Comments on: Focus Group Expresses Praise for Teachers, Frustration with Political Interference

By: Doug Landry

Doug Landry — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:04:23 +0000

You think high school kids don’t use such language in the halls of CCHS? In their text messages or IM posts? Really? Do these parents police the movies, music downloads, YouTube videos, TV shows, and other media their kids have access to through their web-capable phones and other sources as tightly as they have blasted the CCHS English Department over these two books?

By: Doug Landry

Doug Landry — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:56:59 +0000

Well said, Gonzo! It is one thing for parents to stand up to “the man” and look out for their own kids. I’ll support that all day long. It’s another thing, though, for that group to act as if they’ve been deputized to speak for me, or any other parents, or promote their sensibilities as the only true ones.

I’m glad this dialogue has started, too, because we really need to move forward. The administration should follow the procedure that’s there; that’s a basic thing, really. Parents should accept the decision of those empowered to make the decision, provided sound judgment was used. Again, that’s a basic thing.

By: Gonzo

Gonzo — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:05:49 +0000

Am I missing something? If there’s an opt-out policy in place, doesn’t that provide the opportunity for parents/students to decide not to read a particular selection?

Assuming that such a policy exists, then what exactly is the need for lobbying or petitioning the school board to have books removed from a course offering – unless the real goal is to apply their standards of approval to literature that others may wish to read?

By: Bruce Goad

Bruce Goad — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:04:54 +0000

I find it difficult to classify the Handmaid’s Tale as good literature for 16-17 year old children. Although our children are exposed to more issues and images than ever in this information age that we live in, some material is better suited to an older more mature audience. Many parents do not want their 16 and 17 year old children discussing in depth, material that has so many vulgar, obscene, and disturbing images and language. I understand that the language can be so offensive and uncomfortable, that it cannot be read out loud in a public school board meeting. Isn’t it ironic that if students repeated some of the same language in this book in our school hallways, they would get in trouble. While some may feel the book has a redeeming story that offsets the obscene language and images, many of us feel this book could do more harm than good. I believe this book crosses a line. I am not suggesting to ban the book. Leave it in the school library. But I know there are many other college level books that could have been picked, that would not have been as controversial, and still be approved by the IB program.
Overall I am happy with the job the school board, faculty, and administration do. One thing we all agree on, is we want what is best for the kids. I’m glad this discussion is being held and I hope it leads to better communication, more involvement by parents, and the best choices for the students.

By: Undisclosed parent

Undisclosed parent — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:32:01 +0000

This is fascinating to me. Our own school board cannot come up with ways to better communicate? Good school boards will work collaboratively to accomplish goals; this one is so polarized that nothing can competently be solved. It seems that they keep making committees of citizens to do their work. Tony, the book banning issue is ridiculous, I agree. Our teachers are qualified to choose materials that are on a specific list. Clarke County has a large number of IB classes; those are college level and in that case, one must be prepared to take on college level reading and issues. This is 2010- if you think kids aren’t aware of the issues brought about by The Color Purple or The Handmaid’s Tale, you are living in a vacuum. These types of reading allow kids to see solutions to problems, to realize that good will overcome evil, and to become educated on things that may be uncomfortable. That is what good literature does. Tony I hope you continue to fight for the students; I hope to see your name on the ballot next time too.

By: Jim Gibson

Jim Gibson — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:05:56 +0000

We all can get caught up in the zeal of things, and wanting to make things better. When the air get so polarized, it is sometimes hard to cut through the static.

As for the Dramatic Reading Event, your question is a good one but I don’t know that it has an easy answer. My hunch is that there are those in that demographic who would do well in it, but either don’t want to participate or aren’t encouraged to do so. Requiring someone to participate, as part of a class assignment, would get numbers up, but would they do so willingly? I don’t know.

THe other part of it is statistics. If you look at CCPS’ student population, it is 92% or so Caucasian, reflectiong the demographics of the county proper. Thus, there are not as many minority students in the schools. It will be interesting to see some great suggestions come forward.

By: Tony Parrott

Tony Parrott — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:51:43 +0000

This online paper seems to be doing a good job.
Butâ€¦ for people who want to get involved, attend a School Board meeting or better yet a sub-committee meeting. PTOâ€™s and boosters are also good ways to get involved. The problem I find is most people only talk about being involved; they never actually get involved.

By: EllenT

EllenT — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:38:53 +0000

Am frightened. After our wee,sad community paper bellied up, I have no access to CCPS news. Can’t trust the Winchester Star to do more than report movie times. So, for the the media disenfranchised, how do we keep in touch and be responsible advotes for our kids? The uninformed is uninvolved.

By: EllenT

EllenT — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:12:56 +0000

That is the wierdest thing I have ever read. You don’t like what professionals, paid by your tax money, are teaching your kids but feel like you cannot do a better job?

By: nancy martin

nancy martin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:06:25 +0000

Perhaps your daughter was trying to talk to you about stuff, brought up by literature or just be growing older. It’s a parenting moment – one in which you have the precious ear and she has yours. Listen.