Litchfield superintendent apologizes for 'inappropriate' stories

YOUR COMMENTS

I took a look at these short stories and though the subject matter didn't bother me, I was shocked these stories were being used in schools at all.

Read just the first page of The Crack Cocaine Diet. It has many grammatical errors, run-on sentences, and it is WELL BELOW grade level for this age group. It is not quality literature at all. It actually has an EIGHTH grade readability!

Again, I don't believe this is about the topics at hand, but the quality of GOOD WRITING that our students are reading. Maybe we HAVE 'dummed' our children down. I think we should give them more credit. They can handle much more.

All of you 'opposers' to removing this literature should really take a look at the writing and decide if this community should include better literature, perhaps award-winning short stories, stories that INSPIRE...
- ann, litchfield, nh

This is very simple. If you parents, Jo-Ann can't handle what our public school system is teaching (as an ELECTIVE meaning the child does NOT have to take the class) then pull your kids from the system, and home-school them. If you can do a better job than one of the finest teachers CHS and any other school has had, then so be it. Your child will suffer a lack of social skills as well as a lack of reality.

Removing this course takes away the completely appropriate opportunity for other students to be exposed to the realities of the world we live in.

I had said teacher for 3 years at CHS. Not once did she promote the use of drugs, sex, violence, or anything inappropriate. She presented her students with reading material that promoted thought and conversation.

How do you feel about Shakespeare? Should we start pulling his literature off the curriculum too? I loved the comment about banning the bible. Sex, drugs, violence, torture, murder....its all in there!

YOU, and people like you are what is wrong with the world...it is because of you that hatred and violence are being spread. It is because of you that when these students grow up to have children that they will have more crap to deal with. Tolerance begins with an individual, and if you continue to try and keep your children from being exposed to the realities of the world while they are away from you; well then I am sorry for them that you are their mother. They will only suffer and your grandchildren will suffer just the same. They will never be an integral part of society because YOU have not given them EVERY opportunity that is available.
- Craig, Litchfield

As a senior at Campbell High School, I am shocked and ashamed to watch my community argue over such an absolutely rediculous controversy. This is not an issue about innapropriate material, this is an issue about a small town's bigotry and intolerance towards things they do not understand. Parents, excuse me, but get real - I guarantee that the books listed on the English curriculuum at ANY high school would not meet your standards. Keep the stories in the class, and keep classic literature what it is meant to be - a knowledgeable and enjoyable experience.
- Becca Howard, Litchfield

Mrs. Rielly is and always has been an outstanding teacher and mentor for students. Society is changing because people are changing. Not everyone is the same, children cannot be sheltered from life. Let them live and learn what they chose to accept or not to accept. This is completely absurd and ignorant to say the least. I'm embarrassed to say I live in such a town.
- L., Litchfield, NH

Jo-Ann-

Just to update you from around the early early 1900s: There is such a thing as the separation of church and state. While you may deem it necessary for children to learn "holiness and godliness," well they are not going to learn that in public school. If you want them to learn religion send your own children to church like a "good" parent would do, or pay to have them sent to Catholic school because not every child shares the same religion. So develop some respect for others and dig yourself out of the ultra-conservative hole you have surrounded yourself with.

When I become a parent, I aspire to teach my children alternative lifestyles and not to shelter them from the real world. Jo-Ann, your world has died. SO WAKE UP. We are in a whole new century of acceptance and tolerance. Not bigotry and discrimination.

This town is a down-right disgrace and deserves to be recognized as such. I'm over the ignorance that has continued to exist in this small town and its ridiculous politics.
- K, Litchfield

OK, so basically, these parents want their children to avoid homosexuality and drug use during high school. Well, I have one question for these parents; Do you plan on sending your children to college? Because, believe it or not, there are homosexual people that attend college. And, (oh gee!), should I even mention that there are drug addicts as well? The point of reading these books is to make your children less ignorant about what actually goes on in the real world outside of conservative, lovely Litchfield. If you don't want your kids reading these books, the course isn't mandatory. But, I, much like many other students, am very interested in learning about other groups of people and life outside of high school in general. So thank you, ignorant and stubborn parents, for depriving me of a course that is not only very educational, but one that will also prepare me for the rest of my life.
- John, Litchfield

Ask yourself if trying to force the school system to thump me over the head with the values you deem proper, where you are basing those value from. I believe they stem from the one book in print that is riddled with murder, homosexuality, devil worshiping and the torture of the most beloved man in print, along with a full listing of all depravity cited in various stories that go back as far as BC. Do you read to your children from that book… I believe you do.
- Art, Litchfield

You say that these books were banned because they were inappropriate for the high school English classes. While were at it why don’t we ban the one book in print that is riddled with murder, drug addiction, rape, homosexuality, and the torture of the most beloved man while a crowd cheers. Let’s ban The Bible next… I believe they have gone too far this time.
- Arri, Litchfield

Jo-Ann,

"the corrupt society that we live in is now "pushing" it's beliefs at us..."

Maybe you should stop trying to shove religion down our throats before you complain about us "pushing" our beliefs...

The hole in the sand called; it wants your head back.
- Nick, Litchfield

Kudos to the youth of Litchfield! I am very proud of you for speaking your minds...Campbell must be doing SOMETHING right! Keep fighting, you have wonderful teachers backing you up. As a Litchfield parent of a CHS student, I am saddened that there are not more comments on this by other parents like ME! We are not all hypocritical closed minded fools.
- S, Litchfield

I hope the adminstration thought long and hard before pulling these books. As both a graduate from Campbell high school and a State University in the area of the English Literature, the exposure of such critical and contemporary issues provokes analysis, a skill that is necessary for admission into higher level education and is furthered once one attends such an institution through the use of similar literature (if not worse). Parents should accept the fact that young adults know far more than they are comfortable with and will continue to further their knowledge and understanding of such issues in all forms of education. If you feel the need to censor your children from these stories, you might as well unplug the TV and the radio. These issues are everywhere, and its the duty of our education systems to make the students aware and understanding.
- Anonymous - Wake up and smell the coffee, Litchfield

sorry for spamming but i have just one more thing to say.
"As Johnson quoted from the short story "The Crack Cocaine Diet," there were gasps from the assembled parents and, at times, from members of the school board." who, if they had read the story would realise that mrs. johnson was only quoting certain lines that avow drug use, but left out the part where the consequences of said drug use were brought to bear
- john, litchfield

I just want to say I just graduated from Campbell a couple of weeks ago and I did not learn about homosexuality, rape or drugs for the first time in short story. I knew about them a long time before that class. A question that has been on my mind is do you people honestly think that by reading these stories it is promoting any of those things? Its not like we read the crack cocaine diet and then we all go out a snort a line of cocaine. In no way shape or form does the teacher condone rape or drugs. Why don't you pull your child out of health class too, where drugs and sex are gone over in detail? I also find it humorous that all of these 'concerned' parents and 'horrified' by what there children are reading in school. If you were such 'concerned' parents you would have known about such reading material before one overbearing parent made a huge ordeal out of it. If you had read the course selection book like a 'concerned parent' would your child wouldn't have been in the class and we wouldn't be having all these problems.
- Josh, Litchfield

in order for a student to take this class, a parent has to sign a form. and at least when i took this class, at the beginning of the semester a form was sent home to parents stating that there was explicit material. mrs. johnson's child had the stories then a parent or guardian signed both forms. oh and mrs. johnson why are you snooping through your childs backpack? how about giving your kid some privacy
- john, litchfield

I believe that the parents of litchfield need to relax. I truly think that you don't know your kids that well, because I bet more than half of the students at Campbell are doing some of those things that they are learning about in those books. When I was in high school drugs were done in the bathroom and sex, abortion, and pregnancy were all happening. Maybe reading about this topics in books and in school will help educate kids, and give them a safe environment to talk about them in. I think parents relationships with their children are fake because parents don't know the truth of what their children do everyday.
- E, nashua

are we trying to teach these kids or keep them in the dark? learning about drugs and homosexuality isnt going to make kids more succeptable to doing drugs, and it certainly isnt going to turn them gay. in fact taking this class taught me a lot about life in general.
- john, litchfield

why is everyone is complaining about what they are taught in health...they just dont mentioned in extreme detail like that book.....all of you tht are trying to shlter your kids from hearing that kiinda stuff shouldnt be parents they need to hear what life is all about
- kayleigh, litchfield

To Jo-Ann:

Unfortunately, this issue is not just about education. If your idealized concept of the world existed, I'd probably be dead, murdered from people who don't understand and don't accept homosexuality. It's a sad thing to think about, and while it's all well and good that parents and people who have nothing to do with it can ignore or bash it, for some people, homosexuality is a part of everyday life. It's an aspect of identity as inherent as gender.
- Sean, Litchfield

I almost want to say to these parents “Welcome to 1993!” This agenda of dumbing down what is morally, socially and reasonably acceptable for children to be exposed to in the classroom has been going on for years. Where have you been?

The description here of some of these books is horrifying. The “crack cocaine diet” seems to be extremely destructive to young minds who often can’t determine right from wrong (and kids today are, in fact, taught that right and wrong are whatever they say it is, which sets them up for disastrous experiences.)

The idea that schools, parents and communities can have NO standards of decency or behavior - as some libertarian/libertine types argue EVERY TIME when cases like this come up - has no historical basis in our culture.

There is no slippery slope here, either. This isn’t about restricting students’ exposure to other ideas or other cultures. No society in the world glorifies children smoking crack to lose weight, or murdering to obtain more crack. This is cultural toxic waste. Clean it up.
- Stephen A., Manchester

Jo-Ann

Actually, when I am a parent I will have absolutely no problem whatsoever about exposing my child to homosexuality because there is nothing "ungodly" about it. And as far as you saying that we should teach "Godliness" why is it any more important to teach about that rather than these topics? Do you consider that maybe not everyone at Campbell High School believes in God? I'm Catholic, but oddly enough my religion and my belief in God has little to do with my school work. Do we learn about religion in school? Of course we do and guess why, it's so we can be ACCEPTING of all kinds of people. And guess what else? By the time you are the parent of a high school student, what you want to teach them and what they want to learn is going to differ and you're right about one thing: You CAN'T shelter them from everything and they WILL learn what they really want to. And yeah society might be "pushing" you to accept things but that's because we're trying to become the country we originally promised we'd be where ALL people are created equal and treated like equals. People who are gay, do drugs, have had abortions, they're no less human than the rest of us. It's "us" and "we" not "us" and "them". Oh and what's really silly is that right now you're doing the Jesus thing and trying to validate you're beliefs based on religion...I might say that you're doing the same thing right now as far as "pushing" your beliefs on other people. You really DON'T have a say anymore because we are young adults and WE are the future. You might as well accept it now because in 15 years WE will be the taxpayers and you'll just have to deal with it. And as far as your "respecting authority" garbage, We're teenagers, what more do you expect from us? Young adults have been denying authority and conformity since the sixties, what makes you think it'll stop now?

I'm so tired of dealing with ignorant people. It's getting pretty old.
- Abigail Q, Litchfield

Comments from Kayla, and the other students from Litchfield who claim to be mature enough to know .... Do you ????
Let us ask you this in a couple of years from now when you have children of your own.. To all of the opposing people who want to tell the concerned parents... What world do you live on?... we are fully aware that this stuff is going on in this world, We don't think that it has to be a part of the classroom reading program.. Shelter???? that is getting to be more and more difficult, as the corrupt society that we live in is now "pushing" it's beliefs at us... We can not be the parents anymore, we do not have a say in what we feel is the right things to teach... Morals, Godliness, Respect for Authority, Honor... Just think... one day the shoe will be on the other foot, you'll be the parents, and if this present state of the world continues in this spiritual decline and degradation, ( GOD ) only knows what there will be out there that you'll have to " Protect" your precious children from.. There is nothing to teach in the tolerance end... if that is the case, why is there no equal time for God and right living ??
- Jo-Ann, Litchfield

I don't quite understand what parents think they are doing by pulling these books. From what I've read the problems lay in the following themes: Homosexuality, Drug Use, Rape, Abortion.

As for Homosexuality, I sincerely hope you aren't letting your teens watch TV or read the papers, since NH's recent step forward with Gay Rights is all over the place. This is separation church and state at it's finest... not

Drug Use is another interesting topic. I have watched kids graduate DARE in the Campbell auditorium. Obviously your teens know about drugs.

Rape is another interesting topic. I recall reading "Day No Pigs Would Die" at Campbell, which easily has a full chapter of a forced mating between two pigs. Different species, same information. Want the human equivalent? Read "Johnny Got His Gun" if you didn't already at LMS.

Abortion is another issue I'm interested to see in this list. From what I understand, the book isn't being pulled because it has a graphic abortion scene, but because Abortion is DISCUSSED! Better pull your teens from health class, too.

I'm curious as to what parents are trying to achieve by banning these books. From what I've seen, it's only inspired more to read them.
- Bonnie, Litchfield, NH

I have to saw that this topic really upset me. These works of art are all really good books and tell real life stories. Stories that can happen to anyone at anytime. Banning the books will make anyone who has had an abortion, are homo sexual, or who have been raped feel worse then they already do, or feel like they can not exist in a normal society. You do not know the backround story behind the choices that people have made, or what happened to them that they couldnt controll, there for you do not have the authority to judge them. I understand that litchfield is a small town and the crime rate isn't that high, but what is going to happen if you protect your child and they don't know how to be safe. If you don't tell them how are they not going to know to no leave a cup unattended because of the risk that a date rape drug could be in it. This is the real world. I doubt that half of these kids are going to stay in Litchfield for their whole lives and they need to learn about reality somehow.
- Jessie, Merrimack

there is a meeting at Campbell high school at 7pm, go and support this literature that should not be taken out of the curriculum
- Bobby Cautela, Litchfield

Campbell high school has gone too far. I am a former student at CHS, and I for one am outraged by the changes that occurred in this school in the time since I have graduated.

I understand that New Hampshire is a conservative state, and that is where most parents are coming from in their argument. However, your children are going to school so they can be taught about things outside of what they've been brought up to believe.

We live in an age of "acceptance," so I've been told, but it is fairly clear that the parents at Litchfield Campbell High School are too ignorant to accept other people.

If we are to ban books speaking in regards to abortion, homosexuality, and drug use, then we should also expel students who are homosexuals, who have had abortions, and who abuse drugs, shouldn't we? After all, you would not want your young adult exposed to reality, would you?
- Dan, Litchfield

I've taken short story and there is no reason that these stories cannot be read it high school. These stories deal with real life issues and I am disgusted that parents would want their children to grow up blind to real issues. It is so sad to me that people are still so naive and ignorant in 2009. The world is changing and you have to accept it and change with it. I really think it is disgraceful that we have a representative that is so ignorant and blatantly states opinions about gay people. You have a job and you need to keep your biased opinions to yourself. If you want to censor your children's mind send them to private school.
- Jaimie, litchfield

Okay, I understand "not my kid" but it seems ridiculous to say "not your kid."

By eliminating this from an "elective" course, these parents are saying "not your kid" to other parents. If you don't want your soon to be adult to read this material don't let them take this class. But, taking it out of the curriculum is extremely close minded and shows that this is not even really about your own kids, but you pushing an agenda on the rest of society.
- Jay, Burlington, VT

As a person that graduated from Campbell and took the Short Story class, I'm shocked that parents actually think these short stories contain material that the students have never encountered before. I know Litchfield is a small town, people certainly don't "get out" as much. However, issues like homesexuality, rape, etc. are everywhere in the media, and trust me, every student at Campbell HS is aware.

I honestly don't understand how parents think they can "protect" their children from issues by preventing them to be taught. It's hurting them more than helping them.
- AM, Litchfield

I can see from most of these posts that parents actually do want the schools to raise their kids and maybe try to teach them a little math and science in their spare time.
Kids are out of control and it is the schools responsibility to change their behaviors and viewpoints?
This is great that taxpayers are paying for glorified babysitters for all these kids. Why don't we have two different schools, one to babysit and one to teach academics. This way every parents can get what they want and expect from the public school system.
- k, hillsboro

"My children are being forced to accept homosexuality when this is something I don't agree with," said Gandia. "When did acceptance of homosexuality become part of my child's education?"

WOW. I don't know how to even respond to this statement. Last time I checked, we lived in New England. Not some backwater town where education doesn't matter. Miss Gandia, while you may not agree with homoesexuality, maybe you should allow your children to develop their own opinion. Are you trying to keep your children in a bubble?! Because believe it or not, homosexuality exists and while you may "not agree with it," it isn't going away. So you better get a wake up call and allow your children to develop their own feelings on the subject because once they enter the "real" world they will definitely learn all about these "big bad" ideas that these short stories are teaching them. So Miss Gandia, as a state rep, I am disgraced to call NH the state that I am from and I truly hope that you do not come up for reelection because there will certainly be a negative backlash from you homophobic, close-minded statement.

Oh and to top it off, people moved to Litchfield for its traditional values!? Are you kidding me?! After growing up in another town, I have never seen such out of control children and students in my life. You don't want these kids to experience drugs, rape, etc. The only problem is that this small town is a rumor-mill and clearly, all these actions take place in such a "traditional" town. All the parents need to WAKE UP and realize that your little children aren't so innocent. So if you want to start addressing these problems, why don't you look in your parenting handbook on how to raise your children right and let the school do what it's supposed to do: teach children alternative viewpoints and make them well aware of different lifestyles, etc. If you want your child to experience such conservative viewpoints, move down south because last time I checked, we are living in a state that just approved Gay Marriage!

All in all, these short stories are meant to teach tolerance NOT acceptance. So get over yourself Miss Gandia. God forbid we should recognize any viewpoints outside of ultra-conservativism. In case you were wondering, our president, he's a democrat and currently youth are pushing votes in that direction. Frankly, I just think you are scared that your children might have differing opinions than your own.

I fully support the teachers at CHS who assigned these stories. It was approved curriculum, and to censor Hemingway is ludicrous. It's like censoring Shakespeare for sex, or Austen for female empowerment. It's the 21st century, we are not living in an age of intolerance. And I refuse to recognize the embarrassment that this has brought upon the teachers at CHS. I am ashamed of my town and the school I graduated from and the so-called representatives that live here.
- K, Litchfield

Pretty absurd really, I mean do the ADULTS who are reading these books have issues. Parents it's time to realize your kids are in high school becoming adults, so when you say things like i dont think my kids should be learning morals from school guess what? Kids are learning constantly, a huge part of the adult they become is created by school. The more they can understand, accept and the more socially tolerant they become will make them better people and will improve their lives. It sounds like it's time for you to let go of their hands for a minute, because it's obvious they're being the adults and the parents are arguing over something they don't understand. Stop looking at it like it's only school and start realizing, it's part of your childs life journey, an experience, don't ruin it by trying to make it just school for them. Field of Dreams people, watch it.
- Jon, Litchfield NH

Actually, parents do not always have the right to censor materials they find objectionable and for that matter neither do school boards. We have a Constitution to deal with issues such as this and that is what should be used here, not the rantings of hysterical parents.
- W, Portsmouth

To illustrate the hyprocrisy of the Liberal point of view which is the guiding force behind the modern American education system, I want everybody to reread the comments posted by the "A teacher, Manchester"and substitute the theme "Christian" or "Christianity" everywhere you see "homosexuality" and then ask your self if that same liberal would be making these statements. If this teacher's reasoning is sound than it has to work both ways.
- Steve, Litchfield

"....I demand equal time for the opposing viewpoint! If these students are exposed to this questionable material, then they should also be exposed with as much vigor to materials promoting healthy role models and intact families...."

I suggest you look around. The materials you seem to feel are not being used are the *default* mode.

If you don't think so it wouldf appear that you have no idea of what any school content material is.
- Craig R, Worcester, MA

When Hemingway -- a truly classic literary genius -- is being censored, you know someone's lost it. Literature that presents different viewpoints is a necessary part of education.
- Alexandra, Boston, Massachusetts

I think people who keep saying let kids read whatever they want or kids see much worse on TV are missing the whole point of education and what this is all about. It is not about sheltering kids, as much as it is about wanting an education for these kids.
I would not like these books in my kids school because I do not think that schools are there to teach morals and social skills, over academics skills. I also do not like it when teachers let my kids watch disney movies in school. It is not about hate it is about educational value in a public school.
If these people, who are angry, over the loss of these books in school still want to have a book discussion about them, then do so. Hold a book group forum after school,with other parents, staff and students. The group can be like other after school program. There seems to be alot of students and parents who would like this to happen, then by all means, make it happen. It is a free country.
But the public school system is paid by the taxpayers of the community and the public schools are required to give an adequite education with standards and rules and anyone has the right to question the educational value of any curriculum or material in school.
- k, hillsboro

Censoring of materials for student consumption is only going to lead to them growing up as bigoted, intellectually inferior, and socially unaware adults. While there are reasons students themselves may conscientiously object to that material, that decision should be theirs, not their over-protective parents. Give /students/ the option to opt-out, but don't force it upon them because of some ignorant parents.
- Andrew, Ann Arbor, MI

Parents have a right to ask for censorship. And, obviously the school superintendent agreed. If you are upset about censorship and feel that these books are appropriate, go to the library.
A book does not have to become part of a public school cirriculum to be available to a student.
- Theresa, Fort Bragg, NC

Katrina from your youth group who does not believe that parents or teachers should decide what children should read or do not own students mind, should remember who is raising these kids and who is paying for the school, parents.
- k, hillsboro

It just goes to show you where kids minds are - in the perennial gutter.
I don't blame parents for wanting more control over what is taught in school.

Schools are to teach History, Math, English, Science etc.
Schools are not to teach social morals, ethics and sexual perversion. These curricula will NOT get a child a good paying job.
- sandy, thornton

This is the most discouraging, depressing, and disgusting thing I have ever EVER heard of happening in Litchfield. The fact is you cannot just decide not to ACCEPT homosexuality because GUESS WHAT? It exists and you can't change it. It's not just going to go away and if you want your kids to grow up being ignorant, like apparently all the parents in Litchfield are, then you're on the right track because getting rid of this material is just going to make kids even more socially unaware than they already are. As for the material about, rape, sex, and violence, the fact is that everyone knows that it exists. What is the difference if they read about it in school or not? Welcome to 2009 idiotic Litchfield parents, people are not going to ACCEPT this and they're not going to forget.
What really upsets me is that the administration would dare to APOLOGIZE for the "unacceptable reading material". I really thought they knew better and I'm saddened and disappointed in their actions towards this stupid stupid problem that never should have been a problem in the first place.
- Abby, Litchfield

i've taken the Short Story class and i completly fail to see where the stories are concidered "Bad" for the students to read. We hear about worse stuff from the media. and homosexuallity? really people are you THAT close minded to change in our society or are you just too insecure to allow stories like that to be read in a class that is for juniors & seniors. the kids that enter that class are either 17 going on 18 or already 18. we can make our decisions we dont need you to make them for us. you cannot baby us forever. we are almost or are adults and we can make our decisions for ourselfs thank you kindly.
- Ryan, Litchfield

I'm from the National Youth Rights Association, and I strongly encourage the students who are rightly angry with this display of censorship in their school to organize and get it overturned. Parents and teachers need to learn that they do not own their students' minds and that it is the students themselves, not the parents or any other adults, who are to decide what they read about. If some parents are offended by homosexuality, well, that's their own problem, but that does not mean they should be forcing that problem on their kids as well, because their kids can form their own opinion about it. It's also interesting these parents want to hide issues of drug abuse and sexual abuse from their teens when a disturbingly high number of teens are living such abuse every day. To hide literature about these subjects from teens is absolutely insulting to them and only greatly harms their educational and growing process, a process which has more a right to flourish than adults do to control it to their own personal comfort and liking.
- Katrina, Washington, DC

This is just outrageous. Half the people who commented on this aren't even from litchfield. I am a sophomore, soon to be junior, at Campbell. I am not taking this class next year, but this is really stupid. I cannot believe most of the parents are fighting for the books to be banned.
it is a BOOK. build and bridge and get over it because honestly this is beyond stupid. we are in high school now. not middle school.

we are mature AND we can handle this. Typical Litchfield for fighting this though. I swear you can never be calm about anything. What about when we had a bomb threat all these many times while at school and had to be put on lockdown? Shouldn't you be more worried about THOSE and not these stupid books?

What happened here? Litchfield is a small ass town that has nothing to do but protest i guess. How does this make the students feel? Ashamed, Mad, Irritated, Pissed Off, and Outraged. Take a look around you Litchfield Parents. You may get rid of the books. but you may be getting rid of US too.
- Kayla, Litchfield

I am a former student as of a week ago and this makes me absolutely ashamed that people in Litchfield are so ignorant.

"My children are being forced to accept homosexuality when this is something I don't agree with." "When did acceptance of homosexuality become part of my child's education?"

Seriously? I must have missed the "Intro to Homosexuality" course when signing up for classes. Short Story is an ELECTIVE course that you are NOT FORCED to take. You read RESPECTED authors and further your understanding of literature. The teacher would not be able to teach these stories without them being approved. They were, like the teacher said. There should be no problem.

Instead of worrying about stories that your child reads in a classroom setting that doesn't dumb down and suppress real issues, you should be teaching your child acceptance. It is truly sad that there are people like Laura who are completely ignorant and unwelcoming/scared of people who are different than them.
- Jenny, Litchfield

I must say that when I first read this article this morning, I was appalled, yet not surprised. The ignorance and intolerance of these individuals makes me ashamed that I grew up in Litchfield. It is a quiet little town that is detached from the real world of diversity and progression. It's population is composed of mainly white, heterosexual, conservative, and wealthy individuals, and its leaders are very set in their old-fashioned ways, if that has not been made clear by this article. Anyone who does not fit into their perfect little world is met with hostility and apparent "outrage." It is very unfortunate.

I think that the comment above from Julia from Manchester was very well-written and sums up the issue nicely, so I hope that she does not mind if I quote her:
“If only G-rated politically correct subjects are what students are exposed to in school, these young adults will not have a chance in the real world, unless of course they take the route that many of their parents are taking and simply pretend that these issues don't exist or don't matter.”

Reading the quotes in the article from Representative Gandia infuriated me. “"My children are being forced to accept homosexuality when this is something I don't agree with.” She needs to be educated about homosexuality since it is now known that it’s not something that is a choice. It is part of natural human sexuality; therefore, to “disagree” with it is illogical. The rest of New Hampshire has progressed to ceasing the discrimination and violation of human civil rights by legalizing gay marriage. I suggest she jumps on board because she is apparently a State Representative, and intolerance of homosexuality and those who do not fit into the status quo is not representing the views of us citizens of New Hampshire.

Then there is the quote from Kevin Smith, executive director of Cornerstone Policy Research"We are not Cambridge, Mass., or L.A., or even Hanover," said Smith, who added that he and many others moved to Litchfield because of the community's traditional values. The only interpretation of those statements that is logical is that he is trying to say that he wants to keep Litchfield the small little indiverse town it is where he can be surrounded by others who are just like him. Very sad.

As much as these people would like to try to stop the progression of society and raise their children to believe that the environment of Litchfield is what the whole world is like, their efforts will fail. Today’s young adults are much more liberal than their parents’ generation, and issues like this will no longer be issues in the near future.
- Alyssa M., Litchfield

To Sue from Manchester: You said that a teacher who can't make the "classics" come alive is a bad English teacher; if you'd read the article you would have noticed that it was a short story class, not a Shakespeare or Advanced English. As a matter of fact, I took the short story class, and I also took all the other English classes which are taught by the same teacher- the REQUIRED English classes, in which she does read Shakespeare and many of the other "classics".
Also, not once were we asked to give our opinion about sexuality, nor to write an essay about our sex lives. In fact, all of the short essay answers we were required to give respected our privacy to the utmost, and never once did she invade anything that had to do with our personal lives.
And just so you know, there are homosexual students at Campbell High, as well as drug dealers, drug takers, people who have been raped, and, most likely, future rapists. The students are being exposed no matter what. Wouldn't the parents prefer that it happens in a controlled setting, like a classroom in a short story, rather than when their children leave town for college and are proposition to buy drugs or see a gay parade?
I would also like to point at that, admittedly, Short Story is more of a senior slack class than anything. Most of the students that take the class are either almost or over 18 years old. That's an adult, if I believe correctly. At 18 years old a person can be drafted to war and see friends around the die, and kill others. At 18 a person can vote for our country's president and therefore choose the direction that our entire country goes. At 18 a person is tried as an adult and can get a life sentence in jail. You're suggesting that at 18 a student shouldn't know what homosexuality is, or be shown how rape can affect a person, or be exposed to the damage that drugs cause.
Maybe parents should think about that before they decide that LEARNING MATERIALS are too inappropriate.
- Heather, Litchfield

I agree with the protesting Litchfield parents -- let the kids learn it on the street like in the good old days!
- Brian, W. Manch

To all the students and other young people posting on this blog: Great work! You, not your parents or other "adults", are the leaders in the very near future and you (not us "oldies") need to chart your own course.

Keep challenging the status quo!
- Bill, Candia

I also took this short story class and didn't find a single thing wrong with learning about real life issues and hardships. I'm not hitting on any guy I see, I'm not becoming a serial rapist or shooting a needle into my arm. I say if the parents want to stick their heads in the sand and pretend that real life doesn't exist, well then they're just bending themselves over for a nice kick in the ass by life.
- Shawn, Litchfield

By teaching children about homosexuality it is not making them gay, it is making them not ignorant. I think its right to teach kids about it so this generation does not become as close minded as the others.
- Jemima, litchfield

I demand equal time for the opposing viewpoint! If these students are exposed to this questionable material, then they should also be exposed with as much vigor to materials promoting healthy role models and intact families.
- RB, Litchfield

Something you people are forgetting is that the parents are the ones who pay (big) taxes for education in this state and thus they are the ones who should decide what gets taught in the schools. If the schools were not failing so badly to educate kids in the basics maybe this would have gone unnoticed.

No one is saying kids shouldn't read what they want on their own time, but for a class in a public place like school, having to sit through a discussion of this trash is abusive. Also if parents do NOT want them reading these types of books, that is between the parent and the child.. and none of anyone else's business. Parents have the right to decide when and where their kids are exposed to certain things still, I THINK?

There are plenty of texts in the classics that have controversial subjects to discuss like homosexuality, drugs, rape, sex, etc... even the Bible has this stuff (and it is often used for comparative literature classes) and other classics have been used successfully over the years. If a teacher can't make Shakespeare interesting then he/she is a very bad teacher! If a teacher of English is talented they can make the classics come alive. These texts are timely - that is why we call them classics!

From what I understand these books were nothing but trash and even for use for exposure to these subjects there was nothing socially redeeming about them.

For example, I can teach you to be tolerant of people who are engaged in different lifestyles, but do I have to teach you about everything they might DO in graphic detail like some schools do? No that is going too far, but it happens. Should I be asking you to write me an essay about your own sex life no matter what gender you prefer? NO that is none of a teacher's business!

Schools should stop with the values and political agenda and start teaching THINGS -- facts and figures and skills, not attitudes ---- kids today can't even make change! This won't change until we get the Feds and State out and return the control back to the local school boards who actually LISTEN to the parents -- the ones paying the bill -- and it's a BIG BILL.

If you read up on what our NH School programs are you will understand why our public schools are so chaotic, wasteful, and ineffective and merely a breeding ground for the next generation of community organizers..no matter how many Taj Mahal buildings we can boast. BAH!
- Sue, Manchester

I lived in Litchfield and took this class. There is nothing wrong with these materials. These parents are closed minded out of control. They are upset Because someone is teaching their kids something other than what they have brainwashed them to think. They need to get over themselves an let their kids think what they want.
- stephanie desrochers, litchfield nh

Why not make a class for Lesbian and Gay Studies, where a student interested in reading this type of material may do so, and those students not interested in studying the material are not forced to?
- Jared, Litchfield, NH

wow these parents need to get over this. I took that same short story class at Campbell and seriously its stuff that happens in real life. All you are trying to do is shelter your kids. let them grow up they are in highschool. Let them make their own choices. It is their choice to take the class so get over it. Why are you just now complaining about it when it is the end of the school year anyway? That class is not bad and reading stories like that helps form discussions about what everyone thinks or feels about them. I know we had a choice if it was too "graphic" we didnt have to read it. The teachers don't make you do anything. I think these parents are being ridiculous and overreacting to something that has been taught for a long time. Go find something else to do rather than complain if you dont like then why dont you send your kid somewhere else.
- Amanda, Litchfield, NH

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH....

And how different are these stories than what is on television? What about the discussion that results when a group of people read a story?
- James, Epping

It is a disgrace that a small group of uninformed parents are raising a stink about a class that is actually beneficial for high school students. Our education system MUST evolve along with society, and that includes exposing students to literature that deals with current, real-life issues.

If only G-rated politically correct subjects are what students are exposed to in school, these young adults will not have a chance in the real world, unless of course they take the route that many of their parents are taking and simply pretend that these issues don't exist or don't matter.

This is not a matter of what is right or wrong, it is a matter of narrow-minded individuals attempting to erase any traces of the existence of subjects/issues that are not on track with their personal beliefs.

I have read some of the books in question and while they are harsh and controversial, they are about real subjects. As many people have said before, the classics deal with similarly controversial topics and that is why they are classics! Because they can be applied to real things that are happening in real life!

I applaud the teacher at Campbell who assigned these books. Good for you for attempting to provide the students of Litchfield with a well rounded, thought-provoking education. I hope you can continue to be an important role in shaping the students of today into the mature, realistic-minded adults of tomorrow.
- Julia, Manchester

Ok... I can see where parents might be upset but this is 2009. I attended CHS and took the short story class. This is reality. You can "shelter" your kids from this "vulgar and inappropriate" material all you like but at some point they will face it or learn of it. I'm sorry but if your children are in any high school they are far beyond any of the material in these books. Watch what their eyes and ears take in on TV or what they read or write on the computer. There are so many feelings inside of kids especially at this crucial period of their lives. Discuss the material with your children if you're uncomfortable but do not ban it from the schools. Homosexuality is in our world. Drugs are Everywhere. Rape is something that everyone should be aware of. These are issues that you should discuss with your children. Use classes like these as an opportunity. Sit down with your child and ask them how they like the story and what they think of...who knows ..you might get a really awesome conversation out of it and a look into what your child is feeling. Also, no matter how much you try or how well you raise your child...they may still get into things like drugs. I am 21 and have never touched drugs or even smoked. This is not because I was raised strict ..it's because I saw what it did to people I cared about/my friends/family. I made my own decision based off what I saw and what I educated myself on. The school has done nothing wrong and shouldn't take away this part of the curriculum at all.
- Sarah, Litchfield

I think a lot of people are missing one of the key points - these are summer reading books that are skimmed over a few days before school starts. Can you remember anything you read in highschool other than Catcher In The Rye, various Shakespeare, and a few other titles? None of these readings will change the lives of students.
- N, Andover, Ma

It's upsetting, as a recent graduate of Campbell High School, to realize how many parents spread so much intolerance. It's understandable to have questions and concerns regarding text that has stronger thematic elements in them from parental and school board viewpoints, but it is plainly not okay that Representative Gandia should be unhappy her children are "learning" about homosexuality.

I understand that texts and analyses involving drugs, sex, and human behavior can be dicey and hard to teach, but there are better ways to handle this than to completely pull materials which could be filled with appropriate lessons and opportunities for meaningful discussion. Parents should look for ways to work with the school, not embody intolerance like Representative Gandia.
- Sean, Litchfield

First I'd like to say that I consider myself a pretty open minded person. Liberal on some issues, conservative on others.
What bothers me here is that the comments seem to have gone away from the material points.
1) A school is supposed to educate young people not present books that avow drug use, or what I would politely call a deviant lifestyle.
2) Accountability. There are two options here. Either the teacher assigned this book without reading it or she assigned it after reading it and in either case showed such poor judgement in my opinion that she should not be allowed to be a teacher and influence children in this manner.
3) Did I read correctly that the state of NH approved this book?
If so whom and I beleive this person or panel of people should be called in to explain the logic of their decision.
My last point is that it seems to me that the schools have lost sight of what their mandate is in respect to our children.
You folks aren't babysitters, you aren't there to promote your own agenda or lifestyle, you are there to educate our children in a manner that is acceptable to the majority of people that pay your salaries.
I don't expect you to teach that homosexuality is either good or bad. I don't expect you to broach the subject in any way, shape or form.
That is the parents area of influence not yours.
As to the gentleman from Concord who talks about book burning that is not the issue here at all.
The issue is the appropriateness of the books used in the schools.
I would defend to the death your right as an adult to read anything you choose but this is not that issue. This is about children not adults.
Thank you all for reading.
- David Hunt, Litchfield

These children are in HIGH SCHOOL. These parents need to realize this and stop being "helicopter parents" flying in *thinking* they are helping. And the principal and superintendent need to stop giving in to their demands. They are doing the teachers and their students a huge disservice. These people should be ashamed of themselves. They are not doing what is best for their student's education, but instead just succumbing to their parent's uninformed wishes.

These books are NOT inappropriate. Hills like White Elephants, for example, is a CLASSIC.

All of the other short stories are LIFE LESSON books and are perfectly appropriately. They should be allowed in any high school curriculum.
- Craig Huffstetler, Medford, MA

I really think all residents of Litchfield need to attend the school board meeting on 6/24 and, at the same time, email the superintendent and principal of Campbell High School. The course under discussion is an ELECTIVE. If you don't want your child exposed to real life issues, don't allow them to take the course. I would like my child to have the option to take that course and read books that are going to help them understand the real world around them.. And btw, the parent who originally brought her concern to the school board is just NOW figuring out that she didn't like the subject material? Every year, from day one, I know exactly what is going on in every single class my children take..
- Sue, Litchfield

Since it is an elective course- why dont some parent ELECT to be involved in what their children are signing up for?

Another bunch of "not my kid" parents complaining. Personally- I'd rather have an accredited English Teacher provoking thoughtful conversation about such horrific topics as sex and drugs etc with my kids, and having a real discussion with them- than risk my kids learning from the peers or on the streets.

Especially at the HS level- parents aren't right- we never are with teenagers- so if a good teacher can provoke some thought about what not to do based on the consequences read in a short story- HAVE AT IT- WAY TO GO TEACH!
I'm behind the teachers.
And NO- I am not a teacher.
S-
- SRT, Manchester

Great, lets organize a book burning and maybe the kids should stay 18 inches apart at dances. Wait a minute dancing is an act of the devil and witches, ban that too.

Hemmingway? Stephen King? these are respected writers whether you like them or not. Its time for the adults to grow up. Its an elective course.

When are you people going to learn that censorship DOES NOT work?

If you properly instill values into your children, you should have nothing to worry about. Just because I read about Aliens, does not mean I believe in them or support people that do.
- AC, Concord

The stories deal with homosexuality, explicit sexual material, rape, murder drug use, statutory rape and discussion about abortion. Has anyone watched the news lately? REAL life deals with all those issues, and we can't shield students from reality; literature opens the door for meaningful discussion. Shame on the Litchfield school district for pulling the books it probably hasn't even read.
- Sandy Ratliff, Concord, NH

I hope they teach better sex education in Litchfield than they did in Wasilla!
- Texter, Newfields

dl, It's interesting you're so versed in liberal talking points and the organizations that put them out. It's odd that I believe acceptance and tolerance are both very good things yet I'm neither liberal nor have I read talking points put out by any organization. I'm independent and think for myself. It's amusing that you began your post by railing against the liberal talking points only to regurgitate the old tired religious conservative
talking points of liberal activist teachers and how only those who act or think like you can be responsible. Frankly I'm shocked you didn't manage to drag those devil activist judges into the matter too.
- jon, hooksett

This is ridiculous. All of you people who think these books are outrageous or immoral, wake up. These topics are real, and happen in everyday life. Shouldn't teens be educated on these matters? Nothing is being forced on them, the students aren't being forced to do drugs, or even accept homosexuality, so why ban the books? I thought as a society we were progressing, but this whole ordeal is just showing how stuck we really are. Highschool students are old enough to handle mature themes. These books would be inappropriate for middle school and elementary kids, but as young adults, we teens might be faced with some of these topics ourselves, or know someone who is dealing with them. I'm a student at Campbell Highschool, and I wish I had taken Short Story just so I could have read those books, they seem extremely interesting. Now, I'm going to have to go find them in the library because thanks to some over-protective parents, I won't be allowed to read anything remotely mature in school anymore.
- Ashley, Litchfield, NH

Harry from Atkinson- I agree about what the kids should be learning in school but aren't.
Our city's principal could care less about what is good for the kids here, she just wants her own agenda.
We want to learn about finance and accounting but she is just going to give a short course about it instead of accounting 1,2,3.
I wanted to be an accountant but there are no courses for me. My guidance counselor said not to worry about it. How can I not- that will be my career! I will probably not get accepted to any decent school for accounting because I had none in high school.
As for the course- the parents can be as irate as they like, but it was their kids writing the stuff and if some of them weren't the authors, most of them are witnessing all this stuff on the internet when the parents aren't supervising them anyway.
Video games also contain this stuff as well.
These parents are by far not the innocent ones.
Can one of them say honestly that they watch everything their kids do, sit by them while they are on the computer and go through the video games before the kids do? I doubt that highly.
These kids know all about this stuff because the government says we have to accept alternative lifestyles.
This doesn't happen in my house.
To be homosexual would get you disowned (and rightfully so) and no one does business with them or associates with those types. The people who can't make up their minds what sex they are are also discouraged. those things ARE wrong and should be kept in the closet where they belong.
If these parents and school admins would pay attention, they could see the same brilliant talents like Edgar Allen Poe, etc. They considered his writing to be dark, yet he is still considered a must study in school.
Kevin- when I told my parents that I was being made to watch such movies, my mom went to school and said I don't think so! I was exempted and got to spend time in the library (which was fabulous- I got a lot of reading done- POE!
- Ashley, Franklin

Notice how so many of these posts use the same expression: "difference between acceptance and tolerance"? Liberal talking points put out by left-wing organizations to respond to these types of articles...

To all of you who don't think parents should guide their children in ways of thinking and developing values: then what IS the role of a parent? Simply to get their children physically to the age of adulthood, and let "society" and public schools shape their values? A responsible parent knows that instilling values is their most important role.

Just because a parent doesn't want their child reading this type of material at school, doesn't mean they aren't talking about it at home. There is no basis for anyone to make that assumption. Responsible parents prefer this type of material be discussed at home, where they can provide input and guidance - as opposed to not knowing what some liberal, activist teacher is saying to their kids.

To all of those saying that our kids are exposed to so much worse on TV and Internet and there's nothing we can do about it: have not any of you installed filters on your computers and set ratings restrictions on your TV's? They are there for a reason - use them! I have been doing this since my kids were toddlers. Granted, they will still on occasion be exposed to objectionable materials, especially at other homes who do not take such precautions, but the more you can limit the exposure, the better. What goes into a mind, comes out in a life. Such a simple concept that is so foreign in today's permissive culture.

So if you think sex, drugs, rape, etc. are perfectly fine to expose teenagers to, then fine, let your kids have access. Other parents have higher standards than that and it should not be the role of schools to decide that it is "good" for them to be exposed. Not now, and not ever, no matter how much society changes.

Hogan in Manchester says "Teachers are to educate students on life and war and math and science and love and family and everything else. If you don't teach acceptance, tolerance, etc you have not taught at all." Sadly, this pretty much summarizes what the liberals who have taken over our educational system actually believe.

Yes, Hogan, teachers should be teaching math, science, literature, history, critical thinking skills, etc., but there are many ways to do this without using sexually explicit, violent, drug-filled "literature". And no, it is NOT their job to teach about life, love and family, because beliefs about those areas vary greatly among families, cultures and religions, and absolutely should be left for the parents to "teach".
- DL, Nashua

I wanted to understand what this was all about. So I went online and got a digest of some of these books the students were reading.
I am not a prude nor am I anti-gay or whatever. But I was shocked and disgusted at the filth that was presented in these books/essay's whatever you want to call them. They have no relation to quality prose.
Those of you who are calling parents nasty names should go crawl in a hole and rot.
- sandy, thornton

First of all, I teach high schoolers, and they know all about this stuff by the time they hit the 9th grade, and if they don't by then someone quickly fills them in! Parents are kidding themselves saying they don't want their kids learning about homosexuality and drug use when it's talked about between students in elementary school nowadays.
Secondly, last time I checked there was something called "Seperation of church and state". Why would a public school take any stance on what is morally right or wrong to read about? Be glad your kids are reading, and not watching TV, which has all of the above mentioned subjects in living color!
- tom, manchester

This is an ELECTED course. My son is a freshman at Campbell, where were the parents when they SIGNED their childrens courses? DId they not read about or educate themselves about the class. I personaly have read the short stories and I dont think my child needs to read this till a college level, but I would have encouraged another class. Parents need to take responbility and not blame everything on the school distict.
- Ariana, Litchfield

UM... did you not realize that your kids watch the same stuff on TV, or at the movies? So reading it is so much worse? And if you even say "not my child" your wrong... it is on the nightly news too, so to say that they are forced to accept, or read is ridiculous. If you allow them to watch it them there really is no difference in reading it. And to cast off Hemingway, are you kidding me.
- lh, manchester

I see this has created a firestorm of postings. Here's a novel thought, instead of these topics even getting into high school, why not teach our children something useful.

How about, check book balancing 101, personal finance 101, the meaning of simple and compound interest 101. Let's take it further, why not teach and enlighten our younger generation the dangers of SUBPRIME MORTGAGES, preditor lending. How to identify a SCAM.

Nowadays we have a generation that knows all about trans gender 101, but they can't figure out personal finances.
Sham on the system for even allowing this to happen.

Believe me when I tell you, once they hit the street, NOBODY CARES ABOUT TRANSGENDER anything. It's all about, what have you done for me lately. These poor kids are going to get eaten alive!!!
- Harry, Atkinson

It takes a village......to corrupt a child's mind. Our schools are wonderful at progressive indoctrination .
- Kevin, Dover, NH

Umm...if those children rode the bus at any point of their Litchfield education, then they were exposed to vulgar language. So parents need to get a grip. Homosexuality while you may not condone or agree to it, is a part of life. You cannot continue to keep your kids in a bubble-literature expands your horizons to show you all aspects of life and not just the ones in Litchfield. I am appalled the Superintendent, Principal and others have bowed to such a narrow minded minority.
- Patty, Litchfield

Am I understanding that they are pulling Hemingway is being pulled?

Am I also to understand that this is not a required course, where if a parent truly did not want their child in it, they did not have to be?

Also, being a Litchfield resident with a now Junior, soon to be Senior in Campbell, I am curious as to why all junior/senior parents were not fully informed what was being decided? Why did Campbell not use their fancy phone system to inform the parents of the juniors and seniors about this?

Why can't the choice be left open, at home. If a parent doesn't want their child to read these things (HEMINGWAY??) then they don't have to sign up. But what about the parents that like their children to learn tolerance and acceptance, and have intelligent discussion on them, why can their children now not take this class? Simply because of the 'book burning' attitude of a very select few?

Come on Litchfield. I do know one thing, having lived here 12 years, they will sweep this under the rug, like every SINGLE thing in Litchfield, and the tax paying residents will not have a choice in this matter.

Wow, just wow.
- Lisa Rhodes, Litchfield NH

AHHHH! Censorship! What a wonderful place to live. By the time these people are old enough to take the class in question it is a certainty they have already been exposed to the material assigned in class. If we can mainstream the sexual reassignment of "Chas" Bono, then we can certainly deal with a little Hemingway and King in our high shcools.
- Lazarus, Manchester

Mark H, why can't you teach children about all of these subjects without using inappropriate language and explicit material?
- ken, nashua

To Mark Hooksett,
Homosexuality, and sexually explicit material, crack cocaine diets and the like have NO business being part of a school curriculum! There is a huge difference between being open-minded and being force-fed perverse crap! While Hemingway has some very good literature the material that was presented to these children "yes children" is inappropriate and vulgar. I am appalled that people like you are actually defending this as acceptable? Believe it or not there are still plenty of people who believe in God, read their bibles and have a sense of decency and strongly object to sexual and immoral material being taught to their children. Please don’t give me that boloney line about living in modern times either, the passing of time does not make a thing that is wrong and immoral right. Mark your morals and values are in the crapper and it’s no wonder why society is going to hell in a hand basket.
- Rob, Manchester

Some of you are missing the point. From my perspective it's not about tolerance, what students know and don't know, think and don't think. It's about this being passed off as LITERATURE! It's about the fact at ENGLISH teacher is probably NOT QUALIFIED to answer the questions that might arise from this type of story. I am all for tolerance, and understanding that each family is a family regardless of it's demographics. But is ENGLISH LIT the place to do that? What about all the great literature that is out there? Or contemporary writing that is not so controversial? It's not about censorship or banning, it's about a curriculum that students can learn from and grow from.
- mom, litchfield

Where are the parental rights here??? These parents have EVERY right to expect certain things from the school and complain when it doesn't suit them. THAT is REAL freedom. And just because some of us choose to not agree with all the liberals in our schools doesn't mean we need to send out kids to private schools.
- Mary C, Manchester

Last time I checked the parent of Litchfield pay the majority of the taxes that fund the school. They pay the salaries of the teachers. If the state wants to tax their contribution away, fine by me, lets get off the state dependence.
- Peter, Litchfield

These parents need to GROW UP. Is that ironic? It should be, but if their children don't get to read genius like Hemingway and David Sedaris then they won't be able to appreciate the subtle wit of Irony.

Lets leave our children dumb, closed in, and close minded. Shame on the superintendent for compromising his position as an EDUCATOR to appease parents who don't see the educational value in remarkable literature.

Should we only learn from what we agree with? No...you learn by butting heads and disagreeing.

I'll say it again litchfield parents. Grow up.
- Mark H, Hooksett

What world do the parents live in, and what world do the children live in? Are they dealing with things as they are, or things as they want them to be?
- Garth Spencer, Vancouver, Canada

Is learning about real life such a bad thing. This was a junior and senior class. That means these students are very close to being out of high school and exposed to the real world. Lets not shelter our kids and teach them to be hateful or look down on another. Learning values such as understanding/tolerance should never be viewed as a bad thing.
Lets stop seeing this as a black and white issue and look for the gray command ground. Yes family values are important ,but learning to understand the world around us will only create better people in the end.
- R, litchfield

As an avid Hemingway reader (I highly recommend touring his house in Key West), I think the old man would have been very amused to hear people proclaiming his work to be a tool of the liberal agenda. Have any of you ever even read one of his books?

Only in the UL, where education is indoctrination and every tax is tyranny!
- Jason, Londonderry

Hmmm...If the principal agreed that these readings would be taken out of the curriculum so quickly, then it stands to reason that they were never in an approved curriculum, which means the teacher lied when she wrote her note back to Sue Ann Johnson...has anyone addressed this issue directly and questioned the honesty and integrity of the teacher?
- David, Merrimack, NH

If you haven't read "The Crack Cocaine Diet" you should not be commenting. I am 37 was shocked by this trash! Why do students have to read a story based on drugs, rape, sex, and murder??? Surely the teachers can find something a little more appropriate?

Just because people think teenagers are exposed to such behavior, does that mean the school has to reinforce it?

I'm glad our kids are going to private school!
- Christa Roth, Manchester, NH

FPC,
Nope I did not get a pink slip. I should get one because I am willing to discuss ideas? Because I don't accept what is spoon fed to me? Because I can think independently? This lesson, I believe, is meant to teach critical thinking skills. I guess you are not capable of critical thinking. Too bad for you and your children. Lacking this skill is what breeds hate.
- A teacher in Manchester, Manchester

if morals and values are what the public want, then they are more than welcomed to send their children to private schools that will bend to the will of the parent and their chosen belief system. but when you decide that you are sending your children to a public school, be prepared for things not to go your way...

never mind the child that sits next to your child, who has been struggling with his sexuality for years or been raped when walking home from school, now hearing these searing words from his/her friends parents. then we wonder why the suicide rates of young adults is so high.

shame on all of you who teach hate and intolerance to your children!
- michael Sc, manchester nh

I'm glad to see some parents realize that the inmates have placed themselves in charge.
I'm disturbed by the teacher that said it 'was an approved part of the curriculum.' What kind of judgement does that teacher use? Any?
Just teach the kids what they need to be successful. Give them tools. Keep the politics out.
- billf, Bedford

Books like To Kill a Mockingbird make mention of rape; however, the way in which the author makes mention of it is in a refined, well-mannered way. Books like The Crack Cocaine Diet are just plain uncouth. The Crack Cocaine Diet seethes with sexually explicit material and profanities that no ear should hear. Overall, it is not just the fact that books like the Crack Cocaine Diet contain sexually explicit material, but the loutish way in which the author portrays this material.

I don't think anyone, let alone highschoolers, should expose themselves to this sort of material. It makes me wonder where people draw the line in what they see and read. . . are X-rated movies and pornography okay just because they occur in the "real world?"
- Amanda, Salisbury

"We are not Cambridge, Mass., or L.A., or even Hanover," said Smith, who added that he and many others moved to Litchfield because of the community's traditional values"

I live in Hanover. I am not gay, not into crack cocaine or even care one way or the other about abortion. Mr Smith is appears to be very close minded and some what of an attention getter
- William, Hanover

For all you libs screaming about tolerance...last time I checked tolerance was a TWO WAY street. Now a days someone speaks out against homosexuality or abortion they are branded a bigot or religious zealot. You libs need to be tolerant of the other side as well. Look in the mirror when you preach tolerance. Additionally values are taught at home not at school.
- Andrew, Litchfield

PA-LEEZE!!! When I was in High School (about 100 years ago) the parents in town got their collective tail in a knot over "Main Street" by Upton Sinclair. Hardly risque by today's standards. The Campbell High stories don't promote a life-style as much as they open a discussion about life-styles in general, and a person's ability to chose their life-style. The stories promote mature discussion about life's choices. How can that be wrong?
- Elphaba, Peterborough

Has anyone read "The Marketing of Evil" by David Kupelian? This lays out the course of Liberals/Progressives plan to deviate society in such a way that "anything goes". It all starts with "hijacking" our schools....
- Patricia, Raymond

Oh Amanda and Jack, how black and white you are. This is ONE unit in ONE class, yet you suppose that they do not teach "the classics." Hemingway is considered a classic now(is the story in question, "Hills Like White Elephants"?), so is Fitzgerald, so is Homer, Frost, Shakespeare, Angelou, the list goes on. But to shield these students from more modern writing seems ridiculous to me. How ever the big problem here is that the readings are being deemed "required." As a teacher you MUST know that some of the images and language in books might go against religious or moral grounds, and you must provide alternative reading. You can not force, say, a Mormon student to read a book with swears in it and tell them if they don't read it, they fail. that is silly.

on a side note here, why does it take a mother who snoops through her son's backpack (and then reads all the stories) to bring this to life? Doesn't that say something about the family life of these students in Litchfield, they don't even want to discuss their schooling with their own parents (or the ones that did discuss, their parents did not object)?
It's a head shaker on all sides.
- Hogan, Manchester

Hogan, Manchester .. The word "gay" means happy. The students may have a "homosexual" teacher and that "homosexual" teacher may be gay, or her/she may be depressing. The teacher's sexual orientation has nothing to do with his/her demeanor. Also, many people believe homosexual relations are wrong and sinful. This does not make them hateful. It is their right in a free society. The hate, intolerance seems to be coming from the homosexual community toward those who for religious or other reason do not accept their behavior as proper.
- tom, manchester,nh

High school students are old enough to process ideas which may be different from the values their families hold. If they have accepted the values you taught them as they grew up, then exposure to other thoughts will not cause them to abandon their beliefs. Take the opportunity to discuss what your kids have read and concerns they have about how these thoughts differ from your family's beliefs. Do it in a calm and rational manner. Sooner or later they will be exposed to all that is in the world. Isn't it better to have them look at these things while they are at home and have you available to help them understand your viewpoint on the subject? If you are overprotective and intolerant, you will not have much credibility with your kids in the first place. Your attitudes and behavior will ultimately have more effect on your kids than anything they read in school.
- Dexter, Grand Bois

This is a great advertisement for the "bad" books. Please print the titles and get them banned as history is full of stories about "banned" books becoming best sellers due to this label. High school students (and I was one a long time ago) will always choose the "illicit" reading material over the "acceptable" material 9 out of ten times.

Let's see, didn't we have the censor zealots requesting Harry Potter books be banned due to the "occult" themes being anti-Christian? Of course it didn't matter that we actually had millions of kids off the computer and reading a book (and not a new wizard in sight)!

An one last thing:

"I don't care what kids know, it is not for the school to discuss such topics. They should be instilling morals and values." (Ann Theresa, Portland Ct.).

Gee, I learned my moral compass from my mother and father. Boy was I stupid!
- Bill, Candia

Londonderry High School, has similar health class, however permission by parent is required. The consent forms list books, movies and projects that will be discussed. It leads to very open discussions at home that would otherwise not take place. Done in a classroom enviroment with peers and instructor they are getting the facts in a controlled setting. I feel it was very well done and educational - for the whole family.
- cathy, londonderry

Thank God for Christian schools.
- Anonymous, NH

Before all of you defenders of this kind of teaching state your case, I suggest you check out an excerpt from one of the books http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews2/9780061584992-excerpt.asp After reading it, do you really believe there isn't a better use of our children's time?
- John, Londonderry

Right on, Amanda in Salisbury. The requirements of the Left's social engineering program (a la the Marxist "Frankfurt School") demand that the indigenous population of this country be separated from their Western cultural heritage and and history, in order to make them malleable little drones in the globalized, corporate, multicultural police state that they long to foist on us. The ideal "student today is an ahistorical, perpetual adolescent who deals only in "getting along" and in "feelings." Such a person is not going to cause trouble by talking about constitutional rights, or the cultural genocide of Americans through mass immigration of totally alien peoples, and will have no frame of reference to objectively evaluate the Orwellian "Newspeak" of our leaders who are doing everything they can to ruin us as a nation.

No Twain, Melville or Poe are in the curriculum, but condoms, homosexuality and "gender" (?) are. Of course, usurping the role of parents is what the schools in communist countries did as part of their campaign against "the bourgeois fetish of family life."
- Jack, Bradford

I think they should allow the students to read only the books that will help them in life, such as fairy tales, ancient history, and perhaps the bible.
- Dale A., Manchester

How dare they expose kids to these things! The only defense against these things is ignorance! Now that the kids know that these things exist they are now vulnerable to these things that would have never affected them had they not known they existed...
- Jeff, Manchester

Medical science, not "ignorance" or "bigotry", or any other vapid, imbecilic leftist label, tells us that homosexuality is a medical and demographic dead end. It is not something kids should be taught to "accept" or "tolerate" any more than the old game of Russian Roulette. It should be roundly discouraged by a responsible society, like any other form of inherently self-destructive behavior.

If this subject is to be broached in school, kids should be taught the negative medical consequences of such behavior, and not be given the sugar-coated, politically-correct, whitewashed version of such things that seems to inevitably occur in today's public schools.
- Marc Carter, Rockville, MD

This is just a case of the state trying to be the parents. Like it or not, until the child is 18 the parents are still the ones responsible for what they are exposed to. This is a case of the community speaking loud and clear as to what it wants its children "educated" in.

Good for you, Litchfield!
- Wayne S, Manchester

Should they also avoid Uncle Tom's Cabin because it discusses race? (and could be argued helped incite the Civil War)

Should they not read 1984 because they might become revolutionaries?

Education is about exposure. You want to shelter your kids lock them up in the basement and throw them a couple of Archie Comics.

If one is not exposed to all how can they make informed decisions about it. And to all these parents saying they object to this or that, your children have minds of their own as well. Just because you are prejudice and bigoted doesn't mean they have to be.

With the sentiments expressed here I'm surprised most of these parent's don't object to the teaching of American history which is filled with far more horrible events than those outlined in these books.
- Ed, Chester

Good grief people! Let the book burning begin. Banning books? Censorship? These books were all banned at one time and are now what we call "Classics": 1984, Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, Arabian Nights, Dr. Zhivago, Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Of Mice and Men. Let's stop all the hand wringing and talk about something important, shall we?
- Dawn, NH

A Teacher-Manchester...I hope you and "Teachers" like you all got/get pink slips! Keep your liberal agenda, obamanut teachings home!
- fpc, manchester

A Teacher-Manchester...I hope you and "Teachers" like you all got/get pink slips! Keep your liberal agenda, obamanut teachings home!
- fpc, manchester

I'd argue that many parents out there worrying about this couldn't think their way out of a wet paper bag. Wanting to believe that their children aren't exposed to this stuff earlier than high school is ludicrous, and to believe that their children will somehow behave differently than they did at the same age just as idiotic. Raise your hands, how many of you have children as a result of a conscious choice and not as the result of a slip up because you thought "It can't happen to me" or that storks brought babies?
- Texter, Newfields

David Sedaris is great! Reading him will make students smarter. Listening to Gandia will not.
- Brian H., W. Manch

So many posts here with people giving their opinions. How many here (with the exception of one gentleman that posted earlier) have actually read ANY of these books in question, or are just getting all riled up because they saw "homosexuality" written here and other topics. I suggest that you read the books, then state your opinions if you feel the need. And unless you or your child were actually in the class, I doubt that you should have any negative comments about the teacher or the fact that they "forced" the students to read these books. And according to this story, looks the the issue has been taken care of anyway.
- Frank, Gilford

Are all of you parents serious? do you honestly believe that these books are "corrupting" your high school student? When all the while you give them, cell phones, cable tv, and a computers, social networking, my space and all of the little goodies that go along with this? and your worried about reading material that is given to them in their school? What they are reading about is life. Homosexuality is real. Rape is real, drug abuse is real. If you stick your head and attempt to stick your childs head in the sand long enough do you honestly think these issues will go away? Information, and education go hand in hand. This will Not make up their minds to what they believe is right or wrong, but it will give them a basis for not being ignorant to what is going on around them in life. The day of Aesop fables is gone people, the world has changed, and as much as you want to not believe this, it is true. Allow your child to learn and grow about all of the different aspects of life, good or bad.
- Kathy D., Manchester

While I find it appalling that the public school system would allow books with such objectionable content into their curriculum, in many ways I find it even more egregious that a high school level curriculum contains such vapid books. What ever happened to the classics? No more Homer, Austen, T.S. Eliot, Virgil, Orwell, Tolstoy, or anything else of more intelligence that might actually contribute to the intellectual formation of the student?

Parents send their children to school to get an education; not to learn about accepting homosexuality or putting on a condom. The public school system is not the parent. Parents should not allow the public school system to usurp their role as parents. Regardless of whether or not some think that children are already exposed to these things "so why not in the classroom as well", the parents are the ones responsible for the moral formation of their children and for the State to ignore that and to elevate itself to a position above the parent is simply intolerable.
- Amanda, Salisbury

Susan in Colebrook : "they should home school their children and leave the rest of us alone." perhaps YOU should be the one to homeschool!! Maybe YOU are the minority here. If you want to teach your children about homosexuality, aids, abortion, global warming, etc., then rent movies from netflix and teach your kids yourself! I hope Kevin Smith is able to find a way to legally fix this problem!!
- Cindy, Bedford

Love/Gender/Family

These are taught in High School?

Love isn't taught at home?

Gender, this one is easy, unless you are a liberal then it is up for discussion.

Family? Who is the school to tell someone what a family should look like?

These are traditional values, that liberals feel are up for change. They have replaced things that liberals fear, like US history and the US constitution. No wonder the US is falling so far behind in areas like math and engineering.

The liberals have taken over education and are brainwashing us and our children to forget our our roots, and abondon personal accountability in exchange for the ability to question your gender. In fact they will help you with my tax money if you decide to change gender.
- Michael Layon, Derry

Good for you, parents. Stand up for what you feel is right. If you dont want your kids being influenced by a bunch of people that lack personal or social morals, then its your right to say something about it. Fight the good fight, cause in the end...Youre responsible for the way your children are raised, not these teachers who dont really care about your kids anyway.
- Dave, Londonderry

If you are going to teach sex,drugs and crime in school.Why not have the Bible as a book to be read. In class too.
.
- mo baxter, plymouth

Their kids most likely don't even read anyways and now they are taking away a potential reader that they might actually get interested in because it's relevant to today.

Seems Litchfield is trying to become the Fourth Reich.
- Bill, Derry

Yee-haw! Looks like we gonna have ourselves a good ol' fashioned book burnin'!

God forbid kids receive a fact-based education about things that actually exist in the real world. It's much better for them to learn it where their parents did, through innuendo and rumor on the school bus.
- Jason, Londonderry

Hahaha...wow, these parents may have a point were there children still in middle school. But high school is a little late to be trying to shape their minds. Also, just because they aren't exposed to it in school doesn't mean they wont find out about it. Parents don't realize that the internet allows their children unrestricted access to anything they want.
Part of life is being educated on the realities of life, such as drug abuse and homosexuality. If they aren't educated about these things they may end up just as ignorant as their parents are.
- Bill, Manchester

Personally they shouldn't teach this at school - It's the parents' job to teach kids about this. Just like Religion - IT SHOULDN'T be in public school. But if you do let your kids go to public school just plan on "Detoxing" them when they get home. The "history" taught in public school is just as objectionable; too bad Public school don't teach kids MATH and Science that they are going to NEED for the REAL world to hold down a REAL job - this other crap is just noise... that's why the USA is finished --thanks to the Public schools in this country.
- BZ in Bedford, NH

Chances are they've seen and heard and watched video of the same content via the good 'ol internet...even in sleepy Litchfield (which is very close to urban Nashua if think).

At least this was in a controlled environment with an adult that can monitor questions, reactions, etc.

Why don't we try to teach tolerance and acceptance rather than censorship. I've also learned that the more you tell them "no", the more your kids will push that envelope.

Reality check, anyone?
- Kate, Concord

It seems to me that there are a few teachers at the high school who have a social agenda which doesn't match up with the values of the community at large. Perhaps those teachers (and administrators) could join the ranks of the unemployed...
- RB, Litchfield

The issue here isn't the exposure to such information but who is conducting the conversations and who is influencing the students viewpoint. Why are sexual issues being addressed in an English class? What qualifications does the English teacher have in addressing sexual material and issues? Not every child has been exposed to the extent of sexual relationships that these books offer. Even at the age of 50 these books open my eyes to sexual behavior that I was unaware of, and quite frankly I don't agree that everyone must be acquainted with the fact that some people choose such behavior. It is a sad world when education translates to a belief that it is right, and it is good, to unilaterally expose students to information they are not asking for, and may not be ready to handle. And I do mean expose. I have seen no evidence that educators are trained or qualified to handle the emotional fall out of the material they are presenting. Parents do still have a role in raising their children, and most parents are in the best position to decide when and if their child would benefit from such information. Kudos to the parents who had the courage to stand up and take action. Why is it that schools can not stick to the issue of educating children in fundamental skills, skills which colleges are aghast that students are lacking upon their arrival at college?
- Diane, Contoocook

I suggest a good old fashioned book burning!Perfect fit for the Socialist state we are becoming.
- charlie, Litchfield

"My children are being forced to accept homosexuality when this is something I don't agree with," said Gandia. "When did acceptance of homosexuality become part of my child's education?"

They are not being FORCED to accept it, but exposed to the fact that it exists. There are so many other things that your kids see and do daily that are far worse than this. Literature is meant to make people think and question and not necessarily conform to the message. That is the piece that you all are missing. I would worry about what your child is doing daily and not what they are reading in a safe environment in which they are permitted to discuss ideas and not necessarily adopt those ideas. If they are not aware and then go out into the world and live those ideas with ignorance, it will be far worse for them.
- A Teacher, Manchester

@Sue from Colebrook: I don't think you have the whole story here... teaching tolerance for those who are different is fine but was not what was being done.

As for parents wanting to control what their kids think, not what they read, um, yeah? So are you saying that's not their right? Some of this stuff was pretty darn raunchy... this article sort of downplays it. Why does public education have to be child abuse? The parents pay the taxes for these schools, sometimes more than what it would cost for a private school, and they and ONLY they should have a say about what is taught therein. (Editor you can combine these two posts if you want, sorry)
- Sue, Manchester

I don't think they should be exposed to that in high school.
- mark, hooksett

I grew up in California, and a mere 15 years ago we would not have been allowed to use books like these for class book reports. I cannot believe that these are required reading.

I do, however, think that students should learn about statutory rape in school. At high school age, they are the target group and they should be aware of state laws that could make them a child molester for having sex. But being forced to read books with these subjects is offensive.
- Erica, Derry

There is nothing wrong with acknowledging the existence of homosexuality, and encouraging 'tolerance' but that doesn't mean it necessitates going into such gory detail about their sexual habits as some of these writings do. Worse is asking kids to talk or write about their own sexual encounters. How intrusive is that? Certainly if a kid needs to talk to an adult about something personal they can seek out a counselor. Not all children are ready to discuss this in public... not all parents want their children taught about sex by the public schools. And certainly there is no need for it to be infused into the English program.
- Sue, Manchester

I have a book they can add to the list. It has incest, murder, suicide, mass killings, you name it, it’s in it!! It’s a nice classic fiction novel..... It’s called the Bible!!
Bunch of hypocrites
- Ryan, Manchester

God Forbid high school students be given the opportunity to read stories that are outside the rhealm of what their closed minded parents might subject them to. How about we teach our kids to read everything and make decisions and form opinions for themselves rather than forcing ours down their throats?
Legal action is a ridiculous and frivilous reaction to this. Spend your time talking to your children (who, by the way, are about to be adults) rather than looking for methods of sheltering them and blaming others.
Stories like this absolutely infuriate me.
- Andrea, Manchester

A teacher's job is not to indoctrinate the students to accept anyone. Students are supposed to learn about nuetral literiture. The idea is not to shelter the students, but the idea is to let them have their prejudices and make their own decisions about what they will and wont tolerate. These ultra liberal teachers need to leave their emotions and belifs at home and stop trying to sway what the students can and cant accept.
- Steven Chesterfield, Pembroke

Wow, I chose to read these types of books in high school; I wasn't forced to read them or anything, just chose to. I might've actually paid more attention in school if we were reading books like this instead of the ones we did that bored the crap out of me. I didn't turn into some drug addict, prostituting, lesbian, either. Pretty cool, huh? I think high schoolers should have to read books of this nature instead of ones that always have a happy ending and make the world seem like such a great place.

To the parent that doesn't want their child knowing about homosexuality; why? Just because you're prejudice and not accepting doesn't mean that your children have to be too. No wonder there are so many hate crimes... because of parents like this that pass on their great values on how NOT to accept someone for who they are.
- k, manchester

The public school's can and will teach these things and do not care what parent's think. Has anyone ever looked at the books in the school's libraries.
Teachers, guidance counselors and principals can also talk about sex and abortion with your child anytime they want. They do not need parental permission.

Schools now give out opt out form which give pemission for the school to talk to or ask anything of your child. The form is only to be signed if parent's DO NOT want their kids subjected to these books, surveys or talks. It is the opposite of what parents are used to. It used to be that we signed a permission slip if we DID want our kids to participate. Now kids have an option of not bringing these slips home so that their parent's remain unaware and cannot sign what they do not see.
Susan from Colebrook. I am homeschooling my daughter because all of my parental rights in my district have been disregarded.These schools have the mentality that when we send our children to a public school they have right over parents. They do not have to inform parents of anything. According to the Superintendent in this disrtict, the school has an obligation to the student's not the parents. The principal also said that if I did not like the way he did things then I should just get my daughter out of his school. I did, I am homeschooling her, but I am still paying taxes on a public school in my district.

The public school does not belong to the teachers. principals or superintendent alone, but to the public, as well. We pay for these schools and by word of "public" these schools belong to the whole community. Anyone who says that the public should just leave the school's alone is wrong. If the school does not want public input, stop taking public money.
- k, hillsboro

Wow Mrs Gandia, being taught about Homosexuality is not making them accept homosexuality. It teaches them tolerance of it.

"My children are being forced to accept homosexuality when this is something I don't agree with," said Gandia. "When did acceptance of homosexuality become part of my child's education?"

As of yesterday our president has given Same Sex partners certain rights they did not previously have.

Is a high school student going to be shielded from current events? Every evening on the news there is something about homosexuality, abortion, etc..talking about these subjects does not make people accept them, it allows them to make there own decisions.

I would suggest that Mrs Gandia is afraid her children might actually have open minds and disagree with her way of thinking.
- Rich, Raymond

I don't care what kids know, it is not for the school to discuss such topics. They should be instilling morals and values. If a parent thinks their child needs this kind of reading material it should be given to them at home. Not forced upon them. No wonder the world is so messed up. I applaude the parents that spoke up.
- Ann Theresa, Portland Ct

An active parent would have had discussions with their children regarding these topics long before they hit high school.

The world has changed. And many HS kids today know more about the "real world" than their parents.

Actually, maybe the parents should read these books!

Kudos to Campbell for preparing their charges for the what goes on outside their walls!
- Angelo M, Manchester, NH

I don't like that my tax dollars are going toward the teaching of any set of values. If the values that are being taught don't match yours, you are just out of luck. Please, parents, take back your children's education. Don't fight for your values to override the next person's values.
- Cathleen, Center Barnstead

It is interesting how all of those standing up for the books are only doing so for PC and political reasons.

There is also the issue that every parent complaining pays taxes for those schools. They have every right to demand their kids be taught, not indoctrinated.

Then there is the issue that none of these books really deal with the topic at hand: Love/Gender/Family unless, of course, dysfunction, drug addiction, violence, rape and abortion is how you define it.

Finally, not one of these books or short stories are worthy from a literary perspective to be taught anywhere. Having read all but one, none of the three I read are worthy of any literary merit (they are particularly juvenile entries from the normally adroit King and even Hemingway, never a terribly deep writer, obviously had a bad day.)

On several fronts, we could and should do better by our children.
- William Simpson, Concord

While I agree that the subject matter may be inappropriate or offensive to some families, I'm wondering why the woman organized the "lynch mob" and came to the School Board meeting. She settled it with the Superintendent and Principal already. Was it simply to garner publicity?

"Sue Ann Johnson, who first raised concerns after finding the stories in her son's backpack, said she met yesterday morning with Litchfield Superintendent Elaine Cutler and Campbell Principal Bob Manseau and said that they indicated the material would no longer be used in the classroom."
- Bob, Litchfield, NH

If would-be censors want to control what their children are exposed to, they should home school their children and leave the rest of us alone.

Susan, Colebrook

Then maybe the school board could include the Bible in its approved reading material. Yes it's all good in the schools so long as the words God or Jesus are stricken from corrupting the children.

Yes let's talk censorship shall we. Morals vs. well immoral behaviors.
- Deb, Derry

Susan, you have things backward. If you want your child to be exposed to sexually explicit literature (some of us call that porn) and other adult literature, feel free to read such books with your children. But leave other kids alone. We prefer to teach our kids that sex is a beautiful expression of love- and then discuss as a family topics such as rape, homosexuality, etc. I tried to raise my kids (both happy, healthy young adults now) to have my values, not scoiety's twisted values.
- Amelia, Manchester

-My children are being forced to accept homosexuality when this is something I don't agree with," said Gandia.-
How do you agree or disagree with Homosexuality? It exists, it's always existed, and it is not a debatable topic. So this wonderful Rep. for the state doesn't want her son/daughter to go to college where he will most likely have a gay professor or roommate or have to read much more "objectionable" stories. What's he going to do then? Isn't it the teachers job to prepare the students for college and real life (the real life where mommy doesn't fight battles for your 'own good'). She then continued to say, "When did acceptance of homosexuality become part of my child's education?" This is awful. just plain awful. It education. Teachers are to educate students on life and war and math and science and love and family and everything else. If you don't teach acceptance, tolerance, etc you have not taught at all. Gandia must have had some awful teachers, because she turned out to be an awful person. There is a large gap between "acceptance" and tolerance. And regardless of what she'll say later, in the heat of the moment she told the world she did not "accept homosexuality." That is just plain hateful and is is un-"acceptable."
- Hogan, Manchester

I am a Language Arts teacher in NH and I can assure you that this subject matter is not in any so called "approved" curriculum. See for yourself. Google "NH frameworks" and you will get the link to the NH Language Arts Reading Curriculum. This teacher has chosen to use her LA class to promote some kind of personal agenda, and this is unacceptable. Also, the "prepared for college" rationale is bogus. The themes she is covering would most likely be electives one could take under a social sciences curriculum, or perhaps an English elective for the King writings.
The real issue is that in high school, if you check the NH curriculum, the emphasis is on developing skills, not being exposed to controversial material. It's just not necessary. Kids today are exposed to all kinds of controversial topics in the media and on the internet, and until they leave for college at 18, its the job of their parents, not an English teacher, to help them form their moral boundaries.
- Bill, Manchester, nh

Chris, I agree. What I find interesting is that the parents act as if thay are (allagedly) unfamiliar with the material in the stories, if the reaction to the reading of that passage is any indication.
- WM, Norwich CT

yay! here we go again, banning books in schools to purify the child's thoughts! It's even funnier when you consider that the media exposes them to even worse examples of degradation and drug use on a daily basis but do they shut off their cable? This is grade-A hypocrisy and a sham. Somebody here is eying a run for office, just watch. This is how it starts. Next will be a movement to ban evolution in the science books, then a run for school board.
- joe t, derry nh

If would-be censors want to control what their children are exposed to, they should home school their children and leave the rest of us alone. If you disagree with something in your childs's curriculum, you have an opportunity known as a "teachable moment," although personally I think the lesson here should be maturity and tolerance. In any event, these are high school students, not first graders, and they are capable of reading and forming opinions in conjunction with discussion. It's called developing critical thinking skills. Sounds to me like these parents want to control what their kids think, not what they read.
- Susan, Colebrook

They are making them read Stephen King? That's creepy.
- Steve, Pembroke

I attended this meeting last night to observe. The question was raised, did this curriculum get approved at the STATE level? If so, this could be coming to a school near you. Parents need to be aware that there is an agenda in these schools. I would suggest contacting Cornerstone if you run into something similar in your school. Schools need to EDUCATE NOT INDOCTRINATE.
- Ann Marie, Bedford, NH

Heaven forbid we teach kids tolerance! There is a huge difference between tolerance and acceptance. In light of recent events where hatred resulted in a shooting at the Holocaust Museum, I would think you would want your children to learn tolerance of differences. How are they going to function in the real world outside of little Litchfield? They are going off to college someday. Wouldn't it be nice that they were prepared for that transition? Ignorance, hatred, and bigotry these are the evils of the world. Wake-up!
- Shelly, Manchester

Given what's on tv these days, are these stories really that bad...or is it some parents creating a stink about them because they're that bored. These are HS students anyways, not elementary age, and, regardless of where you live, these topics are a part of our modern American culture. Get with the times people!
- Stephanie, Concord

Forced acceptance of homosexuality, deviant behavior and the liberal veiwpoint is part of some public school teacher's agenda. Examples. Forcing all High School students to watch brokeback mountain, forcing middle school students to watch anything from Michael Moore or Al Gore. This is not made up, my children were forced to watch all of these films.
- Kevin, Newbury, NH

What surprises me is that they didnt receive any paperwork from the school at the beginning of the year telling them what the semester reading books would be. Even the school district policy says that the parents are to be informed of explicit material. What I am wondering is if that paperwork was actually sent home but for some reason, parents didnt pay attention to it, or the children kept it form their parents. Either way, someone dropped the ball here and I dont think it was the school, educators or the district.
- Theresa, Dover NH

"...or even Hanover"

hahaha, you really know us up here in the Upper Valley!
- Tim, Canaan

There's a big difference between "acceptance" and tolerance. A parent that sends their child to public school then complains when their child reads about sex, homosexuality, and abortion needs a serious reality check.

This is high school, let them be prepared for college and the real world. When the school starts asking the kids to engage in these behaviors, then we'll talk.
- Bonnie, Manchester, NH

High school kids aren't learning anything from these stories that they don't already know. God forbid the teacher didn't assign aesop's fables to these YOUNG ADULTS. The world is full of ugly things, fortunately short stories aren't one of them.
- Chris, Manchester