Shortly after Del. Mary-Dulany James weighed in late last week with a letter on the Drama Therapy saga, Del. Rick Impallaria offered up this letter as rebuttal:
MDJ states, “…ordinarily state legislators do not, and should not, take it upon themselves to delve into critiquing or censoring local high school theater, particularly in an official capacity.” [paragraph 3]
I heartily disagree. It is the duty of every legislator to investigate how state (and local, insofar as we represent counties) tax money is spent in any area, particularly when constituents have brought abuses to our attention. The parents who initiated the queries into what happened at HdG HS were stonewalled by the school and by the HCPS administration. No information was released until help was requested from the delegate. And the administration tried to stonewall him.
On page 2, paragraph 2, MDJ states, “I have received two detailed letters from a single person expressing concerns about the content of the performance and the process of addressing these concerns.” Now, I have no doubt that the complaint letter was from a single person – I received a copy myself. However, MDJ neglects to add that that “single person” represents many others. That “single person” has taken it upon him/herself to be the point person and push the issue due to the harm done to his/her child by the drama therapy presentations.
In the next 2 paragraphs MDJ says she does not consider the effect of the drama therapy as child abuse. Again, my opinion is totally opposite. Two paragraphs later, discussing the content of the production MDJ states, “’Drama Therapy’ was R-rated with adult language and content, … ‘suitable for mature audiences only’. In high school those attending range in age from 13 to 19…” Is it suitable for 13-year-olds to watch R-rated material? Without their parents’ knowledge? Shouldn’t teachers and administrators who put on this “show” and forced the entire student body to watch be reprimanded? How many parents would allow 13-, 14-, 15-year old teens to watch an R-rated movie? MDJ admits “It seems reasonable to have required some kind of a collaboration with families so that each could choose if they wanted … to … opt out.” MDJ also says, “…my common sense and life experiences tells [sic] me that when you try to blend drama with therapy, entertainment [sic. Do we send our children to school to be entertained, or to be educated?] with raw emotions, and a public forum with..private matters, it will be hard to strike the right balance. … I imagine… [that] it requires considerable expertise and a great deal of care.” It is our contention that drama therapy, as done at HdG HS, was indeed not done with common sense, and that it does require considerable expertise. What are the qualifications of the English teachers who put on the drama therapy to do therapeutic work? They certainly did not foresee the consequences to certain members of the student body in the audience who were greatly upset by what they saw on stage. Does this not indicate a great lack of judgment on their part, and on the part of the school’s administration which failed to oversee their activities?
It is well that the school has begun to take action to address parents’ complaints about the drama therapy program. However, I want to point out that when MDJ says that “All of the school systems’ [sic] actions were undertaken long before without the need for threats”, she is not entirely accurate. Nothing was done, as I said before, to address parents’ concerns until the state delegate began making enquiries. Parents were stonewalled by the school and by the superintendent. And I don’t understand what MDJ means by “threats”. It is not in my power to fire anyone, although I can and do think that those teachers should be fired by those that have the power to do so, if they put the students’ and parents’ safety and interests first, instead of circling the wagons to protect those who have demonstrated academic incompetence and bad judgment.
Thank you, Mr. Impallaria, for being a voice of reason in this debate. I am very happy that my children don’t attend Havre de Grace High, and I would’t want them to be subjected to the topics in drama therapy, at least presented as they were. Rated R material does not have its place in the school (regardless of how other children talk in the halls)learning environment. Funny, Mary D. James’ children attend a very strict private school. I think she would feel very different if this happened in their school.
I think Saving Private Ryan, which is R rated does a great job showing students the horrors of D day. You cannot and should not shelter kids from the “real world” however the parents need to be informed of the content of the material.
I have spoken to several HdG high school students. ALL of them thought that the Drama Therapy play was not only appropriate, but that it was revelant and useful. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Delegate Impallaria. Start listening to the targeted audience and stop pandering for votes!
Since when do you and “several HDG high school students” the “target audience” make!?!?! Read the reply right above yours, is not MD mom part of the target audience!?!!? Bet she’d disagree with you on your accessment of just who is “the target audience”!!!
since he contacted or spoke to students who actually saw the play their assessment is of more value then MD Mom as she stated she does not have children that attend HDG HS. So clearly she is not a targeted audience
I and my children may not be the target audience for this situation, but this could easily affect my family in the future at the schools my children attend. When R rated material is presented in the school setting to minors without parental permission at HDG, it sets the standard for other schools to follow.
Too bad the elected officials don’t take a closer at the more everyday use of the tax payer money in the schools such as giving away video games and gift cards to prep for MSA’s. Or the failure to follow their own procedures and policies instead of riding on a hot button issue in an election year…
Just a though…says – Can you please provide an example of a school(s) providing video games and gift cards. I work with local PTA and MSA snacks are provided by great volunteers and money raised from PTA.
Let me know what school is doing that…I’m interested. I’d hate to hear about schools doing that with school funds and not PTA or funds allocated by fundraising from parents.
Thanks
Ron
Oh by the way….I’ll wait?
My guess is that the PTA’s in the schools are the ones donating money for MSA snacks. I don’t know about gift cards or video games since that never happened in my kids schools. The PTA always paid for MSA snacks. Maybe that has changed since they changed the Food Policy and you can’t give away food for “rewards.”
Mr. Impallaria:
I am very disappointed that you have chosen to spend such an inordinate amount of time on this subject, especially since the House is in session. There are so many Marylanders suffering through this recession, I would have thought you would be busy introducing and fighting for legislature to get folks back to work. I would have thought you would be busy introducing bills to hold the Wall Street criminals accountable. I would have thought you would be busy trying to get the people’s utility bills to a reasonable level. Maybe address Maryland’s infrastructure problems. Yes, you may have introduced 5 bills of little thought or substance when compared to the challenges we face, but the point is you could have channeled your efforts to make a difference. Instead, you have time to devote to a school play controversy? Really?
As I stated in an earlier post, my daughter is a recent graduate of HHS. The educators you’ve been trying to have dismissed have done a terrific job in their respective positions. What is even more important is the fact that they are dedicated to the well being of all the children in their charge. They have been trying to make a difference.
I must tell you, even though my daughter did not perform in this particular Drama Therapy show she did perform in a previous one. I was very proud of her ability to perform in front of so many people. When I read the following statement in your letter to Superintendent Tomback:
“After viewing the tape, I do believe the children who participated in the skits, as well as the students who were forced to watch them, were abused.” I viewed that statement as a careless indictment of poor parenting directed toward the parents who allowed their children to participate. I personally take great offense to your inference.
That’s your opinion!!! Guess you think you have the right to use your first ammendment and Mr. Impallaria doesn’t!!…Why am I not one little bit surprised!?!?!?? LOL!!!
The phrase you are looking for is “multitasking” – the ability of a person to perform more than one task at the same time.
Perhaps that is why he is a Delegate and you are… ?
Phil,
Perhaps if you were of importance we would send kind letters to you as well…Not
Givemeabreak,
Thank you for the comment. Next time, please try to post one that makes sense.
Phil
I felt abused watching politicians act like 2 year olds at the forth of July parade!