Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (1)
Hatrick says he was wrong to limit book county-wide
Superintendent Dr. Edgar Hatrick acknowledged Feb. 26 at a School Board meeting that he overstepped his boundaries by removing the book “And Tango Makes Three” from general circulation in the county's elementary schools.
“This challenge involved Sugarland Elementary School, and my decision applies only to that school,” Hatrick said at the Loudoun County Public Schools board meeting. “As is our practice, other schools will be advised of the decision, but the ordered change in location of the book applies only to the school where it was challenged.”
The award-winning book tells the true story of chinstrap penguins Roy and Silo that live in New York's Central Park Zoo and hatch an egg together. They care for their chick, Tango, as a family.
“And Tango Makes Three” was moved from general circulation to the teachers' shelves at Loudoun elementary schools after Leesburg resident Sherrie Sawyer, a teacher's assistant at Sugarland Elementary School, complained about its subject matter. The book still could be checked out by teachers or parents.
Although the school's principal and a district-level committee recommended the book remain available to students, Hatrick determined the subject matter could be developmentally inappropriate for some young children.
At Tuesday's meeting, he said he considered several background facts to reach his decision, including that the book is only in 14 of the county's 47 elementary schools, has been checked out a total of 49 times in those schools -- some of which were by adults for review -- and the controversy it has generated across the country.
“In the final analysis, I sought to provide a way that this book could remain in our elementary libraries to be checked out by teachers or parents to read with or to their students or children,” Hatrick said. “I do believe that the implied subject matter is relevant to our modern society but also deserves some adult consideration in answering questions that young children may have about the family dynamic described.”
During public comment, two people spoke in favor of limiting access to the book, and six spoke against such a measure.
“We as parents want to raise our own children,” Betsy Faulkner said in agreement with Hatrick's original decision.
Chris Stevenson said his family “strongly supports” the decision.
Stevenson said parents can always teach their children about “something that was not taught that should have been,” whereas it is “much more difficult” to remove what has already been taught.
Two speakers received applause from several opponents of Hatrick's decision. The group in opposition wore black and white in support of the penguin book, along with buttons that said, “I read banned books.”
Fourth-grader Jack Hawes called “And Tango Makes Three” an “excellent book,” and talked about how the Constitution gives the right to free speech and expression.
“I think that everyone should have the freedom to read,” Hawes said. “Without access to ideas, we're not free.”
Katie Neville, who has been a teacher for more than 30 years, said she doesn't think it is right to remove the book from general circulation. She said tolerance and love are good things to be teaching.
“That's the message in this book,” Neville said, holding up a copy of the penguin story, “and that's the message in this book” -- holding up a copy of the Bible.
School Board member J. Warren Geurin (Sterling) said he agreed with Hatrick's decision but called the penguins a distraction to more important issues.
“I am troubled that the penguins have trumped the budget,” he said.
Times-Mirror staff writer Elizabeth Coe contributed to this report.
I have one word for this article...and it's one I have taken from the children....
WHY?
It's their word of choice. Any good parent knows this and promotes it. Sure, it can be annoying and difficult at times but it is of you to answer your child's WHY?
Now, does this mean I live in a communinity that doesn't support diversity, gosh I hope not but maybe so? But by banning a book doesn't create tolerance and understanding, it requires ignorance and the unwillingness to work with your children for them to have a better understanding of the world they live in. The phrase, "You all need to grow up" comes to mind...
Posted by sowhatursaying
Report Offensive Content
You must be logged in to post a comment.