Blast from the Past

In the local paper tomorrow you are likely to read about Catherine Capy and her new book. She is apparently doing a book signing out at the Green Oak shopping center. Tomorrow's discussion is likely to dredge up discussion about racism, book burning and the controversy in Howell Schools.

Two years ago Ms. Capy used a book, Freedom Writers Diary, in her class without approval from the district. Some parents complained about the book and she was asked to stop using the text. The Board then started looking at some of the other texts that were being taught. A firestorm ensued.

You elected me to ask the tough questions. So when the district couldn't produce a list of approved books used in the classrooms, and the list that came home with the students had 30-titles listed and no other information, I was concerned. Parents told me, and the Board, that they wanted more information about the books their kids were being assigned. Unfortunately, after much discussion, controversy, accusations and debate, nothing changed. Parents still are under a "reader beware" advisement, as they will probably get no more information than a list of book titles that they are charged with reading to see if the content is appropriate for their child.

That isn't the story you are likely to hear in the paper or from Ms. Capy. I am sure that there will be talk of the supposed racism that drove the book complaints, but when I heard from parents about their concerns with the books, there was never any mention of racism. So why in the world would that even be an issue?

Howell has a terrible reputation for being racist. It is largely undeserved and based on some guy who lived north of town and was a member of the KKK. Because of this reputation, some folks are constantly trying to prove that we are not a racist community. They don't understand that you can't talk your way out of a situation you behaved your way into. That goes for people and communities. The best thing we could do is to stop dwelling on the past and be kind and respectful to everyone.

Unfortunately, the racism issue is a red herring put forth to mask the real issue, that HPS still doesn't have a scope and sequence. We still don't have a list of approved books and movies being used in the district. Why? Here is an e-mail from that time period that may shed some light on the issue:

This is from Power Politics & Money

From: McDowell, Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 9:57 AM
To: All HPS Teachers/Principals
Subject: Important message from the HEA Executive Committee

Howell Teachers,
We write this email in great dismay at the recent action by the Director of Curriculum to place a great burden on the already overworked teachers in this District. By now you may have received the recent email from Jeanne Farina regarding the logging and listing by teachers of supplemental materials used in their classroom. If you have not, it is quoted below. Not only does this possibly violate the contractual agreement to not force teachers into non-teaching duties, but it also places a great burden on teachers to perform the District’s work without any fair compensation.

As one elementary teacher wrote:

“If I were to include all materials, including teacher professional books containing worksheets, my classroom library, guided reading library, poetry, read alouds, biography library, videos, maps, posters and anything else I am forgetting, I would have to list close to 1000 items?! This is NOT an exaggeration! I have spent years building a curriculum that the district has failed to provide me-- and now I'm supposed to spend a weekend sending her a list? Perhaps I should send HPS a bill?”

At this time, the Union leadership suggests that you do not use the supplemental materials you have in your classroom until the District devises a plan that does not constitute a hardship for teachers and require teachers to perform non-teaching duties.

If these supplemental materials are those which you have personally purchased, it is suggested that you begin taking these materials home.

If you find that you simply cannot take these materials home because the District has not provided you with any other curriculum to teach, then please make this situation known by emailing Jeanne Farina and the members of the School Board. School Board member’s emails can be found on the District’s website.

If you have supplemental materials in your classroom that the District has purchased, we suggest that you not use them until the District has sent a representative to log and list these materials and have them approved by the Curriculum Council.

Yours in Solidarity,

HEA Executive Committee

Jeanne Farina’s email:

“At our recent principals’ meeting we discussed the need to identify all supplemental materials used by our teachers. Supplemental means – anything used with a group of students to enhance the approved core curriculum.

Please ask your teachers to list these resources on the attached grid. We will compile the lists by grade and subject. The information will be discussed and approved at the next K-12 curriculum meeting. We are compiling these lists for core subjects only, at this time. (E.g. Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA)

Thank you in advance for your assistance.”