouraging its seventh and eighth grade students to confide in teachers to "discuss topics" of "concern"-- including their parents.
A flyer currently promoting the school's "McActivists" social justice club, outlining its goals, was obtained by West Cook News.
McActivists is "a safe space to discuss topics that concern YOU!," the flyer reads. "Friends, parents, middle school, high school, anything!"
The club is organized by teachers Theresa Kelly, 38, of Oak Park, and Emily Knaub, 25, of Channahon. Kelly and Knaub also coach girls' basketball at the school.
Kelly is a science teacher. Knaub teaches math.
"Talk & Learn about Social Justice Issues (LGBTQIA+, BLM, etc.), the flyer reads. "Make a positive impact on our school climate."
"LGBTQIA+" is an acronym that stands for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Ally."
"BLM" refers to Black Lives Matter, a political activist group that has promised to "disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure" and has called for an end to police. It held a small event in summer 2020 at Western Springs' Tower Green, led by Lyons Township student Grace Regan.
McClure is part of Western Springs District 101 and has an enrollment of 510, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Western Springs District 101 Board members include Caitlin Sendaydiego, Brett Lettiere, Meredith Adler, Meghan Cahill, Kate Heit, Catherine Dudley and Dan Pansing. Its superintendent is Brian Barnhart.
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