Winnacunnet Parents Outraged At High School Paper's "Sex Edition"

[DeSwiss]

SOURCE: Portsmouth Herald

Parents Protest H.S. Sex Newspaper

Fri Mar 30, 4:34 PM ET



HAMPTON, N.H. - Some parents are protesting the "sex" edition of the student newspaper at Winnacunnet High School. Several said they were especially offended by a photograph of two women kissing under the headline, "Why men love women who love women," a quiz question about anal sex, and an interview with an unnamed custodian who said he had found a vibrator in the girls' shower.

"Those articles offended me personally as a parent," said Venus Merrill, a school board member. "It's not something you want to read with your 10-year-old and it's not something that should be going home."

Principal Randy Zito said the Winnachronicle had crossed the line of responsible reporting and that he had dealt with the problem privately. He also said he had pulled copies of the paper that normally would have been sent to middle schools in the cooperative school district.

The newspaper's faculty adviser defended the editors' decisions and said the February edition of the paper was intended to inform students, not shock people — although they knew it would stir controversy.

"The kids wrote the articles and came up with the topic," said adviser Carol Downer. "They didn't go out to cause controversy, but the Winnachronicle is also not a P.R. piece for the high school. This is a place for students to express their view and talk about issues that are troubling the student body."

The newspaper is not reviewed in advance of publication by administrators. The school board has not discussed the controversy in a public meeting, but parent Paula Wood, of Seabrook, said she wants it on the agenda for the next one.

Zito told her it would have to be discussed in a closed session because it might involve personnel issues, but Wood said she asked the superintendent to hold a public meeting.

"I don't want to discuss personnel," Wood said. "I want to discuss the paper. "I thought it was a vile, disgusting piece of pornography I wouldn't want to be in front of children, let alone paid for by taxpayers."

Wood said she and her children, two boys, discuss sex openly, "but not in a disgusting manner."

more: http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/special/032907special8.htm

Download (PDF) H.S. Newspaper:
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/special/whs_sex_page2.pdf
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/special/whs_sex_page3.pdf
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/special/whs_sex_page4.pdf
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/special/whs_sex_page5.pdf

*** - "Wood said she and her children, two boys, discuss sex openly, "but not in a disgusting manner."

Just playing the devil's advocate here, but if you're a parent and you're discussing sex openly with your kids, isn't it always disgusting? I know it was for me. I kept visualizing my parents having sex. Ewwww......

[w4rma]

1. right-wingers imposing more censorship: "not reviewed in advance … she wants it on the agenda" (nt)

[newscott]

2. My senior year of high school something similar happened.

The staff of the student newspaper got approval for the April 1, edition. When they sent it off to the printer they switched it with a joke version. Lots of raunch and silly jokes and photos. The school authorities were not pleased. The high schoolers were in stitches.

[PSPS]

3. It looks like they've got a more fundamental problem

Frankly, I'd be more worried that "sex in a pool, hot tub, ocean, shower, ect." got into print. Where's the damn English teacher?

[Freaks1932]

4. 10 year olds?

Well I sure hope she wouldn't be reading such things with a 10 year old but for people in highschool these are things that should be known. Although, I do feel it would be better explained in a health class and not in a newspaper. Also, my family and I were always fairly open about sex. I can have a discussion with my father about fetishes and my great-grandmother/grandparents told me about their sex lives before. I admit some of the things you hear can be a bit disturbing but for the most part I'm happy that I can sit down and share things like this with my family.

[pipoman]

5. Apparently it is distributed to middle schoolers

"He also said he had pulled copies of the paper that normally would have been sent to middle schools in the cooperative school district."

This is the only problem I have with it.

It does seem more a matter of community standards (especially where minor students and public funding are involved) though and I don't know anything about this community.

[Tetsuo_the_great]

6. hmm

I never understand the logic of protecting minors from the work of...wait for it...other minors. I have always found it assinine and bizarre. even in middle school i heard worse stuff from fellow students than what was printed.

[Elspeth]

7. Lots of middle school kids are already sexually active in some way

The paper is a good idea as long as the information is accurate. I don't like the fact that the two women kissing weren't about lesbian life but about guys getting off on girls kissing. That sends the wrong message.