School is Starting. Parents, not the State, are the First Line of Defense.
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Opt-out tools plus TAKE ACTION: codify Colts Neck parental rights into NJ law.
A new school year is underway in New Jersey’s government schools. That means another year of Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards that introduce sexual content, gender ideology, and identity lessons far earlier than many families believe is appropriate—and often with far less notice than parents deserve.
You do not have to accept this as “just the curriculum.” Parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing and education of their children. New Jersey law already allows you to opt your child out of health, family life, and sex education that conflicts with your sincerely held moral or religious beliefs. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor strengthened the case for meaningful parental notice and accommodation when classroom material interferes with a family’s faith and values.
What you can do this week
Use our Parents Portal.
Go to the Center for Garden State Families Parents Portal: gardenstatefamilies.org/parentalrights
There you will find:
The Parental Toolkit
Sex Education Standards for NJ Government Schools
Parental Non-Consent Form on Human Sexuality
Demand transparency.
Ask your district for pacing guides, lesson plans, library lists, guest speakers, counseling materials, and any social-transition or preferred-name policies. New regulations require districts to make approved curriculum materials more publicly available. Use that. If they stall, put the request in writing and follow up.
Watch for secrecy, not just classroom lessons.
Some districts have treated social transition—new names, pronouns, and facilities use—as something that can be hidden from fit parents. That is not “privacy.” It is exclusion of the people’s, God’s, and the Constitution’s place first in a child’s life. Ask, in writing, whether the school will notify you of any change in how staff address or treat your child regarding sex or gender.
Stay present.
Log into your district parent portal (often Genesis). Review assignments and communications. Attend board meetings. Speak calmly and specifically. One informed parent who documents requests is harder to ignore than a dozen silent ones.
Take action: Make the Colts Neck Parental Rights Policy statewide law
Colts Neck Township Schools adopted a Parental Bill of Rights that should be the standard in every New Jersey district—not a local exception. The policy affirms that parents are the primary decision-makers in their children’s education, health, and personal development. It includes:
Access to student records, including changes in pronouns, preferred names, and use of bathrooms and locker rooms
The right to consent to—or decline—school-based mental or physical health services, including counseling groups and mentoring
The right to opt children out of health and sex education
The right to opt children out of lessons that contradict family values or religious beliefs
The right to safe schools and clear information about safety policies
Protection of children’s personal information from intrusive surveys and third-party software
A local board did this. Trenton has not. New Jersey still needs this policy codified in statute—and a constitutional amendment so parental authority is not left to the next school-board election or the next set of DOE guidance.
Tell the Governor and the Legislature: pass a statewide parental rights law modeled on Colts Neck.
TAKE ACTION:https://www.votervoice.net/CGSF/campaigns/131756/respond
Share the alert with other parents. Local victories only last if they become state law.
The Center for Garden State Families exists to protect faith, freedom, and the natural family—one man, one woman, and their children. Schools are not a second parent. Counselors are not a substitute for you. Curriculum is not beyond your review.
If your district refuses a lawful opt-out, withholds materials, or keeps you in the dark about your own child, contact us at info@gardenstatefamilies.org or 973-658-4310.
For Faith. For Family. For Freedom.
Gregory Quinlan
Founder & President
Center for Garden State Families
Thank you to everyone who has given. We still need your help!
Every summer is hard for nonprofits, and we’re feeling it too. This year is even tighter than usual. We know money is tight for a lot of families right now.
Still, we’re asking you to consider a one-time gift of $20 or more to the Center for Garden State Families. If you’re able, making that a monthly donation would help us even more.
Your support keeps us in the fight for parents and kids in New Jersey.
Thank you for standing with us.
Rev. Gregory Quinlan