Letter to the Editor: Lyons Wrong on School Counseling
The following was submitted by Chris Allen.
Dear Editor,
As a school committee member and a parent, I am deeply concerned by a piece of legislation supported by State Representative Jim Lyons. Lyons' legislation, House Bill 1060, would raise obstacles to any student seeking counseling in our schools by requiring them to first obtain a permission slip from a parent.
North Andover schools have, sadly, borne witness to student suicides. In our efforts to understand and hopefully prevent these tragedies, one thing is clear – the window of prevention can be brief. Can you imagine a desperate youngster seeking help, only to be sent away with a form to sign?
Difficult days at school run the gamut of a lost homework assignment to the debilitating hammer of persistent bullying. Our gay students are 90% more likely to be the victims of bullying, and they are also two to three times more likely to take their own lives. It is a painful reality that not every gay student comes from an open and understanding household. If those same students struggling with their sexual identity can't hope to find support at school, then where should they turn?
North Andover parents, teachers and students have worked hard to create a respectful, safe and caring environment in our schools. Our guidance offices often serve as temporary safe havens – time spent with a caring adult that results in a student back in class and back on track. I simply cannot understand inserting a piece of bureaucracy, bureaucracy that comes with a price tag incidentally, in the way of our student’s wellbeing.
I urge voters to send a message to Jim Lyons on November 6th and reject his misguided priorities.
Chris Allen
North Andover
Bryan McGonigle2
12:47 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
Here's the main part of the bill. As a parent, I want to know what's going on with my children. If I have to fill out a form to send my child on a field trip, why shouldn't the school have to notify me that they had my child fill out a survery that's non-academic in nature?
Section 32B. Surveys regarding personal or private issues.
No student in any public elementary or secondary school, without the prior written consent of the parent or guardian, shall be requested or required to submit to a survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information concerning: (1) political affiliations; (2) mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student or his family; (3) sexual behavior and attitudes; (4) illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating and demeaning behavior; (5) feelings of victimization; (6) suicide or self-abuse; (7) birth control or abortion; (8) critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships; (9) legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those with lawyers, physicians and ministers; or (10) income.
All such surveys, analyses, and evaluations shall be made reasonably accessible to parents, guardians, educators, school administrators, and others for inspection and review.
Cool Fusion
11:13 am on Saturday, October 20, 2012
These Nurse Ratched control types that run our K-12 system need some serious adult oversight. If there was ever a time that Jeannie C. Riley should address the Harper Valley PTA.. it is now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ivUOnnstpg
Bill Kelly
1:22 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
MikeA, you cherry picked one aspect of the bill being the survey piece. The link below goes to the actual bill. There is more to the bill then just getting parental permission to take a survey. Readers you decide
http://legiscan.com/gaits/text/173059
Bryan McGonigle2
2:44 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
I think I left out section 32A - which i still don't think is very controversial - I think the letter writer is cherry picking more than I - but I agree reader's should decide.
As a taxpayer, I want to know where my money is being spent.
As a parent, I want to know what's going on in the school.
This is where I got my information ...
http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01060/History
Chris Allen
1:25 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
Mike, I agree (philosophically) with the written survey part, certainly for young children. Unfortunately the bill doesn't specify "written" and goes further: "survey, analysis, or evaluation". This would indeed curtail a guidance counselor from aiding a student in distress, as they would be concerned with inviting litigation rather than the immediacy of the situation. And the school would not have to simply notify you, they would need your written permission. Thank you for printing the essence of the house bill, as the details do matter.
Cool Fusion
7:49 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
Things were so much simpler in East Germany. Can I have the time back it took to read this?
Bill Kelly
9:03 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
One thing I will say about this bill is that I would want a permission signed before I would let a minor child of mine read it. It does use some very very graphic language that cannot be repeated on a family show.
salemst
9:10 am on Monday, October 22, 2012
This Chris Allen letter is another L'Italien supporter advocating for denying parental rights. They want kids to have unrestrained and unlimited freedom behaving in potentially destructive and self-destructive manners without their parents' knowledge.
Do liberals even support kids having parents?
Seems like they want the parents' money via taxes financially subsidizing their environment then handing the kids over to the schools to be inculcated with government amorality and behavioral moral equivalency.
As long as I'm a parent I do give our kids to the schools to educate, I do not give our kids to Barbara L'Italien and the schools to raise. That's our parental job.
Peter
11:56 am on Monday, October 22, 2012
Chris Allen has made some really bad decisions. This letter in support of Barbara who cut funding to the Town is no shocker. These two left wing liberals just want to push their private agendas at the peril of the children