Reply #15: A followup

[markus]

I got a call back from the assistant superintendent for H.R. She hadn't seen the newsletter, but quickly pushed a reprimand as a solution if it was found to be inappropriate.

I stresses that 1) I didn't want my name on any internal action, if it would mean exposing my daughter to any retaliation from the principal, supportive staff or students; and, 2) that a public apology/retraction in the newsletter would be a more appropriate response.

I think there is a pattern of behavoir hear. There was a church-sponsored "values" rap group that appeared at her school (and others in the area). While they avoided direct mention of religion, they did invite everyone to an explicitly religious event off-campus.

Also, my daughter brought home a Gideon's bible from school last year, which was being handed out on the sidewalk outside the door of this school. This is not a public sidewalk. It is on the interior of a parking lot at least 50 feet from a public sidewalk.

The vice-superitendent insists that they've tried to remove the Gideons, but that they legally can't. I can't imagine that any solicitation could take place that far inside of school property without some approval. If she is correct, then just about anybody could stand 50 feet inside school property and solicit thee kids. And that's just wrong.

She's promised to send information about their problem with the Gideons, assured me that there would not be a repeat of the Seven Project (rap group) event if there was even a hint of religious message or prosletization, and that she would promptly look into the newsletter.

So far, it looks like this can be pursued without exposing my daughere to any risk. If they decline to require some public apology by the principal, then I have other avenues. As a former journalist and press secretary, I think just getting the newsletter into the hands of the reports who covered the rap group project (which got a lot of local press) will suffice to get the ball rolling. I am pretty sure I can do that without getting my daughter's or my own name in the paper.