UPDATE: 3/25/25 4:34 PM
District Responds Swiftly, Discontinues T-Shirt Sale
Since publishing this article, I’ve received an official response from the school district (see image). I want to take a moment to commend the district for listening to families, acting quickly, and discontinuing the t-shirt fundraiser that sparked concern.
The message acknowledges the unintended harm the phrasing may have caused and confirms that, after discussion with the superintendent, the decision was made to pull the sale and notify staff.
This is what accountability looks like.
No, this never should have happened—but it did. And when a mistake is made, what matters most is how it's handled. In this case, the district responded with clarity, humility, and an apology. That’s the kind of action that shows sincerity.
As Maya Angelou said: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
It seems like that’s exactly what’s happening here—and I sincerely hope this experience leads to stronger, more inclusive conversations moving forward.
To every parent, advocate, and educator who raised their voice respectfully: thank you. Change only happens when people speak up—and listen.
Let’s keep doing both. 
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York County, PA — The Dallastown Area School District has launched a fundraiser they claim is meant to “promote positivity” for students in their special education programs. But for many parents of children with disabilities, the message is anything but positive.
The fundraiser features T-shirts and sweatshirts emblazoned with the phrase:
“Broken Crayons Still Color.”
The phrase, meant to be uplifting, has instead been met with backlash from local families who are disgusted by the implication that their children are broken.
“This is the school district that I'm supposed to send my children into. This is a fundraiser put together BY the very individuals that support our children with extra needs—things they did not ask to bring into this world—they were assigned to them,” says Nicole L., a local mom whose daughter has Down syndrome. “They are being compared to ‘broken crayons’—let me tell you something—there is NOTHING broken about my children.”
Nicole continues:
“They are human beings, and no matter what boxes they check off on your paper that tells you what they are capable of—you will never know them as a person, as a child, as a lover of books and music, an athlete, an artist, an entrepreneur, a comedian—the sky is the limit for ALL children. The special education department, the Dallastown School District, and every person who watched this come across their desk and put their stamp of approval on it should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.”
Who Approved This Message?
The email promoting the sale states that the design “was chosen by students within these programs,” as if to preempt criticism. But let’s be clear—if a student design had included a curse word, a violent image, or even an inappropriate meme, the district would never have approved it. So why was this harmful language given a green light?
“Broken crayons still color” is a phrase that has been used in mental health and trauma recovery contexts. But when used to describe students in special education—children with autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, learning disabilities, and more—it sends a message that they are damaged, lesser, or incomplete.
Whether it came from a well-meaning adult or a student, it is the responsibility of educators and administrators to protect the dignity of every child. That includes stopping harmful messaging before it gets printed on a T-shirt and sold as a fundraiser.
The Real Harm of Language
This isn’t about being politically correct. It’s about how schools talk about and to the most vulnerable students in their care.
Calling a child “broken,” even metaphorically, reinforces the idea that disability is something to be pitied or fixed. That’s not inclusion—that’s ableism wrapped in rainbow-colored crayon scribbles.
As one parent of an autistic child put it:
“My son isn’t broken. He’s brilliant. He’s kind. He’s funny. He just experiences the world differently. The fact that this messaging came from people who are supposed to be advocating for him? That’s the real heartbreak.”
Time for Accountability
Dallastown School District’s attempt to pass the blame to students shows a deeper issue: a lack of oversight, sensitivity, and understanding in how they communicate about disability.
If the adults in charge can’t see the problem with this fundraiser, how can parents trust them to support and advocate for their children in the classroom?
The fundraiser is currently live through April 6, but many parents are calling for its removal and a formal apology—not just for the words printed on the shirt, but for the mindset they reflect.
What Should Come Next?
- An immediate apology from the Dallastown Area School District and its Special Education and Student Services teams
- Removal of the shirt and sweatshirt design from the fundraiser
- Transparent accountability for the approval process
- Disability inclusion and sensitivity training for all staff involved in special education programs
- A new student-designed fundraiser campaign that celebrates neurodiversity and ability—not perceived “brokenness”
Share Your Voice
Are you a Dallastown parent or someone impacted by harmful disability messaging in schools? Email us or comment below to share your perspective.
🧠💙 Our kids aren’t broken.
They’re vibrant, whole, worthy human beings.
They don’t need fixing.
They need respect.
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