Some parents at Maple Grove Middle School raise concerns about anti-bullying assembly

MAPLETON — Some parents of students at Maple Grove Middle School are voicing concerns over an anti-bullying assembly that took place at the school last week.

The concerns were raised after the parents say they researched the presenting dance group, Icon Dance Team, only to find that it is connected to past controversies involving personal social media accounts that posted adult-oriented content.

Cari Bartholomew, who runs the Facebook page Nebo Parents United, told KSL that a group of 30 parents voiced their concerns about the assembly — many of them coming to her asking what they could do.

"It took us less than five minutes to find the information was true," Bartholomew said.

She said it took very little time to find photos posted by one of the group members on a personal social media account. Bartholomew said she and other parents are concerned and believe the school district has a responsibility to do a "deep dive" into whomever it invites to present to children.

"If we can find the information on the group in less that five minutes, and we're just a group of moms, then somebody who works for this school should be able to do a better job of vetting," Bartholomew said.

This isn't the first time parents have complained about this anti-bullying group. In fact, in October, the group spurred controversy at an elementary school in Ohio when it conducted a similar assembly to the one at Maple Grove. At the time, the group went by the name Echo Dance Team, and some parents expressed similar concerns to those of Nebo Parents United.

"These kids are not seeing a naked man on stage," Bartholomew made sure to clarify. "I believe the show itself was clean. But what has been reported from these parents is that they are concerned about what their kids will find and that the school district didn't notify them of the assembly."

Nebo School District spokesperson Seth Sorensen said in a statement that it has actively worked with parents to address concerns. He also said that while the content at the assembly was an "age-appropriate, anti-bullying massage," he acknowledged that the district's values do not align with content on some members of the dance team's private social media, adding that such content is not condoned by the district.

"The event, led by Icon Dance Team, delivered an energetic and age-appropriate message focused on anti-bullying and school unity," the statement said. "Following the event, it was brought to our attention that the group recently performed under the name Echo Dance Team. We recognize that while their school-based presentations are centered on positive messaging, the group has been associated with past controversy in other locations due to private social media profiles."

Sorensen added that the school district is "committed to a more in-depth vetting process for outside groups."

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