rant?

Bravo!

Thank you! It seems like everyone complains about how kids act these days but if you make a move to correct anything they fly up into arms about it.

I never said I wanted any book banned. I feel that the appropriate way to handle this book or any other book with questionable content is to lable it and put it on the reserved shelf in the library where the other books of this nature are kept. There are plenty of other books to choose from to use as class assignments.__When I registered my kids for school, I was given a paper to sign if I want my children restricted from certain books in the library. I do not sign that paper, it is not up to the school to restrict my child. However, as a parent, I am responsible to teach my children so that they will make choices that we feel are good and right. I feel that now is the time for my kids to practice making choices while they can have some guidance and the safety net of parents. If my child were to come home with a book labeled for content then it would be a time for discussion and teaching/learning (on both my and my child's account). I do not over-shelter my kids. I see nothing wrong with wanting them to have space where they don't have to be under constant barrage of profanity, sex, etc. as everyone realizes goes on among peers.

cont'd...
The argument for the book being in the classroom is that it is a story kids can relate to and is uplifting and inspiring in the end. There are numerous book that have an uplifting story for teenagers to relate to without the profanity, references to drug use and sexual content. This is not the only book in the world to use for the purpose of teaching children about situations in life.
I am not a supporter of book bans. I believe that people should be free to make choices like these for themselves. However, when a teacher made this book a required assignment, she took away my son's freedom to NOT read this book and be exposed to the questionable and offensive content. I believe this book should be avaliable on the library shelf with a marking of some sort warning of questionable content so that a student may be free to make a choice. However, I feel that it does not belong in the classroom as a reading assignment.
Thanks for your time! :)

cont'd...
During this report, Cheryl Marcum is shown in a meeting with the officials and she states that the profanity is not discussed in the classroom and if it were, the teacher would know how to handle it. My opinion is that, discussed in class or not, my child has been required to read those words and they are now in his mind. He has been required to read of sexual situations and suggestions of drug use and now has those things in his mind.
Many argue that children are exposed to these things all the time anyway. This is a non sequitur. Situations of all kinds happen all the time, but when authority sets up a standard of behavior to hold people responsible to, there are no excuses. Behavior begins with thought. We have put these thoughts into our children's minds but think we are somehow safe from them behaving in like fashion because we tell them they shouldn't. Any child psychologist will tell you that example is the greatest influence on a child's behavior. This sort of reasoning on the behalf of the adults is irresponsible, especially in an "educational" setting.

I want to add my thoughts to this.
My son stated in the report that he felt the book was inappropriate for required reading. Several months ago, my son wrote a letter to the editor of our newspaper here but never submitted it due to adverse... reactions and threats from other students. I read the letter and found that he had several valid points that should be addressed. He was feeling a little shy to talk with Paul about it at the time of the interview so I would like to address them here, now.
Seth reasoned that the book is inappropriate for required reading at his school because it is in direct conflict with the standards of behavior published in the school's code of conduct. According to the student handbook, profanity is unacceptable on campus. Students are punished if they use profanity at school. However, a teacher can require a student to read a book that has profanity in it? It is inconsistent and undermines the students' respect for the school's code of conduct. It gives the students the idea there is a double standard in their school and that the administration and staff do not stand united in their efforts to educate the kids.