What Are We Teaching Our Children?

To the Editor:

We would like to thank the community for their overwhelming support of our letter to the Board of Education regarding the inappropriate administrative suspension of Sabrina Post, a highly regarded and popular teacher at Newtown High School.

Last week’s letter by Julio Carbonell, who asked us to trust school administrators to make the “right decisions” on behalf of our children, was read by us with great interest. Perhaps Mr Carbonell’s opinion might change if he was aware of the Board of Education’s lack of understanding of the resultant aftermath of their support of Dr Pitkoff’s actions on the students. We reiterate the student’s disappointment and disillusionment in the handling and “quick fix” attempts by this administration for Show Boat and their future performances such as Carnegie Hall at the end of March. Also, for the NHS seniors this fiasco will be their final remembrance of their 12-year experience in this school system. Do they deserve that?

Furthermore, we are also incredulous of the tacit acceptance that one is “guilty before proven innocent” and that it is permissible to destroy careers solely upon rumor and innuendo. Do we not teach our youth in English, history, and government that such behavior is intolerable? The actions of Dr Pitkoff and the Newtown Board of Education regarding Ms Post’s administrative suspension at worst reminds us of the Salem Witch Trials and at best reeks of McCarthyism. Is this the ideology and the role models we want our students to emulate? Are Dr Pitkoff and the Board of Education members exempt from unrestraint behavior and due process? What are we really teaching our children? I seriously doubt that Dr Pitkoff’s “ends will justify his means” in this unfortunate situation and the real losers are the students, especially those at Newtown High School.

Sincerely,

Phyllis Braun, PhD

Kevin Braun, DDS

58 Boggs Hill Road, Newtown                                February 27, 2005