An activist school psychologist within the Mat-Su School District is using his position to encourage educators at several elementary schools to secretly affirm students who believe they are gay, bi-sexual or transgender.
Jake Balaskovits is a roving school psychologist who splits his time between Sherrod Elementary and Butte Elementary. He is also listed as a school psychologist for Finger Lake Elementary and his email signature includes Ya Ne Dah Ah School in Chickaloon.
On Sept. 6 he sent an email to local educators, encouraging them to display rainbow-colored stickers to signify to students that they are allies who will affirm their LGBTQ identity without divulging it to “others” who may not be on board.
Balaskovits wrote that he would hand out laminated rainbow “safe space” stickers to anyone who wanted them.
“I’m offering these every year, so get used to it,” he said.
Balaskovits explained that the rainbow stickers serve as a symbol to children that educators are supportive of LGBTQ identities.
“You do not have to be an expert in LGBTQ identity to display a Safe Space sticker,” Balaskovits explained. “However, teachers who display the Safe Space Sticker should be prepared for students to approach them about LGBTQ identity.”
He then tells educators that by displaying the rainbow symbols they are signaling to children that they will “affirm their chosen or shared names, pronouns, or other identities, and can refer them to someone in the school who they can talk to more.”
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
He asks educators to use recommendations from an organization called GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network). Balaskovits’ email included a flyer from GLSEN which instructs allied teachers to be prepared to “act in allyship with the LGBTQ community in and outside of school.”
Balaskovits’ email notes that teachers should also be “familiar with a student’s right to privacy, where you do not disclose identity information to others.” According to recommendations from the GLSEN flyer, “others” can mean child’s “family members” and “adults” who may not be on board with the child’s LGBTQ identity.
Other recommendations from Balaskovits included asking teachers to “affirm students’ chosen pronouns in conversations,” and to “learn, use, and affirm new identity and relationship terms and experiences.”
Balaskovits said that LGBTQ identity issues are more “prevalant during middle and high school,” but that these questions “certainly start to come up in the grades we serve as well.”
Balaskovits works with children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
TAKING ACTION
— Contact Butte Elementary Principal Joshua Rockey at Joshua.rockey@matsuk12.us or by calling 907-861-5202
— Contact Sherrod Elementary Principal Lorri Cook at Lorri.Cook@matsuk12.us or by calling (907) 761-4102.
— Contact Finger Lake Elementary Principal Juliana Hardy at Juliana.Hardy@matsuk12.us or by calling 907-864-2202
— Contact Mat-Su School Board members by clicking here.
60 Comments
Itinerant groomer.
Steve, I know you don’t believe that.
The school board needs to up thier vetting, these fires keep erupting over and over and its clearly pissing a lot of people off, somewhere along this chain a weak link exists that is allowing the propagation of deviancy, perhaps its the school board themselves? If they deem in necessary for children to be exposed to this garbage they they need to be individually outspoken about it and not hide it behind some obscure policy, the parents deserve to know what thier children are being exposed to and more importantly who is doing it and why.
Agree, this person Jake is a child Predator going from school to school. Again I’m saying, take your kids our of these woke schools now. Before it’s to late for your children.
If you do, Mat-Su, PLEASE teach them how to properly write sentences. “Our” should be “out”, right Proud. You lose the impact of the sentence when there are grammatical or spelling errors.
The Diversity Inclusion and Equity office hires teachers who have a Critical Conciousness and who will impose this on children. They also screen out any teachers who are not part of this cult. Many school board members are on board with this. Go to a school board meeting if you want to see how they vote on this stuff.
We need to get serious about our elections. If ranked choice allows progressive candidates to get elected, we’re doomed for this type of perversion to become law. Stop the insanity.
Affirm? Or actively encourage young children to question their identity? This “psychologist” needs to see a psychiatrist or, better yet, a police investigation as he appears to be a pedo groomer working with young children.
Stop the woke from enforcing their views on our children and fire this man immediately. The schools should be focused on educating children and stop prioritizing the woke agenda on staff and children.
Hey, Stand, not sure that he is promoting, merely letting children know that they have a safe space, SHOULD any of them need it. This talk of a conspiracy to turn kids into something they are not is scary. Let’s make sure that all children have a safe place to express themselves.
Do you see how hypocritical this all is? . A safe place to express themselves? Poor kids can’t even turn a corner without being shoved Pride clothes with rainbow stripes down a Target clothing aisle. This talk of a conspiracy to turn kids into something they are not is scary. However it is not a conspiracy. People are actively doing it.
Wooohooo!!!! Doing exactly what a school psychologist should: allowing children and students to feel accepted and supported for who they are, no questions asked, and giving them the privacy to do so. Anyone who thinks otherwise has no place in education.
Katie, or is it really Kevin?
Probably Karen
Let me ask one question: Who are people in the LGBTQ community harming? Who gets hurt in allowing children to feel comfortable talking to licensed professional adults about WHO THEY ARE?Is it hurting anyone? No. Maybe we should be focusing our energy on gun regulation and safety, considering the lack thereof IS actually killing and harming children in schools.
When the kids that he is influencing are 4-10 years old you know there’s a problem, stop being ignorant and think about when you were a kid, you probably weren’t being pushed towards All of this bs. Let the kids be kids and stop questioning themselves for who they are and what their worth is, because that’s exactly what the schools are trying to do.
I don’t know that name-calling is what is needed here. Let’s pretend we are the adults, not the kids.
if a kid is on a roof believing without a doubt he is a bird…… Would it be wise for a psychologist to give him a safe space and say yes I believe in you. Or hey…..slow down. Lets talk about how you are feeling and maybe what is influencing this….. Lets look facts and science — like our DNA. We are not birds. We are not what we believe….We dont have wings even if we might really believe we want them. I know alcoholics that really believed they were sober when they got pulled over and a DUI. Gravity is real. Are we not actively promoting these kids to jump into a future that could cause harm?
Theresa, your argument assumes that heterosexuality is the proper path. I’m guessing because of your belief in the Bible or some scripture. Humans have been around a lot longer than that. Our DNA, doesn’t make us heterosexual. That’s where your argument fails. Maybe just accept who people are. We are all people, not birds as you persuasively stated.
Did you just compare someone being gay to a human being believing they are a bird?
No- what’s it doing is pushing an agenda-
If you think it’s about inclusion then why aren’t they handing out Bibles and flyers to attend church.
Where are the opportunities for kids that feel harassed by the ABC people to express themselves in a safe space.
Only one agenda matters to people like that child groomer, and it’s what they want- not what an individual child wants.
Here’s what happened in a nutshell:
Covid closures in the Anchorage school district forced Anchorage area parents to seek education opportunities in Mat- Su for their children because they were tired of the masking policies and Covid shut downs. A huge influx of liberal families moved to Mat Su at that point. Now Mat Su is dealing with Liberal Left Anchorage problems that didn’t exist before. For such a small population of the world, we sure are bending over backwards to accommodate this LGBetc community while all of the other children are suffering because now young ladies can’t use a restroom safely without being worried there is a boy or unsafe situation lurking there. These liberal issues are only issues seemingly in America. No other country puts up with this hogwash and no other country continues to assert rights for small percentage groups of people who take, take, take away the fundamental rights of everyone else.
Um, S, according to a survey done by UCLA law school, 56 countries since 1981 have increased acceptance of the LGBT+ community. Don’t think we are the only ones and I don’t think the UCLA law school is spewing hogwash. Also, those 56 countries are some of the most advanced countries in the world.
Jes Saying- You’re missing the point. Over and over again as you clearly outline with every response you have to anyone here.
Anyone can Google stats and spit random facts associated with all of these perspectives. You aren’t adding any depth to any of these comments. There’s no discourse with your replies. You are delusional, debate-driven and are leaning on far left, liberal studies that do nothing but propel conservatives, like myself, into further dousing you with a good dose of reality. Stop it with your leftist flatulence. We’re all over it already.
The U.S. is making a mockery of itself with Biden in the lead because he’s supporting all of the LGBTQ hogwash- yes hogwash- which means it’s infiltrating our school systems, the aisles of our grocery stores and even our municipal libraries. Nothing is sacred anymore. Apparently not even church. And for what?! For such a small percentage of our population?! So people like you aren’t getting their rainbow marshmallow feelings hurt?! You are entitled to your opinions, JES SAYIN, but I’m here to “Jes say” you must be drinking the LGBTQ koolaid. Find a different media source to troll.
Barb, you are straight up ignorant. Your welfare checks will now have to go to a good attorney instead of beer. If I were Jake I would immediately sue you for libel. Your pedo comments should just stay in your single wide, with your single firing brain cell.
And your comments weren’t ignorant? I think your, what they call PROJECTING?
“You’re” is what you meant, right? Sorry, that’s kind of ironic
Kids are clearly hurting. They want connection and identity. Watch an hour of Youtube and you will see at least a dozen ads promoting homosexuality like it’s the new Happy Meal on the lunch menu. The poor kids are flooded with confusion. The LBGT movement is great at providing an identity for kids who are hurting and want to a group to belong too. Unfortunately this group is like being lost and find a stranger who instead of showing you the way, walks you farther into the woods. The rainbow is Gods promise to us and has nothing to do with sexuality. As parents we are being woken up by an agenda that is anything but love. It’s time as Christians we take back the rainbow or the future is just a tornado away from our kids being swept up.
Theresa, what are you watching on YouTube? I watch plenty of videos to learn things and I haven’t come across one video ad promoting homosexuality. You know YouTube uses algorithms to determine the ads to send you, right?
I agree with you in regards to algorithms. I have never had a problem with it myself. However. I watched one hour of video streams with my kids trying to understand what they are watching. They like some girl named, SnniperWolf and Tik Tak toy and Roblox, Preston and Mr Beast. The ads that started popping up are unsettling. They are clearly targeting kids.
I can’t help but think that if a teacher put a bible on their desk or a cross, star of David, or a crescent moon to make students aware of their support of their religious identity, they would be censured for promoting their religious ideology and belief system. How is this any different?
Separation of church and state (a fundamental principle in the constitution). Sexual orientation is a basic human right it is not based in religion.
it’s a good question Byron. LBGT’ isn’t a religion but it is like a cult. If you try to leave it, I’ve been told it gets ugly fast. If our focus to our kids is what is your sexual orientation…..is that not like saying…..when do you want to drive? When do you want to drink? What do you feel like doing? Sexuality is a gift everyone has been given. Just like with any gift you have to use wisdom. We need to listen to more people like Helena Kerschner’s story and how she regrets transitioning into a boy. LBGTQ is an agenda driven mission with our kids driving off a cliff. I overheard someone saying, “if they can’t abort them in the womb, they mutilate them in the world.” Life is hard. Let’s not make it harder for our kids. We have to be willing to speak the truth even at the cost of the sword. #loveistruth
Separation of church and state are not in the U.S. Constitution, in any shape, or form. There is, howerver language forbidding the government’s intrusions, and regualting the content.
Contrary to what Lobo says, the separation of Church and State is in the US Constitution, considered the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. It is recognized by the Courts and by all legal scholars.
No where in the Constitution does it say separation of church and state. That phrase came from a letter by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists telling them that our Constitution is not about the state telling the church what to do. They were concerned that the state was going to start telling the church how to do things like it is trying to do now. 50 or so years ago that phrase gotten taken out of context by a judge and has been out of context ever since.
Byron, if I may point out a fallacy to your statement, the SCOTUS, ruled that a high school coach in California was allowed to go and pray with his football team after the game at midfield. Players weren’t obligated to go, but we all know about HS pressure. If it were a prayer mat facing East to pray to Allah, would we all feel the same?
Henry lol you obviously haven’t seen the many shares of this article. This so-called professional is being labeled a pedo all over Facebook. he would have to do a lot of suing.
As for your nasty comments about me, I could probably do some suing of my own.
Beer? Welfare checks? Single wide? Single brain cell? How old r u? 10?
This guy looks like a worm.
Agent Friday, please tell me you’re not judging someone purely on how they look…
Eyes tell the story of a soul.
Theresa, you must have the eyes and looks of a saint.
I’ll say it again…”Follow the Money May-Su”. Who do you think funds “Mental Health in Schools” in Mat-Su? Who funds Critical Race Theory based “projects” in the May-Su?
Who tried to get Palmer to change the name of Colony Days because the word “colony” is racist? THE MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION! Follow the money …..look at the grants, look at the contracts….Funded by profits from Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, the Mat-Su Health Foundation is pursuing a radical left agenda. Do the research for yourself….look at the financials statements and audits at http://www.guidestar.com (you won’t find Mat-Su Health Foundation….but the legal name is Valley Hospital Association Inc.) It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out how much profit the hospital makes when you look at the foundation’s tax filings and understand they own 35% of the hospital. And you can see who they give funds to…oh…compare THAT list to the list of The Board of Directors….no surprise there…
Chris, I seem to recall asking you a couple months ago about seeing data that the Mat-Su Valley had some of the highest health care costs in the country and asking where you got that data. I never heard back from you. It’s beginning to seem that you have a personal vendetta against the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and THE MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION. What’s the beef and are you stating facts or just pandering to the crowd?
Henry, Barb is simply calling it what it is. This guy should be fired. Going from school to school, dropping off his tracts, infiltrating. He couldn’t have chosen a better career to accomplish his goals. Children are so impressionable and easily persuaded. Imagine your child having a private session with this guy.
These issues need to be addressed by parents and ONLY parents until the child is of age !!! Nobody has any right to engage in such conversations with underage children . Period !
This is extremely disgusting, irresponsible journalism. Absolutely disgusting doxxing someone.
I do have to agree with “Dot”, this seems like doxxing an individual and is very irresponsible and reprehensible. Well pointed out “Dot”.
Elementary school age children. 5-11 year olds. They need to leave our kids alone. Not too hard to understand.
You pretty much just summed up the problem, Jess. Kids like rainbows. They are grooming kids.
Share more. What is irresponsible about this especially if you have a 7 year old child under his care? Wouldn’t you want to know as a parent who is mentoring your Childs psyche?
Theresa, these children are not under his “care”, he’s not their psychologist or physician. He merely said that he would send these stickers to teachers so that the children would feel safe. Let’s be real here, for the vast majority of these children they’ll see a rainbow sticker and think “I like rainbows” and the teacher will respond, “Good, everyone is accepted under a rainbow.” This is not conversion to the dark side, folks.
I’m not discussing, I’m demanding as a tax payer , fire this pervert immediately!!! I’m am intolerant of child abuse!
You actually sound abusive yourself but okay.
This individual should be involving the parents, heavily, in these decisions, affirmations or whatever we’re calling them today. They’re elementary aged children and this should not be handled by a single person. As a staff member, I wouldn’t be comfortable with Jake telling me who and what to affirm. The request to use names or pronouns should come from the adult that’s responsible for them at home. If they aren’t OK with it, it shouldn’t be persued. These kids don’t even know if they want breakfast in the morning…how are we guiding then through life changing decisions so quickly and non chalantly.
I parent children with deep trauma. Counselors like this are a slippery slope. My daughter has a therapist who was heavily involved in the LGBTQ community and is part of Identity in Anchorage. Suddenly, my daughter is bisexual, which is fine, but further digging of this new fact led to the admission that she felt her counselor expected her to say she was bisexual, so she did. Do I care who my daughter dates? No, she’s almost 18. I can’t helicopter that. Do I feel that people who counsel those who want to belong somewhere should be careful? Yes. Some of these youth can be easily swayed because of trauma or mental health and that’s not the job of a counselor, who wants the entire world to hold their same beliefs. It may not be grooming but it’s not anything that gives me a warm feeling.
Oh for Heaven sakes. At what point do we say enough is enough. Reading Writing and Arithmetic. Elementary school? He states we better get use to it??? He better get use to parents writing emails and showing up at board meeting. Teachers, Leave them kids alone! We don’t need no thought control. No dark sarcasm in the classroom. Pink Floyd takes on a whole new meaning these days don’t it,
Great idea, Jake! I have rainbow stickers all over my office door, but it’s a good idea to offer them to staff. I know this bogus article won’t discourage you from continuing to provide safe places for students.
One more reason why I don’t send my kids to “progressive” (which really means communist), anti-American, extreme leftist indoctrination schools.
A hero.
Your kids are people, not your pets. Treating them like property will only result in them growing up to hate you. They will leave you if you do not acknowledge their humanity.