Back-to-School Alert: How SEL and Mental Health Screenings Impact Your Kids
- Krista Bontrager
- Aug 15
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 27
Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges parents face in navigating today’s public school system, including the impact of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model, and controversial policies like California’s AB495 and Illinois’ mandatory mental health screenings for grades 3-12 starting in the 2027-28 school year. As Christian parents, we’re called to steward our children’s hearts and minds (Deut. 6:6–9; Prov. 1:8; Eph. 6:4). Learn how these initiatives, often tied to equity, critical theory, and data collection, may affect your child’s education and worldview, and explore practical ways to stay informed and protect parental rights. Our aim isn’t panic—it’s clarity, so you can make wise, prayerful decisions for your family.
On tonight’s episode, we brought back our friend and colleague, Kelly Ske. Kelly is a Christian parent, a skilled researcher, and a parent advocate for families navigating the public school system. If you missed our previous conversation with Kelly, check out the link in the resources below.
The goal of tonight’s conversation:
Our purpose tonight is to help parents understand public education impacts on children, often without parental knowledge. We want to emphasize the importance of raising children in God's admonition, which may conflict with public school teachings.
We recognize common objections to opting out of public education (e.g., affordability, Christian teachers/principals); however, adults/parents must lead their families.
Remember: multiple truths can coexist—we can bless Christians in public schools as missionaries while urging parental vigilance, especially in "red states" or rural areas; parents should research their districts to evaluate realities!
Highlights from the discussion:
Q. Tell us about yourself and what got you into public education advocacy.
It began personally in her small school district. Advocating for more recess/lunchtime for her son, she discovered a "mindfulness moment" using a Tibetan singing bowl, led by the principal. Meeting with the principal revealed SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) and "whole child" philosophy. This led to ongoing research into curricula and topics. Her goal: Help parents, teachers, and policymakers understand complex issues for better decisions. She uses her research skills to inform others.
Q. Please recap SEL and the whole school model for context.
SEL is marketed as neuroscience-based, helping with kindness, conflict resolution, and calming kids. However, it's carefully crafted with marketing in mind—parents should scrutinize like a product review. Originated in 1994 at the Fetzer Institute (tied to spiritual beliefs, including Luciferian/theosophical influences from founder John Fetzer). Framework guides topics like competencies: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, social awareness. It's a values-replacement model, extending to sports, workplaces, and communities. Examples: Mind Up curriculum (by actress, Goldie Hawn) favors Buddhism, includes teacher trainings with Tibetan singing bowls and lotus-position meditation up to 3x/day. Spiritual aspects funded by Fetzer/Rockefeller; Columbia University videos show ties to changing spiritual beliefs via education. Monique notes this promotes minority religions (e.g., Buddhism) while avoiding Christianity, aligning with critical theory to shift from "normative" (e.g., Christian) culture.
Q. Explain the WSCC model and its fit with SEL, including health clinics and mental health screenings.
WSCC (also called community/sustainable/healthy schools) merges health and education for "equity." Schools become community hubs for welfare/social services, shifting from reading/writing/arithmetic to nutrition, health, psychological well-being. Promoted by ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, originated in NEA) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control) . Concerns: Health clinics on campus provide services without parents present (e.g., dental/eye exams as marketing, but focus on sexual/reproductive health, including gender transitioning). Examples: Washington State's Nova High School (via Cardea, tied to comprehensive sexuality education like Positive Prevention Plus) allows 12-year-olds access to puberty blockers without parental consent. Ties to equity, liberation schooling, and data collection (e.g., on grit, family info). Monique highlights omission of "whole family," prioritizing community/school over parents, potentially introducing conflicting teachings (e.g., Tibetan singing bowls).
Q. Explain AB495 and its implications.
Expands "caregiver" definition for school-related medical services, ostensibly for immigration crises (e.g., deported parents). Broad wording allows non-relatives with minimal connection to consent to decisions, including surgery, without background checks. Erosion of parental authority; vague criteria create loopholes. Attorneys call it "terrifying." Parental notification unclear—some interpretations say not required. Fits broader erosion of family (e.g., "it takes a village"); UN views "family" as problematic. Ties to socialist agendas abolishing family, redefining marriage/gender. Teachers unions (NEA/AFT) use socialist language (e.g., "our kids"); promote community schools with Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kaiser, Blue Cross. Involves home visits, data storage. Advice: Discuss with kids how to refuse surveys; keep paper trails for opt-outs.
Q. Can you explain Illinois's new law requiring mental health screenings for grades 3-12 starting 2027-28 and the concerns this raises?
Mandatory assessments; opt-outs are possible but treat as "band-aid"—be vigilant, send to all staff, keep records, involve pro bono lawyers. Train kids to assert rights (e.g., say no). Mental health pushed post-COVID but planned earlier (1998 references). No programs avoid gender transition views. "Safe" terms (e.g., safe schools) often mean LGBTQ+ support, not traditional safety. Example: NEA's "I'm Here" badge (with pride flags) links to resources like transgender clinics, Planned Parenthood Toronto. Family engagement may mean "chosen family" at school. Qualifications: Many counselors unlicensed; peer counseling emerging (e.g., Arizona research). Chicago Teachers Union quote: Community schools as anti-racist, equity-focused hubs with wraparound supports beyond school hours. Housing on campuses discussed. Ties to Planned Parenthood/Guttmacher/Advocates for Youth (national sexuality standards, amaze.org videos). School-Based Health Alliance promotes clinics focusing on gender/sexual orientation questions, even for unrelated visits. Curricula (e.g., 7th-grade sex ed) link to emancipation resources for transitioning.
Q. Kelly, do you have any final words to share?
Research school districts (search "equity" on websites); check MOUs/contracts, social media (e.g., #ethnicstudies on Instagram/X), LinkedIn. Contact her on X/Facebook for help.
Resources:
Check out our previous conversation with Kelly Ske, "Understanding Community Schools?": https://www.youtube.com/live/Q0D7UbRZCRA?si=w2_GpBZYOvdj75n3
Krista's crash course in SEL (Social-Emotional Learning): https://www.youtube.com/live/Et4VDo1ob4o?si=lNM4v_sfGItDKreg
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