Parent raises concern about an eighth-grade assignment asking "What happens to me when I die?"

A Halifax parent told the Silver Lake Regional School Committee during public comment that he found an essay in his eighth-grade son's materials titled "What happens to me when I die?" and said the response — which referenced reincarnation — raised concerns about theological content appearing in an assignment without parental notice.

"It was entitled 'what happens to me when I die?'" said Joseph Height, identifying himself as a Halifax resident and the parent of a freshman. He said he was surprised his son's work explored reincarnation and that parents might not see such assignments if they are discarded or not sent home.

District staff urged Mr. Height to speak directly with the classroom teacher for details. Nicole Dennis, the district's 7'8 ELA curriculum coordinator, told the committee she had no record of a districtwide assignment of that description and said, "it's not an assignment that we give" as standard practice. Dennis and other administrators said they would follow up, noting the district will discuss its new curriculum that evening and that individual teachers design many classroom writing prompts.

Amy Courtright, vice chair, said she preferred not to discuss her religious beliefs in a public meeting but reiterated the committee's role is administrative oversight rather than day-to-day lesson planning.

The committee did not identify a formal policy change at the meeting; staff recommended that the parent first consult the teacher and that administrators follow up to clarify whether the assignment was teacher-created and how it aligns with curriculum guidance.

The committee noted it will review curriculum rollout materials in upcoming agenda items and that parents will have additional opportunities to ask questions when the district shares information about the new ELA curriculum.