Background & Mission

How it started.

Standing Up for Natick Students began as an informal group of community members, collaborating to provide factual, scientifically-backed information to Natick residents in response to a group of “parental rights” activists.

This small but active group continues to put false and misleading information out into the community with the goal of inciting fear and undermining trust in public education.

The nation-wide “parental rights” effort is not going away - across the country or here in Natick. There continues to be a need for a vocal and active group to support students and NPS in their effort to deliver on its legal responsibility to provide students with “equal access to public education—irrespective of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or immigration status.” For this reason, our informal group is now formally Standing Up for Natick Students and is committed to:

• Advocating for evidence-based, DESE-backed curriculum and content related to inclusion and belonging

• Building a visible presence of allyship and solidarity for those targeted by “parental rights” groups

• Communicating respectfully and collaborating with teachers and administrators educating and nurturing our kids

• Developing a welcoming, inclusive, respectful community for all children and families by correcting the misinformation shared by other groups

• Educating ourselves and the Natick community on best practices to counter efforts of national and local “parental rights” groups

We will support and partner with, but not replicate, the work of existing Natick organizations whose missions include this important work long-term and in service to the community at large.