The family received a letter telling them that if their eight year
old granddaughter didn't follow the school's "biblical standards," that
she'd be refused enrollment next year. She's out and in public school
now.
WSET.com - ABC13
Sunnie Kahle has short hair and a huge heart, and as far as her
grandparents are concerned, she is a completely normal little girl.
"She cries every morning to get on the bus, she cries when she comes
home because she wants to go back to Timberlake Christian with her
friends," said Doris Thompson.
Doris and Carroll Thompson are Sunnie's grandparents. They adopted
and raised the little girl and took her out of Timberlake Christian
School when they received a letter from the school's K-8 Principal.
"You're probably aware that Timberlake Christian School is a
religious, Bible believing institution providing education in a
distinctly Christian environment," read Doris from a part of the letter.
The letter goes on to say that students have been confused about
whether Sunnie is a boy or girl and specifies that administrators can
refuse enrollment for condoning sexual immorality, practicing a
homosexual lifestyle or alternative gender identity.
The letter goes on to reference specific Bible verses that affirm these beliefs.
The letter reads in part, "We believe that unless Sunnie as well as
her family clearly understand that God has made her female and her dress
and behavior need to follow suit with her God-ordained identity, that
TCS is not the best place for her future education."
"How do you label a child, eight years old, or discriminate against
an eight year old child? It just don't happen" said Carroll Thompson.
"Sunnie says, 'I'm a girl, I know I'm a girl' and she said then you
know, you're acting like and looking, and wanting to look and act like a
boy" said Doris.
An administrator from Timberlake Christian, said the problem with
Sunnie goes "far beyond her hair length" and that the little girl is a
good student, but that "things disturbed the classroom environment."
"How do you tell a child when she wants to wear pants a shirt, and go
out and play in the mud and so forth, how do you tell her, no you
can't, you've got to wear a pink bow in your hair, and you've got to let
your hair grow out long, how do you do that? I can't do that" said
Doris.
School administrators said they have not accused Sunnie of being
anything or anyone and simply asked that her family follow the
guidelines they set forth for all students. The Thompsons say they have
no desire to re-enroll Sunnie at Timberlake Christian.
Admissions Policy
Timberlake Christian Schools admit students of any race, color or
national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and
activities generally accorded or made available to students of the
Schools. The Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or
national and ethnic origin in the administration of their educational
or admissions policies, hiring, or their scholarship, loan, or other
schools-administered programs. This statement of nondiscrimination shall
appear in all of the schools’ promotional literature.
Timberlake Christian Schools is a religious, Bible-believing
institution providing education in a distinct Christian environment, and
it believes that its biblical role is to work in conjunction with the
home to mold students to be Christ like. On those occasions in which the
atmosphere or conduct within a particular home is counter to or in
opposition to the biblical lifestyle that the school teaches, the school
reserves the right, within its sole discretion, to refuse admission of
an applicant or to discontinue enrollment of a student. This includes,
but is not necessarily limited to, living in, condoning or supporting
sexual immorality; practicing homosexual lifestyle or alternative gender
identity; promoting such practices; or otherwise having the inability
to support the moral principles of the school (Leviticus 20:13a; Romans
1:21-27; Matthew 19:4-6; I Corinthians 6:9-20).
And this memorable bit from the West Wing by way of YouTube:
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