Walton Co. School Board Meets about Blithe Spirit!!

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/10181/1

Read the article!

The article refers only to Destin Assembly - were they the original force behind this?

bottom line the christian did prevail no matter what the vote was.....

You actually do believe one can't be a Christian and be in favor of the presentation of this play don't you! That is amazing to me. And so very sad and intolerant.

............. At the end of the day, it isn't about one religion winning out over evil heathens, or vise-versa, it is about societies tolerance the uncensored expression of creativity that both the writers of the plays, and the actors in said plays, unquestionably deserve.

Well stated!

Seriously, isn't some nascent command of English and grammar necessary to declare oneself a true thespian, or any other kind of thespian? Drama is a language art, after all.

Of all the things I saw tonight that bothered me, the appalling level of grammar used by not just many of the speakers but also the board left me feeling really sad. Further, there was no intellectual discussion of the work and it's actual content beyond "it's a farce." I doubt many in attendance knew the word farce. The level of discourse in determining the curriculum for educating the children of our community just isn't acceptable.

And when I heard that there was a similar fight in a neighboring county opposing the production of To Kill a Mockingbird by the NAACP....I mean, one of the most important works that helped galvanize the civil rights movement? It's like intellectual and liberal are dirty words or foreign concepts. Will I have to send my children off to boarding school at the age of twelve to make sure they're equipped to succeed in the world outside NW Florida?

Ditto that. Some of Truethespian's posts have made my head spin trying to read and interpret ....

.

Ditto that. Some of Truethespian's posts have made my head spin trying to read and interpret ....

When reading their posts, I kept thinking to myself......Do all of these kids have the same English teacher? If so, I think that Truethespian was not paying attention in class!!!!

In formal education, a curriculum (plural curricula) is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow and mature in becoming adults.

Has Anyone bothered to look up the definition of "Curriculum"? Here we have another of those famous "It depends on the definitions of the word "IS"" routines.

HOW, may I ask, can the play REMAIN in the Schools "Curriculum"? and NOT be available as a PLAY! It "IS" a play after all. As an example "This IS as Television.. LOOK but don't touch. You CAN'T turn it on BUT take my word for it, this IS what it IS".

UNDERSTAND??!

We need some REAL legal counsel here. The Drama department is being discriminated against by being denied access to materials that WERE approved to be in the School's CURRICULUM.

I didn't want to make this point until AFTER the ruling had been rendered because it COULD have been used against us BUT. ....Look it up, folks.

They have GOT TO "TEACH" IT now!

NOT just "make it available in the library".

Just my humble opinion

"Sharon Roberts and Darrell Barnhill dissenting"

Does anybody know when these two are up for re-election.
HOPEFULLY 2008!

It sounds to me as if Mr. Ewing has made his position very clear. He maintains that neither the school board nor parents can tell him what he can or can't allow, and he will not allow any play with any adult theme to be presented.

I think the safe conclusion would be that if you want your children to be able to explore these themes, you must provide another outlet for them, since the schools will not allow it. We are fortunate in this community to have such outlets.

It is sad to see public schools, which have the potential to be the center of the community, reduced to nothing more than a place where kids go to get a piece of paper that says they have attended and passed the tests.

Personally that is not a threat. You just have a problem with people you have different oppions than yourself. Also some other things that surprised me was that the thespian president did not even defend her troupe and something even more surprising the drama teacher did not defend his department. I mean even Jake Lehman defended his size. I think it is time that the drama department stepped up to the plate.

As the Vice President of the Thespian Society, my speech was on their behalf, as well as anyone else involved in the Drama department. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time for everyone to express our opinions, so we had to condense a bit. Our president is a GREAT leader, and no one has any right to say otherwise. Our drama teacher DID want to speak, but the administration advised him against it.

"Sharon Roberts and Darrell Barnhill dissenting"

Does anybody know when these two are up for re-election.
HOPEFULLY 2008!

Three more years.

Also note that these two are the board members that the voters of SoWal put in office. Darrell Barnhill is the board member representing the schools south of the bay, and was the better of choices we had to pick from in the last election. Sharon Roberts represents the DeFuniak area. However, she grew up in SoWal, she used to work at ECMS and she won her election by a landslide, defeating two other older, well-seasoned candidates, partly due to the endorsement of the Emerald Coast Board of Realtors. Very few people in DeFuniak Springs actually know her, as she has historically worked in the SoWal schools and spent her weekends with her parents. I do know her, and I will not speak ill of her.

However, this does make twice now I haven't agreed with her decision about something. ;-)

btw, I nominate jdarg to run for school board in 2010.

btw, I nominate jdarg to run for school board in 2010.

I second that motion....do we have a third.

btw, I nominate jdarg to run for school board in 2010.

You are nuttier than a fruitcake.

I don't know how those people sat on that stage last night and maintained a straight face through some of the "performances". I think that is a talent one must have to be on any board!

CAUTION Ahead! Boring Rhetoric Crossing ;-)

Last week I watched the movie PAPERCLIPS (movie documentary of a years long Student Holocaust Project -- promoting Tolerance). A powerfully presented message made EVEN MORE thought provoking because I'd just finished reading INFIDEL -- Ayaan Hirsi Ali's memoir of growing up Muslim in the modern era (and ultimately seeking REFUGE from the oppression).

Both advocate tolerance...while simultaneously cautioning against becoming enslaved to sheep-over-the-cliff political correctness.

For me, Analyzing these two works (Hitler Era vs. 'Modern' Era Fundamentalism) back-to-back ... alongside this local Blithe Spirit controversy ... has proven to be a Worthwhile Educational & Thought Provoking Comparison to say the least.

What choice...what slant...what perspective?
To Fight FOR something?
To Fight AGAINST something?
Fight or FLight?

The RIGHT to FREEDOM of SPEECH (for all perspectives) maybe the only thing worth "fighting" FOR.

Thoughts...Discussion...Feedback...Anyone?

Of course one first requires the FREEDOM and ACCESS to read, see, hear, think, question, compare, evaluate & experience a wide range of matter in order to express thoughtfully, eh?

Three more years.

Also note that these two are the board members that the voters of SoWal put in office. Darrell Barnhill is the board member representing the schools south of the bay, and was the better of choices we had to pick from in the last election. Sharon Roberts represents the DeFuniak area. However, she grew up in SoWal, she used to work at ECMS and she won her election by a landslide, defeating two other older, well-seasoned candidates, partly due to the endorsement of the Emerald Coast Board of Realtors. Very few people in DeFuniak Springs actually know her, as she has historically worked in the SoWal schools and spent her weekends with her parents. I do know her, and I will not speak ill of her.

However, this does make twice now I haven't agreed with her decision about something. ;-)

Here's the good news...education/knowledge is power. Sometimes we are forced to get to "know" those we are dealing with in civic politics because of hot topic situations. As long as the wheels are turning smoothly, we can go about our daily business. Now, just like back when people needed to get to know the members of the BCC, the school board is on notice...they have been noticed. Remember...it's business as usual, until someone either rocks the boat or questions a policy. Walton County politics/politicians should be on notice...people are watching, learning and will vote accordingly. I also might add that I see SoWal.com becoming the place to get information...there is no "going back". I won't even get started on this "Christian" vibe permeating this thread.

I wish Dune- Ahh would teach high school.

Re: Miss Kitty AND Dune-AHH:

What I saw was the School Board APPROVE the play to be taught AS IS left INTACT in the School CURRICULUM! Then I heard the Principal and the School Administrator say they would NOT abide by that ruling.

Period.

I really dont think you all should be focusing on the use of grammar in a discussion forum. This is not a formal essay. That is not what this is about. And by the way i scored a 6 on my FCAT writing which is the highest you can recieve and there were only 10 students out of my entire class. I think that says a lot about my writing skills.

I really dont think you all should be focusing on the use of grammar in a discussion forum. This is not a formal essay. That is not what this is about. And by the way i scored a 6 on my FCAT writing which is the highest you can recieve and there were only 10 students out of my entire class. I think that says a lot about my writing skills.

No, unfortunately, that says a lot about low expectations...teaching tests, and the absence of "critical thinking skills" in today's students in this area--not just Walton County, but much of Florida.

I really dont think you all should be focusing on the use of grammar in a discussion forum. This is not a formal essay. That is not what this is about. And by the way i scored a 6 on my FCAT writing which is the highest you can recieve and there were only 10 students out of my entire class. I think that says a lot about my writing skills.

An FCAT writing score means absolutely nothing, unless you are the government, school administrator, or teacher- all who are concerned about their funding based on the scores. I have seen top-scoring standardized test writing samples that I would have guessed were written by a 10 year old. I hope you have a lot more to put on your resume other than your FCAT score.

I really dont think you all should be focusing on the use of grammar in a discussion forum. This is not a formal essay. That is not what this is about. And by the way i scored a 6 on my FCAT writing which is the highest you can recieve and there were only 10 students out of my entire class. I think that says a lot about my writing skills.

Honestly, I'm greatly relieved to see that you are capable of writing so well. And I also want to apologize, I didn't realize that you are a child.

But remember, every rule has an exception, and for I before E except after C the exception is receive. I always had trouble with that word until I learned that line.

No, unfortunately, that says a lot about low expectations...teaching tests, and the absence of "critical thinking skills" in today's students in this area--not just Walton County, but much of Florida.

Goodwitch, I wish you could sit through an underclassmen English class in SWHS. Everything revolves around FCAT writing. Although it goes back even farther. I've seen it in the middle school. They've changed the typical writing format to accomodate the FCAT. After many students leave high school, they are unfamiliar with proper writing formats because they have been taught FCAT standards their whole life.

Although that goes for every subject. Most teachers are only teaching material if it's on the FCAT. It's sad, to say the least.

But I guess this topic is for another thread.

Goodwitch, I wish you could sit through an underclassmen English class in SWHS. Everything revolves around FCAT writing. Although it goes back even farther. I've seen it in the middle school. They've changed the typical writing format to accomodate the FCAT. After many students leave high school, they are unfamiliar with proper writing formats because they have been taught FCAT standards their whole life.

Although that goes for every subject. Most teachers are only teaching material if it's on the FCAT. It's sad, to say the least.

But I guess this topic is for another thread.

And I think the thread should be entitled Did you know they don't teach the theory of evolution in Walton County Public Schools? Someone else start it, though...I don't want to be a poo-stirrer.

Personally that is not a threat. You just have a problem with people you have different oppions than yourself. Also some other things that surprised me was that the thespian president did not even defend her troupe and something even more surprising the drama teacher did not defend his department. I mean even Jake Lehman defended his size. I think it is time that the drama department stepped up to the plate. And i was at the same meeting so apparently you were not paying attention to the superintendent when she made her comment and when ewing made his. But, yes i do agree with the people you critized ewing. He really does need a slap upside the head...im just saying.

who spells "opinion" "oppinion"? honestly...

Please remember we practice censorship on this forum.

South Walton = SoWal

Thanks!

Viva La SoWal High Drama !!!

I really dont think you all should be focusing on the use of grammar in a discussion forum. This is not a formal essay. That is not what this is about. And by the way i scored a 6 on my FCAT writing which is the highest you can recieve and there were only 10 students out of my entire class. I think that says a lot about my writing skills.

I think that it really speaks for your gullibility. What reasonable person determines their intelligence by an FCAT score?

Please remember we practice censorship on this forum.

South Walton = SoWal

Thanks!

Viva La SoWal High Drama !!!

sorry o' great one :roll: