Petitioning the "RFH Reading Assignments, Rumson NJ 07760" Petition
302 Comments
S
Sean Hoppe
10 years ago
God forbid parents have to talk with their kids about certain subjects and actually parent.
D
Debbie Clark
10 years ago
Don't restrict learning to you own narrow definition.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
This isn't about banning books once and for all!! It's about concerned parents wanting educators to make better choices! I plan on reading Death and the Maiden and realize I may appreciate the work. However, just because something is written by an award winning writer, and may possibly be a classic someday, does not mean it is appropriate for every 17 year old that reads it. (I teach fourth grade and love Jerry Spinelli, but I would never bring his first book into my classroom. That's for middle school. Can't we say some books aren't right for certain ages?) Why is it not okay to think some things aren't right? Why do so many think we all should believe there is nothing off limits? I think these concerned parents are asking for the educators who choose these pieces for required reading be open-minded enough to realize there are some 17 year olds who probably are not ready for this material. And stop judging these 17 year olds and their parents, those of you who are so intolerant of others not as "worldly" and "intellectual" as you. Shame on you for thinking every person should have the same upbringing, morals, and opinions as yours. I am saddened by some of the things on this site. Just because a parent wants an educator to find equally or better material to teach the same standards, those who disagree resort to bullying, and acting like their way of thinking is the only way of thinking. Since when are parents not allowed to care about what their children are reading? And simply trust educators to make these decisions and not be involved? Seriously? Talk about poor parenting. Lastly, I must share what bothered me the most on this site. (By the way, those who are saying "we have more votes, twice as many, come to our site..." on the other site forgot to add nanna nanna boo boo to the end of you statements.) Anyway, the thing that saddens me the most, and I see it all the time with those who oppose morality, Caitlin Waters said Siobhan Hogan believes sex is shameful,
K
Kathy Rancourt
10 years ago
Students need to be exposed to a variety of ideas, ideally with a teacher who can guide them.
You can't protect your children forever.
P
Patricia magner
10 years ago
Stupid, ignorant, shameful to ban books. Remember the bonfires Hitler used!
S
Sam Stevenson
10 years ago
The literature education I got at RFH was one of my favorite parts of my education. What is going on???
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
I'm appalled to learn that in 2015—in a community of presumably well-educated people—parents at RFH would propose banning books they deem "unsuitable." If parents believe swear words and sexual language are reasons to ban books, they may as well toss out Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Salinger, Faulkner, Virginia Woolf, etc. etc. This is such a backwards and small-minded proposal—right on par with Putin's initiative of also banning similar books in Russia. I went to RFH decades ago and the best part of my childhood in Rumson was the education I got there. No one would have dreamed to censor reading lists then.
A
Alix Harris
10 years ago
why oh why?! We read Native Son in Catholic School in New Brunswick when I was growing up. Kids are exposed to so much on youtube and video games and social media but were going to limit literature? How is this preparing students for success in the world? It's really no wonder we see adults entering the workforce that are incapable of coping with the day to day and acting out..disappointing
C
Catie Huang
10 years ago
All I can say to parents who want to ban books is "Shame on you!" Haven't we evolved as a society? If nothing else, controversy stirs discourse.
A
Andrea Noren
10 years ago
Where is the list of banned books this is about? How can we sign a petition without knowing what the primal act we are petitioning against said?
S
Sonia de los Reyes
10 years ago
Even Reverend Shaw Moore from Footloose (who supported the ban on dancing) realized the parents of the town had no right to remove controversial books from the schools.
M
Margot Keale
10 years ago
My favorite books in high school were The Grapes of Wrath and The Handmaid's Tale
M
Marc Stertz
10 years ago
I sign as the grandfather of 2 try students
B
Brinda Marcelle Horn
10 years ago
Why should some be able to spoil it for others? Each to their own!
D
Dana Maulshagen
10 years ago
Thank you, Norm, for starting this, and thank you to all the current and former students who have signed so far. It is exciting to witness the thoughtful and critical work that was once part of our classrooms now take shape in meaningful public discourse. I am so proud to be a teacher at RFH.
E
Elizabeth Flier
10 years ago
Why would you want to take Harry Potter, once a banned book, from children?
M
Matt Stypa
10 years ago
Parental responsibility is the key here. Talk to your kids about what they read and what they watch.
R
Ronald Candrea
10 years ago
If people want to have a conversation about their particular child not reading something for a specific reason, that's appropriate. But banning books is ridiculous... Neanderthal.
M
Marianne Peters
10 years ago
I am shocked and disappointed to learn that this is going on at RFH.
L
Lori Markoff
10 years ago
I am in the neighboring school district, and find it incredulous and extremely upsetting that in an educated area such as this, people are trying to ban these books. It's very disheartening.
God forbid parents have to talk with their kids about certain subjects and actually parent.
Don't restrict learning to you own narrow definition.
This isn't about banning books once and for all!! It's about concerned parents wanting educators to make better choices! I plan on reading Death and the Maiden and realize I may appreciate the work. However, just because something is written by an award winning writer, and may possibly be a classic someday, does not mean it is appropriate for every 17 year old that reads it. (I teach fourth grade and love Jerry Spinelli, but I would never bring his first book into my classroom. That's for middle school. Can't we say some books aren't right for certain ages?) Why is it not okay to think some things aren't right? Why do so many think we all should believe there is nothing off limits? I think these concerned parents are asking for the educators who choose these pieces for required reading be open-minded enough to realize there are some 17 year olds who probably are not ready for this material. And stop judging these 17 year olds and their parents, those of you who are so intolerant of others not as "worldly" and "intellectual" as you. Shame on you for thinking every person should have the same upbringing, morals, and opinions as yours. I am saddened by some of the things on this site. Just because a parent wants an educator to find equally or better material to teach the same standards, those who disagree resort to bullying, and acting like their way of thinking is the only way of thinking. Since when are parents not allowed to care about what their children are reading? And simply trust educators to make these decisions and not be involved? Seriously? Talk about poor parenting. Lastly, I must share what bothered me the most on this site. (By the way, those who are saying "we have more votes, twice as many, come to our site..." on the other site forgot to add nanna nanna boo boo to the end of you statements.) Anyway, the thing that saddens me the most, and I see it all the time with those who oppose morality, Caitlin Waters said Siobhan Hogan believes sex is shameful,
Students need to be exposed to a variety of ideas, ideally with a teacher who can guide them. You can't protect your children forever.
Stupid, ignorant, shameful to ban books. Remember the bonfires Hitler used!
The literature education I got at RFH was one of my favorite parts of my education. What is going on???
I'm appalled to learn that in 2015—in a community of presumably well-educated people—parents at RFH would propose banning books they deem "unsuitable." If parents believe swear words and sexual language are reasons to ban books, they may as well toss out Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Salinger, Faulkner, Virginia Woolf, etc. etc. This is such a backwards and small-minded proposal—right on par with Putin's initiative of also banning similar books in Russia. I went to RFH decades ago and the best part of my childhood in Rumson was the education I got there. No one would have dreamed to censor reading lists then.
why oh why?! We read Native Son in Catholic School in New Brunswick when I was growing up. Kids are exposed to so much on youtube and video games and social media but were going to limit literature? How is this preparing students for success in the world? It's really no wonder we see adults entering the workforce that are incapable of coping with the day to day and acting out..disappointing
All I can say to parents who want to ban books is "Shame on you!" Haven't we evolved as a society? If nothing else, controversy stirs discourse.
Where is the list of banned books this is about? How can we sign a petition without knowing what the primal act we are petitioning against said?
Even Reverend Shaw Moore from Footloose (who supported the ban on dancing) realized the parents of the town had no right to remove controversial books from the schools.
My favorite books in high school were The Grapes of Wrath and The Handmaid's Tale
I sign as the grandfather of 2 try students
Why should some be able to spoil it for others? Each to their own!
Thank you, Norm, for starting this, and thank you to all the current and former students who have signed so far. It is exciting to witness the thoughtful and critical work that was once part of our classrooms now take shape in meaningful public discourse. I am so proud to be a teacher at RFH.
Why would you want to take Harry Potter, once a banned book, from children?
Parental responsibility is the key here. Talk to your kids about what they read and what they watch.
If people want to have a conversation about their particular child not reading something for a specific reason, that's appropriate. But banning books is ridiculous... Neanderthal.
I am shocked and disappointed to learn that this is going on at RFH.
I am in the neighboring school district, and find it incredulous and extremely upsetting that in an educated area such as this, people are trying to ban these books. It's very disheartening.