Mommy Moments

An open letter to my school’s principal

By Melanie Lewis

Dear Principal,

In a few days, I’m leaving my 2 boys in your school’s caring hands.  I’ll let you know they are energetic, inquisitive and comedians- each in their own right.  Since they’re only a grade apart, they may want to check in on each other since they are also best friends and playmates. 

I respectfully ask that they be kept busy with a variety of teaching methods.  One medium that I hope you ban is the use of movies.  I may be old-fashioned or not “with-it,” but I feel it isn’t in the children’s best interest. According to the teacher, the movies were a reward for good behavior.  Pocahontas II – Journey to a New World, Shrek and even, Charlotte’s Web and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle were the movies shown this past year.  The first two movies are rated PG – meaning parental guidance is suggested.

These ratings indicate some material that may not be suitable for children.  This was particularly the case as my first grader who had nightmares from the violent gun battles.  The other issue I have with Pocahontas is the movie isn’t historically accurate and creates confusion as to the true account of Pocahontas.  Shrek, has a lot adult innuendo and little educational value.  The other movies based on books became a contentious issue in our house.  Suddenly, having seen the movies was the equivalent of reading it.  It took a long conversation about the differences between movies and reading the story to find cooperation reading the book.   The types of films that I saw when I was in grade school were reel-to reel shows on underwater life or insects-basically natural sciences.  If there’s any time to be spent sitting in front of a TV, I’d rather they be purely non-fiction and tied to the subject taught in class.

 Another problem that arose was the class ran out of time to take spelling tests.  I’m not sure if this is as a result of taking an hour and ½ out of an already packed schedule to watch a full length movie, or it was simply a lack of planning.  I find that when I leave the TV off around the house, more gets accomplished.  In light of the fact that an obesity epidemic is in this country, taking an extra 20 minutes of recess as a reward for good behavior would be better than the movie.  Or, I would suggest games.  Here you have 21 kids who can play on almost the same level.  They learn cooperation and communication, math and reading. The older brother can’t play some more complicated games because the younger one cannot read, perform higher math yet or has the ability to make intricate strategic maneuvers. This would be a time to include something for this age group.

I hope that funding can be found for a paid librarian.  I realize budgets are short.  The area of language and reading is the heart of elementary school.  As a parent volunteer librarian, it’s getting more and more demanding to keep up with the kids needs for recommendations and knowledge of certain books.  I feel inadequate to give them guidance or have the time to look up anything for them.  I defer them to the teacher who is already overwhelmed with requests.

I’ll miss them both dearly as I walk back into a quiet house.  I’ll feel much better knowing they’re doing activities that are poised to give them confidence and possibilities to explore, learn and grow.  At my discretion, I can pop in a DVD, but lacking a degree in education, do not possess skill in teaching methods or familiarity with great materials.  I can trust you’ll do your utmost to give them education that is equal to or better than they can get at any other school in this country or on par with other developed nations.  They will enter an intensely competitive world when they are done with school.  I would like to see every possible moment while in school filled with things that get them towards being self-sufficient and capable to be in that world.

Thank you for all you do for our kids.

Sincerely,

Melanie Lewis