COMMUNITY COMMENTARY -- Cheryl Apgar

I must commend Wendy Leece for her courageous stand on removing two

novels from the high school reading list. She knew how the community

would react, and still, she stood up for what she knew was best for the

students.

Putting all religion and politics aside, materials containing anything

of a sexual nature, regardless of their acclaim or literary merit, are

not appropriate for the classroom. It is not an issue of being prudish or

limiting free speech. It’s an issue of helping students focus on the

business of learning.

Even great literature can arouse human nature, but what business is

that in the classroom? Sexual feelings quickly occupy an adolescent’s

mind and don’t need any encouragement from the schools. Every day,

classrooms are dealing with students who are so preoccupied with sex that

it manifests itself in outrageous behavior, both in and out of the

classroom.

Parents in our community are exposing their children to sexually laden

media before they even enter kindergarten, all because it is “natural.”

Sure, it’s “natural,” but throughout my many years of teaching, I have

seen over and over again, it does affect student behavior. It also

affects student relationships and academic performance.

Anything that stirs a child’s sexual imagination does not belong in

the classroom, and parents would be doing their children and society a

great service if they would avoid these kinds of materials.

And trust the teachers?

Just because a teacher is employed by Newport-Mesa does not ensure

that they will have the students’ best interest in mind. Every teacher

comes to their job with their own agenda and set of values. These can’t

help but be reflected in the lessons taught to our children. Parents need

to know what’s going on in the schools and give their input as

appropriate. We need to focus on providing all students with the best

education possible.

So why not get back to the basics?

There’s an awful lot of learning that needs to be done. Let’s get on

with it. There are so many fine pieces of literature available, why have

these two become such an issue?

They are certainly available outside of the classroom for those who

care to read them.

As a postscript, I for one am very grateful to have Wendy Leece on the

school board. I may not agree with everything she says or does, but she

at least makes the public aware of what is going on. She stirs up the

pot, and that’s got to be healthy for any society.

Way to go, girl!

* CHERYL APGAR is a Costa Mesa mother, author, national trainer of

teachers, educational consultant and elementary teacher in the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District.