We recently reprinted a letter from combat veteran Maj. Terry Thomas, USMCR (Vet Strikes Back.)
What follows are two response letters from Principal Susan Dersé of West Seattle High.
UPDATE: At bottom is also a letter from the School board.
Dear friend,I appreciate your writing to me about what took place in the school theater prior to the Iraq assembly held last Friday at West Seattle High School. I am enclosing for you a copy of the letter I sent home with students the Tuesday following the assembly, as it may provide additional information or insights for you on this situation, and my handling of it.
Our students were wrong to provide a biased warm up skit prior to our assembly. When I discovered that they had done so, and that they had invited others from the community to participate in the activity, I called the activity to an immediate halt. The stage was cleared, the actors changed out of their costumes, and the theater became once again a neutral environment in which our students would hear multiple perspectives on the war in Iraq so as to form their own opinions.
It was only at that time that we permitted our student body to enter the theater for the assembly. When I received a letter of complaint from Major Thomas about the warm up activity, I did call the Major and apologized to him for the reception he receivd when he arrived at the theater about fifteen minutes before the assembly was to start.
On behalf of our school, I personally called Major Thomas and apologized. We spoke for around 20 minutes. He asked for a copy of the letter I sent home with our students about the incident, and I have sent that letter to him.
Here is the letter. I honor you for writing,
Susan Dersé
Principal
Here’s the letter sent to parents after this incident:
Dear West Seattle High School Families,I am writing this letter to clarify information that has recently appeared in the news media regarding an assembly held on Friday, March 11. The assembly, which was organized by students with the guidance of faculty advisors and administrators, dealt with the complex and timely issue of the war in Iraq. This topic is both emotional and controversial, as individuals have varied views and perspectives on this issue.
Using our School Board policies (G04.00) and procedures (GO4.01) on Controversial Issues, the activity was structured in a balanced, objective and fair manner. A panel composed of speakers with varying perspectives was formed. The allocated speaking time for each presenter was divided equally. All panel members were made aware that each participant would be treated in a respectful and equitable manner.
On the day of the assembly, approximately 15 minutes before its start, I was made aware of a dramatic production in the theater. The presentation involved the representation of war in Iraq. I immediately asked those students and adults involved in the dramatic presentation to cease the activity. They did comply with my request. At no time did any of our students witness the production except for those individuals directly involved in the re-enactment. Because of the performance’s emotional nature, I believed it would unfairly influence students’ opinions prior to the panel discussion regarding the war. I firmly believe that schools should be open environments for appropriate and respectful dialogue regarding important topics and issues. Certainly, the war in Iraq is such an issue. However, the dramatization of the events was in direct conflict with the intent of the assembly and the policies set forth by the district policies.
I am continuing to work with those students and their advisors in understanding this sensitive issue. Some of our military panelists were deeply offended by this dramatic production and felt unfairly targeted because of their service to our country. I certainly regret and apologize for that misunderstanding and want to remind all that our school as well as others in Seattle honor and celebrate our veterans every year and in many ways. While we cannot shy away from these tough issues, you have my commitment to approach them in a fair, thoughtful and respectful manner.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and school.
Sincerely,
Susan Dersé
Principal
UPDATE: The School Board Responds
Thank you for your comments about the Iraq Awareness Assembly at West Seattle High School. This event has been a learning experience for students at West Seattle High School as they listened to highly-respected community members with a broad range of experiences in the military speak in favor of or against the war in Iraq – a reflection of what is occurring in our community and our nation.Hat tip: Bill Hennessy Posted by Brian Crouch at March 24, 2005 11:57 AM | Email ThisDistrict policy clearly calls for a balanced presentation and multiple perspectives on a controversial topic for student dialogue and thought. We also have to respect students’ constitutional rights for freedom of speech. We do not want to discourage the discussion of timely issues. What is important is to provide the context, perspective, and climate for a balanced and respectful dialogue.
The school board regrets any disrespect to assembly participants and organizers regarding this matter; the board president has communicated directly with them. We are also asking the Superintendent for information on the development of the presentation, so we can be assured of proper planning and supervision of all assemblies, particularly those of a controversial nature, in the future.
Joan Dingfield
Executive Assistant to the School Board
Seattle Public Schools
PO Box 34165, MS 11-010
Seattle WA 98124-1165
Ph: (206) 252-0041
Fx: (206) 252-0101
This whole situation is a white-wash. The administration and school board are hoping that with enough apologies, no one will ask just how "unauthorized" adults got into the building. This is a major breach of security, and needs to be investigated.
But I hear nothing from the parents at West Seattle HS. That speaks larger volumes than any of the rest of this. That's why so many of our public schools are so worthless - the parents don't think they are responsible for what happens. If this was the school that my children attend, I would be sitting in the principal's office demanding an explanation.
Posted by: Janet S on March 24, 2005 12:37 PMJoan Dingfield: We are also asking the Superintendent for information on the development of the presentation
If my children attended that school, I would also be interested to know who these "adults" were, if (which) "teachers" were involved, and what their reward will be.
I think that they should publish that information. The parents and other tax paying adults should demand it.
1) Ms. Dingfield's comments regarding free speech do not apply to this presentation. The first amendment is not an unlimited right to spew forth with profanity, incite violence, threaten our leaders, etc. Nor is it a right to graphically depict death in a callous and disrespectful way that is directly targeted at offending our military. There are limits to free speech and its much more about rational discourse and the right to dissenting discourse.
2) In light of this, and based on what we saw from the students it's clear that they are instead being taught a MoveOn.org style of confrontational, aggressive behavior that is the precursor to beligerant demonstrations in Downtown Seattle leading to arrests, etc. And, more importantly, there had to be an adult behind this action. Someone put these students up to this, and that person should be investigated and fired.
It's highly appropirate to discuss the exact machinations of our foreign policy and to question our decisions, but if we can't conduct our discourse in a civil manner, we are behaving more like the pre-war Iraq and less like the Unites States.
Posted by: Jeff B. on March 24, 2005 01:59 PMI understand that most high schools are pretty porous and don't have good security, but how can 40+ adults and children take over an assembly venue 15 minutes before the start? Wouldn't there be someone with school authority in that room setting up tables and chairs, etc? She's careful to say that students invited others from the community--as if to deny any faculty/staff involvement (passive or active) in this.
And why does Derse call it a "warm up" activity? It sounds like she's legitimizing it. A warm up for what? A bash session?
The school board letter didn't even sound like an apology. It should have been. Why try to suggest that this might be a freedom of speech issue? If students mocked the principal or school board through an offensive interpretive dance, we'd see some expulsions. There is no free speech in the sense that you can say anything without consequences--nor should there be.
I'll let you all know if the principal responds differently to a liberal :)
P.S. I had a laugh when I saw that there are "School Board policies (G04.00) and procedures (GO4.01) on Controversial Issues." Does anyone have a copy?
Posted by: ChrisW on March 24, 2005 02:09 PMOne, from now on when we get into these foreign set-tos, make sure we have a formal declaration of war and rigorously prosecute anyone who engages in this sort of nonsense for treason.
Second, turn the life of the school administrators into living hell with am umemding barrage of FOIA requests, lawsuits, recall elections, and so forth.
In other words, let them know your mad as hell, and you're not going to take it any more.
Posted by: Mad Dog on March 24, 2005 02:52 PMIt appears that teachers are doing this to further their own personal beliefs. On one occasion the teacher's actions appeared to be prompted by coordinated efforts by a special interest group.
Where I work there are clear and strict policies regarding political and civic activities at the workplace. I have seen policies at a parochial shool that clearly limits teachers' authorities in that regard. Does anyone know whether there are such policies within the Seattle School System?
Posted by: BenA on March 24, 2005 04:27 PMAmong others involved as sponsors or endorsers: International Socialist Organization, Green Party of Washington, Palestine Solidarity Committee, Not in our Name Project, Radical Women, SCCC Students Against War, WEST SEATTLE'S NEIGHBORS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE, etc.
"Adults involved in the dramatic presentation" ??? Shouldn't that be "Trespassing adults, who violated school securtity procedures...."
Posted by: SF Wife on March 24, 2005 04:29 PMI find it interesting that it appears she has not changed in 17+ years and kind of ironic that Maj. Thomas has had to deal with her and her baloney in this situation. Thankfully we were already graduated before she took over the school.
Her response and the response of the school board is absolutely laughable. But what do you expect in Seattle?
Posted by: Berg3 on March 24, 2005 05:18 PMWhat a weaselly response. If there were adults on campus who were NOT authorized, that's a HUGE issue. (Suppose they had been something like conservatives or Christian evangelists - that would be worth at least a sniffy editorial in the Seattle Times.) How did they get on campus? My local high school keeps an eye on anyone entering or leaving campus, especially with the concern with drugs or guns.
If these were "adults" connected with the school, then WHO WERE THEY?
Posted by: steve miller on March 24, 2005 05:52 PMI do hope that someone follows up on this matter and discovers whether or not any teachers were involved. At the very least, they should be reprimanded for allowing such activities to take place, and suspended if they promoted the activity.
Posted by: alaska boy on March 24, 2005 07:44 PMMy message pretty much followed my previous post here: the response was inadequate in that it didn't identify the adults involved and whether any were school officials present--if not, why not? I also mentioned the lack of free speech or even "school board controversial issue" policy governance here. The only "controversial issue" policy/procedure statements I came across referred specifically to how teachers instructed not how students "self taught." So it appears that there may have been teacher involvement if she's invoking that policy.
Anywho, she didn't respond directly to anything I said but provided a vanilla response that it won't happen again and that she, the students, and their advisors have a "shared vision about what school discussions of controversial issues require."
Posted by: ChrisW on March 25, 2005 10:56 AMhttp://wp.billhennessy.com/?p=637
you can sign an online petition here:
http://wp.billhennessy.com/?page_id=638
Thanks
Posted by: Bill Hennessy on March 25, 2005 11:43 AMStill, for these lions of the left to have to pull in their claws so much, must have hurt. Guess I can only say, Ms Derse', I feel your pain. ;)
Posted by: Chuck Miller on March 26, 2005 09:43 AM