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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 3, 1998 - 7 LETTERS Validity of sex ed program questioned To the Editor: At the Feb. 16 Durham school board meeting some pointed questions were raised over an American sex-ed document being taught to mentally handicapped students aged 15 to 21, but who, according to Bev Freedman, board superintendent of educa- tion programs, have the mental capacity of three to five-year- olds. : It seems most of the audience thought the material in the sex kit Life Facts Sexuality was inappropriate if not pornograph- 1c, and that it taught homosexu- ality and shouldn't be in our schools -- period. Ms Freedman's defense of the program was unconditional, and many of her answers were long on rhetoric and short on credibility. According to Freedman, the main purpose of teaching the sex-ed kit is to street-proof the mentally handicapped against sexual abuse. She said they don't teach them about homosexuality, because they wouldn't under- stand it. And she assured the public that all the teachers teach- ing the kit were specially trained to deliver the information sensi- tively to these handicapped stu- dents. During the question period some interesting contradictions came to light. Life Facts Sexuality is described by the publishers as a kit containing "All the essential materials and information necessary to teach human sexuality to adolescents and adults with mild develop- mental and learning disabili- ties." Nowhere in the kit is street- proofing, coercion, seduction or inappropriate touching dis- cussed. Nor does the kit point out the type of person that is most likely to molest the men- tally handicapped. The kit states that it defines intercourse "in homosexual as well as heterosexual terms," and teachers are admonished to "emphasize the positive aspects of sexual intercourse as much as the risks." The kit also states that, "Homosexual feelings and behavior are mentioned through- out the lessons" and that for the mentally handicapped teen, "Homosexual relationships may be the only available avenue for expression." So contrary to Ms Freedman's claims and board policy, homosexuality is being taught through this program in Durham, and the kit is designed to teach sex, not street-proofing. When it was pointed out to Freedman that it would appear that homosexuality was indeed being taught against board poli- cy, she said that these specially trained teachers didn't, in fact, necessarily teach from the kit. However, public attention was first drawn to the contentious sexed kit by a supply teacher who was appalled by some of the material and sketches in the kit and found one particularly offensive. One has to seriously question the competence of board officials, spending money on such a con- troversial kit and defending it, when, in fact, they don't teach what's in the kit, according to Freedman, and the prime objec- tive of street proofing the men- tally handicapped is never even mentioned in the American Life Facts Sexuality program. Nor does the program mention the type of sexual predator these unfortunate would-be-victims should look out for. And since Ms Freedman states that these students aren't taught about homosexuals because they wouldn't under- stand it, one must wonder what other aspects of the kit they wouldn't understand? This statement by Ms Turn to page 10 Students say occurrences are factual To the Editor: In response to your concerns about the reputa- tion of Linda Craig, a primary teacher at Cartwright Central Public School, the "allegations" as you call them have proven to be more than such, time and time again. As two students in our final year at Port Perry High School we oft, as children, felt the thrash of Linda Craig's anger. It is within our deepest regret to inform you that such occurrences, as dis- cussed in the Feb. 17 article, are factual. As stu- dents of hers nine years ago in fourth grade, we were often subjected to such verbal profanities as "shut up," "you're a liar," and other put downs. We felt discouraged and insecure about our work as it had been thrown on the floor and we had been told to "fetch." We find now, nine years later, she has been moved to a class with younger children. As time slowly crept on us and we reflected upon our youth, we were faced with the article as presented in the Feb. 17 issue of The Port Perry Star. Our mouths were ajar in awe and utter annoyance at the negligence of the school's admin- istration, the PTA, and the proper board officials. We hope that any snap judgements made regarding this teacher's innocence will be cast aside after another confirmation of abuse. We as students have encountered many personality con- flicts with professors over our educational careers and we have experienced the frustration of having to show respect, and literally turn the other cheek, when faced with such conflicts. So in con- clusion, we as former students of Mrs. Craig feel that, although the method in which the article was written may not have been the most appro- priate way to inform the citizens of the situation, the content of the article, in our opinion, still remains truthful and accurate. Michelle Wylie and Sharon Pickering, Editor's Notepad CLOSE BRUSH WITH BRUTAL MUSIC UNCHAINED MELODY: It's time, folks, to ask the eternal musical question: Why do teachers give children recorders? The practice -- that of sending Grade 5 music students home with the high-pitched plastic instruments, along with sheet music which is rarely, if ever, consulted -- ought to be re-examined, if only for the reason that it's dangerous. Recorders are a threat to one's hearing, and indeed, sanity. Take this case: You trudge through the door at home on a Monday night, happy just to have survived the bustle of the busiest day of the week and looking forward to relaxing in the peace and warmth of the family domicile. But upon opening the door you're greeted by a -- sound -- which is akin to nothing you've heard before. Sounds like Born Free being played on a penny whistle by an acid head with a hatred for lions. As you're about to ask if the batteries in the smoke alarms need to be changed, a 10-year-old girl bounces into the kitchen, holding the instrument aloft: "How'd you like it?" she shouts, "How'd you like it?" As you're searching for an answer, she pries the plastic mouthpiece from the instrument, draws a deeper breath than you'd have imagined possible, and blasts forth with a shrilling, screaming peal of horror straight from the bowels of Hell. Ping! is the last thing you hear as you convulse and slap yourself on the side of the head, convinced some- one's driven a knitting needle into your ear. ...When you come to, your family is gathered above you. As they determine you're all right -- but for the distinct ringing in your ears -- they disperse. Except for the girl. Brightly she chirps, "Wanna hear Born Free?" Then draws a deep breath... CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE: Got a note last week from MP Alex Shepherd, commenting on my annual appeal for a holiday in the depths of winter. Alex points out that it was due to his efforts in the form of a private member's bill that the feds deigned to officially recognize Flag Day, which falls on Feb. 15, the anniversary of the our national standard. Unfortunately, he notes, the powers that be decided against making the occasion a national holiday. Quite so. It was an oversight which, in my zeal to rally support for the mid-winter break, | was responsible for. Alex is to be congratulated for his dedication to Flag Day, which includes an annual ceremony with school kids here in Port Perry. Now if only the government would see the logic in a February long weekend, akin to the Yanks' Presidents' Day... ttings do to ever strike the state. floods and mud slides for weeks... and Florida has just experienced one of it's coldest Februarys in recent memory, and is now cleaning up from the worst torna- | cautioned him, based on my own experiences, that some kids may make fun of him and told him to try not let it bother him if he's called 'four eyes' or some other unflattering name. So although the ice huts were removed from Lake Throughout the next day my mind strayed occa- | ---- iii Satigeg as} Saturday. creeks have partially thawed sionally as | wondered how he was managing his first THIS REALLY CAN'T RE and some of our low concession roads are close to day with glasses. HH THIS REALLY CAN'T Be being covered with water from the early thaw... it's Questioning him later that night, it appeared as if it v SPRING... CANIT? more than likely we'll experience a few good snow had just been another day at school. Nobody had said iS te a StOMSYRt.. iyi anything to upset him wearing the glasses was more a ile the weather this past le r March. positive experience than | had expected. ~ Isn't it great that times have changed. DESERVE THE RECOGNITION Congratulations to Daphne and Tom Mitchell of Settlement House, on winning the prestigious Retailer e of the Year Award for Eastern Ontario. Wb... and you know the rest of the oO out like a lion. LY NOW edatschool. 80 that was a long tim The Mitchell's held an open house last Thursday 'award winning store and many people opped by to congratulate them, in this aman dl cise Gla stomisi