During the Whitehall-Coplay School Board meeting Jan. 22, a district parent expressed concerns about a rainbow flag in a classroom at Gockley Elementary School.

According to parent Emanuel Torres, who has a son in kindergarten, there is a pride flag in the music classroom.

The pride flag was designed in 2018 as a symbol of inclusion for the LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex) community.

Torres said he feels hanging a flag of that nature in a kindergarten classroom does not offer any educational value to his child, let alone any child that young. He said he discussed his concern with Gockley Principal Denise Saylor, who said she did discuss the matter with the teacher who hung the flag but was told it was allowed due to no policy being put in place forbidding it.

However, according to Torres’ explanation, the teacher was advised that if any student asked what the meaning of the flag was, she was only allowed to say she likes the colors of it, without going into detail on the meaning.

“It is inappropriate to be displayed due to the fact of what the flag is defined as - an expression of adult sexual identity and preference,” Torres told the board.

“The classroom is not a personal space for a teacher to do what they wish and express their personal opinions or ideas,” Torres continued. “It’s a space paid for by taxpayers to create an environment for students where they are to learn the curriculum pertaining to that class.“

Torres alleged he was told the flag was a controversial topic the district did not want to dive into.

“Are you willing to turn your back on the students, our children, to avoid controversy? Are you afraid of doing what’s right?” he asked the board.

Torres added there is no American flag displayed in the classroom, which Torres alleged is against Title 24 and Pennsylvania law.

In other business, Whitehall-Coplay Middle School teacher Sharon Gumhold shared information about a community service project called Quilts for Ella.

The idea behind the project began when a Whitehall-Coplay School District family lost a child, Ella, to neuroblastoma. A student from the middle school approached the board and read a story written by Ella’s brother about her journey with cancer and the bravery she had during that time.

As a way to honor Ella and her loved ones, a group of students and staff have set a goal to make 50 pillowcases and quilts that will be donated to Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital.