Walton Co. School Board Meets about Blithe Spirit!!

[florida girl]

Re: Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"

I haven't read "Blithe Spirit" and I'm not sure that I really want to; I'm not really interested in reading nonsense. However from the sound of things it apparently includes some witchcraft, and other controversial matter. My daughter goes to SWHS, and she tells of the problems there. Drug and alcohol use, fighting, teen pregnancy, pornography, and so on. It would seem to me that the students shouldn't be encouraged so much by the administration in rebellious behavior, which is what this play apparently is. The play makes a statement to the students, and the community of what is acceptable. If it's okay on the stage, then it's okay to participate in whatever outrageous behavior they can dream up in the school. If the play goes forward, then expect consequences to follow. For example, a pep rally is intended to stimulate the students for a sucessful game. The mind is like a very complicated computer, what ever we put into it is going to come out.

 

[Bdarg]

Re: Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"

I haven't read "Blithe Spirit" and I'm not sure that I really want to; I'm not really interested in reading nonsense. However from the sound of things it apparently includes some witchcraft, and other controversial matter. My daughter goes to SWHS, and she tells of the problems there. Drug and alcohol use, fighting, teen pregnancy, pornography, and so on. It would seem to me that the students shouldn't be encouraged so much by the administration in rebellious behavior, which is what this play apparently is. The play makes a statement to the students, and the community of what is acceptable. If it's okay on the stage, then it's okay to participate in whatever outrageous behavior they can dream up in the school. If the play goes forward, then expect consequences to follow. For example, a pep rally is intended to stimulate the students for a sucessful game. The mind is like a very complicated computer, what ever we put into it is going to come out.

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Reading and functional literacy are fundamental to the success of a democracy such as ours.

Read, it is patriotic, it honors those who founded this country, and more than anything it is fundamental to this discussion.

Please read and understand the play and then we can discuss the play all you want, but on another thread.

The issue on this thread has a great deal to do about outsiders being able to hamstring the school system at their every whim. It has more to do with getting the parents and schools together to fix the system so that such matters are quickly and appropriately resolved.

As a side note:
In a quick google search I found about 3000 hits for high school and blithe spirit. Of those, the ones I read, all were high school productions of the play. I added words such as censorship, banned, and several others to searches looking for other schools that might have had problems with the play. About 50 came up; of those none that I read actually connected censorship or any of the other words to the play. That is, the words and the play came up just as coincidence.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Re: Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"

I believe everyone who cares about free speech and democracy (there are some of us left) needs to be concerned about what these people who are complaining are really up to.

What is their agenda? What is their relationship to the school? What prompted the complaint? If they do not have children in the school, then how are they involved to the point that they are dictating to the school system what can and can not be produced?

And, I believe that the procedures need to be reevaluated so that this kind of situation does not occur again.

 

[kathydwells]

Re: Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"

I haven't read "Blithe Spirit" and I'm not sure that I really want to; I'm not really interested in reading nonsense.

If you haven't read it, how do you know it is nonsense?

However from the sound of things it apparently includes some witchcraft, and other controversial matter.

Apparently you need to read the play....there is no witchcraft in it.

My daughter goes to SWHS, and she tells of the problems there. Drug and alcohol use, fighting, teen pregnancy, pornography, and so on.

My son goes to a very rural high school..guess what, there is drugs, teen pregnancy, alcohol use, fighting, and I am sure porn. They are in every school. I am more worried about those things than I am a play for goodness sakes. Where are those people that are complaining about this play when it comes to the more serious issues in the school. Why are they not out trying to change those teen pregnancy numbers, getting the drugs and porn out of the school. huh?

It would seem to me that the students shouldn't be encouraged so much by the administration in rebellious behavior, which is what this play apparently is. The play makes a statement to the students, and the community of what is acceptable. If it's okay on the stage, then it's okay to participate in whatever outrageous behavior they can dream up in the school. If the play goes forward, then expect consequences to follow. For example, a pep rally is intended to stimulate the students for a sucessful game. The mind is like a very complicated computer, what ever we put into it is going to come out.

I am curious, does your daughter watch TV? If so, she is being exposed to so much more than what this play is about. This is a comedy for crying out loud. I really think you need to read the play before you cast your judgements. I don't think Blithe Spirit is going to turn good kids into evil beings. I know the ones that acted it out when I was going to school all those years ago are still fine and dandy. And, those of us that actually went to see the play didn't turn out so bad either. Sometimes, there just are no words.

 

[florida girl]

Re: Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"

When my daughter was in HS, her drama teacher wanted to do it but school admin vetoed due to the ghosts and s?ance but this was a private Christain school.

I personally would see nothing wrong with it.

If you haven't read it, how do you know it is nonsense?
Apparently you need to read the play....there is no witchcraft in it.

"due to the ghosts and s?ance" qualifies it as witchcraft. Actually, I don't read fiction, and haven't for about 25 years. Don't have time.

My son goes to a very rural high school..guess what, there is drugs, teen pregnancy, alcohol use, fighting, and I am sure porn. They are in every school. I am more worried about those things than I am a play for goodness sakes. Where are those people that are complaining about this play when it comes to the more serious issues in the school. Why are they not out trying to change those teen pregnancy numbers, getting the drugs and porn out of the school. huh?

A mountain of serious issues begins with 1 step. How exactly do you suggest we tackle the issues plaguing our schools, if we don't examine what is being taught and sponsored? Garbage in, garbage out.

I am curious, does your daughter watch TV? If so, she is being exposed to so much more than what this play is about. This is a comedy for crying out loud. I really think you need to read the play before you cast your judgements. I don't think Blithe Spirit is going to turn good kids into evil beings. I know the ones that acted it out when I was going to school all those years ago are still fine and dandy. And, those of us that actually went to see the play didn't turn out so bad either. Sometimes, there just are no words.

Sure we watch TV. I do however talk with my kids about what's on it, and we really don't enjoy quite a number of programs. These are our children, they reflect us, and they learn from us. The problems in school are a result. As much as you insist that there is nothing wrong with the choices you've made, how can you complain with the results?

 

[Miss Kitty]

Re: Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"

...what happens when the children grow up and have minds of their own?

Please excuse me for cluttering up this thread...it is an important one.

 

[Minnie]

Re: Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"

I have no horse in this race but since I did comment at the beginning, prior to knowing what race I was entering, I will go on record and say I see absolutely nothing wrong about this play. And the funny thing about my daughter's school was they vetoed Blythe Spirit and replaced it with Midsummer's Night's Dream. Which went from ghosts to fairies.

You can't teach history, literature, or drama without encountering some ghosts, etc. Surely no one would protest Macbeth, and if so that is truly sad.

One of my favorite high school memories is acting out parts of Macbeth and my 2 best friends and I did the 3 witches scene. It did not corrupt us in the least. Double, double, toil and trouble. Complete with a caldron and dry ice.

Students do not need to be programmed like computers they need to be given guidance and educated, so they can make decisions on their own.

If this controversy had not arisen most students would not have even given a thought to the possiblity of it being inappropriate. The publicity certainly will though.

 

[florida girl]

Re: Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"

...what happens when the children grow up and have minds of their own?

Please excuse me for cluttering up this thread...it is an important one.

Let's hope that it's theirs, based on facts, knowing both sides of an issue. With strength and courage to speak for what they believe, regardless of popularity.

 

[florida girl]

Re: Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"

... I don't think Blithe Spirit is going to turn good kids into evil beings. I know the ones that acted it out when I was going to school all those years ago are still fine and dandy. And, those of us that actually went to see the play didn't turn out so bad either.

To answer, the students in the high school today are the children of those who, "are fine and dandy and didn't turn out so bad" along with the children of those who did.
Have you never heard the saying, a root in the grandparent, a bush in the parent, a tree in the child? Our kids tend to take everything a step further. Yet, we have problems in our schools. Why? I think the answer is found at home. You made the choices to live and believe and act on what you did, and your children have learned those things and will go further. Why do we need birth control in middle school?

 

[30A Skunkape]

Re: Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"

Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction.