sub shows Brokeback Mtn to 8th graders

[Ang50]

for me if i was a juror it would come down to if they have a policy and if they enforce it. the man in the article says he has complained 2 years ago because a book contained profanity. the child would have been 10 then. at the same time the teacher closed the door and said what happens here stays here. to me that implies it was a rouge teacher. the school should not invite her back and that would be the end of it. if i was to find the school knew what she was doing because she had to request a dvd player or something i could see making them pay something. just enough to make sure they follow the policy in the future. but 400k ... nope.

Yes, the school probably has a policy, and the teacher probably violated it. But the question is how did the district respond? A slap on the wrist, or fired her? I'd be looking for a specific outcome from the district.

 

[Ang50]

Long version:
Well, I say that being long winded is a sign of intelligence, and not something that one should seek to avoid, but to enjoy and be proud of. So what if it takes us so many more words to say what it is that we want to say, as long as we're posting and being part of the discussion, right?

The short version:
Eh. So what?



I crack myself up, I really do

Exactly!! I don't have that many posts here, but it's only b/c I have to write a book when I respond. If I would break up my responses, I'd have double the posts!!

 

[Nova]

I don't think you're defending the sub. I might take issue w/ eagerness to litigate - depending on the situation. Suing the school district might be the best way to get results when you've tried and failed with other methods. Especially if you think that you're trying to protect your child....

My long point being - sometimes you're suing to make change, not to get money. Suing for money as a primary motivation is wrong. Suing because an agency is pushing you around and doing you wrong is one reason our court system exists.

Understood, Ang. I believe some posters here have had to sue school districts (or at least threaten to sue) to get the proper instruction for their children. That is something very different.

But in this case, claiming actual injury is just silly.

 

[Nova]

Again - the message is impt. Sex w/o consequences - who ever gets pregnant or an STD on Real World? Who ever gets raped after drinking? I guess that this season some people got drunk and would have preferred not to have sex with the people they did - but we don't see the total heartbreak or self-esteem when the person doesn't call.

I only watched one season: Real World Hawaii. And that was only because one of the contestants/guests/whatever you call them was a former student of mine. But another girl that year got alcohol poisoning and was rushed to the ER; they later sent her to rehab, I believe. So there were consequences. Sort of. I haven't watched it since.

 

[Ang50]

Understood, Ang. I believe some posters here have had to sue school districts (or at least threaten to sue) to get the proper instruction for their children. That is something very different.

But in this case, claiming actual injury is just silly.

Totally agreed. Just FYI - I don't know how the 400K is broken out, but injury probably only accounts for 30K or so, the other 370 would likely be punitive damages...

And they'll likely settle, and they'll likely get atty's fees and a couple grand.

 

[Ang50]

I only watched one season: Real World Hawaii. And that was only because one of the contestants/guests/whatever you call them was a former student of mine. But another girl that year got alcohol poisoning and was rushed to the ER; they later sent her to rehab, I believe. So there were consequences. Sort of. I haven't watched it since.

I condemn it, but then I watch it (by myself - not w/ 4 year old) because I do find it entertaining... I'm a law student, so my eyes and brain get tired... it's nice to have TV...

Mostly I watch Food Network or Bravo Top ___. Or else VH1 shows.... again - all after daughter is in bed.

 

[philamena]

To me, it's the R-rating, regardless of content. You just don't decide to let someone else's kids watch an R-rated without their permission.

We rarely watched much TV at all when my kids were growing up. Heck, we hardly watch it now. (But I let them read whatever they wanted to.) The only two things that were absolutely off limits were MTV and that fake wrestling. I just always felt (and still do) that so much of what was on TV was garbage, and told them so.

Was never much of an issue at our house...

Yes, that's how I feel about this issue too. No one, except the parents has the right to decide if underaged children should watch a R rated movie. It's just wrong.

 

[txsvicki]

Agreed - we couldn't watch MTV - and it was tamer in the late 80's, because it didn't have all this reality stuff. We couldn't watch Married w/ Children b/c my mom didn't like how the hubby treated his family, and Roseanne b/c of how the whole family talked to each other. I think the Simpsons were off limits...

I remember in 4th grade other kids knew about Saturday Night Live - I didn't even know what it was. However we did watch the evening news with dinner most nights... My parents sent us out of the room during sex scenes in movies - which I was annoyed by as I got older, then appreciated it b/c it was SO uncomfortable to watch that stuff with your parents.... gross...

I wouldn't let my girls watch Full House because those little girls on the show were always lying to their dad and uncles and getting away with it with no punishment. I don't want schools talking to my kids about gayness, straightness, etc. Just teach them what they need to pass to the next class, get thru those stupid TAKS test, give them the help they need, and stay out of my business and kids' lives. Respect for all, sex ed about pregnancy and std's, biology, health, etc. is fine as long as it doesn't include anyone's personal opinions. I'm hoping that they really are bringing Bible studies back to Texas because all mine will be in that class at any opportunity.

 

[Details]

I hope they don't settle. The sub was completely in the wrong, showing an R rated movie without parental permission (and without any real educational value - unless you want to say that being gay leads to misery), and should be fired. But that's not the school districts policy - it was a rogue sub. And no way it was that horribly damaging


While he's right here, I get a strong scent of an oversensitive, overly close-minded type about the grandfather - wonder what book he objected to before...

 

[Cypros]

What amazes me is that our 4th graders went on a field trip and they showed G rated movies b/c they didn't want to go through the hassle of getting PG movies approved by all of the parents!

:laugh: They had to sit through Finding Nemo and Son of Flubber on the bus.

Can you imagine how lame they thought that was? PG-13 isn't allowed in the school at all. R? Fuggedaboudit.

I am trying to figure out why Finding Nemo isn't perfectly appropriate for 4th graders. :waitasec: That film was made to entertain children of ALL ages (including adults). If 4th graders think they are too old for G-rated movies then something really is wrong in this world. That is the only rating that should be allowed in elementary school. It is rated PG-13 for a reason.

 

[Peter Hamilton]

Agree--Finding Nemo and Son Of Flubber should be perfect for fourth graders--Why anyone would believe otherwise is beyond me

 

[Ang50]

Finding Nemo, etc. should be the school's choice to show... G rated movies is a good choice...

BUT - for kids these days - Finding Nemo is the movie their 3 year old sibling watches... so it's not cool... and 4th graders definitely want to be cool. That's what the poster was saying, I think...

 

[Ang50]

I wouldn't let my girls watch Full House because those little girls on the show were always lying to their dad and uncles and getting away with it with no punishment. I don't want schools talking to my kids about gayness, straightness, etc. Just teach them what they need to pass to the next class, get thru those stupid TAKS test, give them the help they need, and stay out of my business and kids' lives. Respect for all, sex ed about pregnancy and std's, biology, health, etc. is fine as long as it doesn't include anyone's personal opinions. I'm hoping that they really are bringing Bible studies back to Texas because all mine will be in that class at any opportunity.

:clap::clap::clap: I agree - I don't know what some teacher's views and opinions are about homosexuality and I don't know what he or she would say about it, so I don't want them discussing it. Plus, any teacher would have to know that if they broached the subject in 8th grade - they'd likely have angry religious parents on one side, and screaming liberals (myself) on the other... Now in high school, with mature students and in the right context (i.e. a book) would be different...

I'm curious about Bible studies - would you be concerned about how that's taught to your child? Do you think a teacher can be neutral in the teaching?

I studied the Bible in a Comparative Literature class and it was amazing. From a historical perspective, it's incredible. I would encourage my child to take a class where this is taught from a history perspective. Even if we were religious, though, I don't know that I'd want a public school teacher doing Bible Studies...

 

[angelmom]

I am trying to figure out why Finding Nemo isn't perfectly appropriate for 4th graders. :waitasec: That film was made to entertain children of ALL ages (including adults). If 4th graders think they are too old for G-rated movies then something really is wrong in this world. That is the only rating that should be allowed in elementary school. It is rated PG-13 for a reason.

Agree--Finding Nemo and Son Of Flubber should be perfect for fourth graders--Why anyone would believe otherwise is beyond me

Finding Nemo, etc. should be the school's choice to show... G rated movies is a good choice...

BUT - for kids these days - Finding Nemo is the movie their 3 year old sibling watches... so it's not cool... and 4th graders definitely want to be cool. That's what the poster was saying, I think...

ITA with all of the above (which were in response to my post about the G-rated movies on the field trip bus). But, you are exactly right, Ang, that it was way uncool for the 10yos. Many of their parents ARE letting them watch PG13, unfortunately. My poor child has the meanest mommie!!!

Even my 6yo is totally over Nemo. Not so much b/c of her age but b/c of how many times she has already watched it.

 

[Nova]

Totally agreed. Just FYI - I don't know how the 400K is broken out, but injury probably only accounts for 30K or so, the other 370 would likely be punitive damages...

And they'll likely settle, and they'll likely get atty's fees and a couple grand.

Good point. And I do understand you have to claim damages or there's no lawsuit.

 

[A.Wood]

I remember when I was in 10th grade we were going to watch Schindler's List. We had to take a permission slip and have it signed. If it was not signed than we would not be allowed to sit in class and watch it. Brokeback Mountain isnt a movie that has any benefits. Why would a teacher or sub think 8th graders would want to watch a movie like this and think its cool? What in the world was this person thinking??!!

 

[Nova]

I don't agree that Brokeback Mountain as "no benefits." It's a very good movie.

But I don't see the benefits to 8th graders.

 

[sweetnsonny]

I have a daughter in 9th grade. I had to sign a permission slip for her to read a certain book for English. I read the first chapter and signed the slip. I recorded Broke Back Mountain a few weeks ago when it was on HBO. I still haven't gotten up the nerve to watch it though. (?)

 

[southcitymom]

I don't agree that Brokeback Mountain as "no benefits." It's a very good movie.

But I don't see the benefits to 8th graders.

Brokeback Mountain is one of the best movies I have ever seen, but I too would not show it to a class of 8th graders.

 

[southcitymom]

I have a daughter in 9th grade. I had to sign a permission slip for her to read a certain book for English. I read the first chapter and signed the slip. I recorded Broke Back Mountain a few weeks ago when it was on HBO. I still haven't gotten up the nerve to watch it though. (?)

Welcome, sweetnsonny,

What was the book?