Franklin Regional board, residents debate proposal termed 'stealth Buddhism' by former board member

An emotional wellness curriculum given initial approval in Franklin Regional School District was described by a former school board member as “stealth Buddhism” during a recent debate over whether the district should use it.

It’s called Mind Up, and it aims to help strengthen students’ ability to regulate emotion, focus attention and build empathy.

Founded by actress Goldie Hawn and supported by actress Kate Hudson, the curriculum is centered on social and emotional learning, according to Franklin Regional Assistant Superintendent Jennifer DiFulvio.

It is geared toward helping students to recognize and process their emotions, and ensure that teachers are able to recognize internalizing behaviors that could cause problems with a student’s education in later years.

Murrysville resident Richard Seiler questioned the district’s need for the curriculum.

“I agree with the idea that there seems to be considerable need for mental and emotional health treatment,” said Richard Seiler of Murrysville. “The question is, how great is the need at Franklin Regional? And is Mind Up the right program?”

Several people who attended the school board meeting last week were under the impression the board was voting to adopt the program wholesale. DiFulvio said that is not the case.

The board voted, 8-1, to approve development of the Mind Up curriculum. The issue will come back before the board for a followup discussion and final vote.

Board member Deb Bucciero voted no.

Superintendent Gennaro Piraino said he was pleased at the meeting’s discussion.

“Tonight, I think we got to see both sides of this in a way that is very productive,” he said. “And that’s the social and emotional ability we want to equip our students with.”

A committee to decide what the program would look like in the district will draft a proposal that will need to be approved by the school board, DiFulvio said.

Part of the program involves teaching students to take a moment and reflect or meditate on their emotions. The reference to “meditation” struck a sour chord with some speakers.

“I’d suggest FR become a pioneer and create a program that is not spiritually-based,” said parent and Murrysville Councilwoman Jamie Lingg. “I know there is grant money out there to do this.”

Former school board member Diana Altieri Hand referred to Mind Up as “stealth Buddhism.”

“There should be an opt-in policy, and if they do not want to do this, I will be happy to take them in and teach them Christian meditation on God’s word,” Hand said.

Parent Amy Sheridan said she trusted school educators to tailor the program into a tool for the community.

“We can teach kids things like setting goals, recognizing feelings, responding to challenges and resolving conflicts effectively,” she said. “These are skills critical to success both in school and in the workplace.”

“The board has the responsibility to consider not just the program itself, but the implementation methods, principles and guidelines,” Seiler said.

DiFulvio said that was the purpose of the board’s vote — that the next step in the process would be to group staff, parents and administrators to drill down into the specifics of what a Mind Up program could look like at Franklin Regional.

“Part of why I was really excited about this is the people at Mind Up were so open about getting parents involved,” she said. “We want to be very transparent about what this would look like, so it will inform our work instead of distracting from it. Parent feedback is part of that process.”

DiFulvio said that, rather than teaching any sort of Eastern religion-based meditation practice, the Mind Up curriculum teaches students about the different parts of the brain, including the parts that control emotion, reaction and the fight-or-flight instinct.

“How do we help kids move from that reacting part of the brain back to the thinking part of the brain? I have three children and they all do that in different ways,” DiFulvio said.

Lifelong Murrysville resident Aidan Spinola said he supported development of the program.

“It’s a preventative measure, not a treatment,” Spinola said. “This program isn’t a substitute for psychological treatment, as a lot of opponents have claimed. It’s the responsibility of families and schools to work together to better the mental health of every child in Murrysville.”