WWYD? School and movie situation

[powellrj]

Its the last week of school and they are pretty much just watching movies this week at school. In DDs choir class they are watching Sound of Music, great choice. In her science class they are watching Sahara, I don't know anything about the movie but did a quick search and it seems fine. The teacher made each child bring a signed permission slip to see this movie. I appreciate this.

In social studies they are watching Boy in the Striped Pajamas. DD wanted to see the movie when it first came out and I vetoed it after I read reviews. She is 12 and I thought it was too intense for her to watch. She understood when I showed her the reviews and agreed with me. I was afraid she would have nightmares.

I guess what upsets me is nobody asked if it were OK. I have a problem with her seeing the end of the movie and have decided not to send her until later in the morning so she misses the end of the movie. Her brother is getting an award for Senior day and I am just taking her with me to that.

My question is do I say something to the school or just let it drop and take her out on my own.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Drop it. You are handling the situation.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd let it go. It's not like she has to attend (end of year, attendance is done), and as a parent who would let dd12 see that movie, I like the fact that it actually connects with the subject, and isn't just fluff.

 

[slo]

I would say something to school/teacher
Do you have the teachers email?
I would send a pleasant email stating how she may want to consider sending a permission slip home for future movies, because you don't want your DD to see this movie because she's not ready to see it.
If she didn't think about doing the permission slip, she may appreciate your input.
Sometimes we don't think of things, or things just slip our minds, and this may be the situation with her.
I also agree with you on not sending her to see that movie - Good for you!!

 

[Jennasis]

I'd drop it. When I was 12 I watched movies that'd curl most people's hair and I turned out fine (debatable I'm sure!). You're handling it just fine.

 

[agnes!]

The movie is rated PG-13. Don't they have to send home a permission slip?

agnes!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I haven't seen either Sahara or The Boy In The Striped Pajamas, but looked them up on imdb.com to make sure I was remembering the right movies.

Both are PG-13 but the subject matter between the two -- the Holocaust vs an adventure akin to National Treasure -- is very different. I would have expected a permission slip for Boy In The Striped Pajamas before I would have for Sahara.

I'd say something to the teacher about it. If the teacher doesn't take it seriously, apologize, or just ignores it, then address it with the principal.

 

[MoniqueU]

I wouldn't say anything.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

I can go either way on this. On one hand what is the difference? Your plan wouldn't change with or without a permission slip. You don't want your kid to see the movie, so you are taking the action you feel is right for your child. Good for you BTW.

On the other hand, you are probably doing this teacher a favor by raising a fuss. She will catch heck, after the movie, when all those 6th graders go home and tell their parents about the ending. You could help her be prepared for something she may not realize.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would say something to school/teacher
Do you have the teachers email?
I would send a pleasant email stating how she may want to consider sending a permission slip home for future movies, because you don't want your DD to see this movie because she's not ready to see it.
If she didn't think about doing the permission slip, she may appreciate your input.
Sometimes we don't think of things, or things just slip our minds, and this may be the situation with her.
I also agree with you on not sending her to see that movie - Good for you!!

She stated a permission slip was sent home for this movie. At least that is how I read her OP.

I have a 12yodd and would be fine with her seeing it.

 

[PaulaSue]

What the heck is with schools showing movies instead of teaching? (I can see if it has to do with the subject teaching)

My girls have seen more movies in school than at home and I am not talking about educational movies (Wall-E for example at Thanksgiving time, many, many cartoons stuff over the school year) God only knows what is coming up this and next week.

 

[kinntj]

She stated a permission slip was sent home for this movie. At least that is how I read her OP.

I have a 12yodd and would be fine with her seeing it.

The permission slip was just for the science teacher/Sahara.

I would also email the teacher for future reference to questionable movies. Parents could go either way with that one.

 

[Buckalew11]

I'd probably ask about the permission slip. I'm pretty lenient with movies but DD knows a lot of kids whose parents aren't. I saw Pyscho in 9th grade English class and wish I'd been older. Nightmare on Elm Street etc. I could handle. Alfred hitchcock gets in my head. (I have FOB. I am sure it was caused by The Birds, LOL)

 

[OceanAnnie]

The permission slip was just for the science teacher/Sahara.

I would also email the teacher for future reference to questionable movies. Parents could go either way with that one.

I agree. It was probably an oversight that a permission slip wasn't sent for that movie. I would most likely start an e-mail or conversation on that premise.

 

[yoopermom]

As a current teacher/former school library media specialist, this burns me, first, because of copyright issues. I know, I know, "everyone does it", but these movies have NOT been bought through an educational service for big $$ so they can be shown legally to kids, they've been brought from home, I'm sure. Second, every school district has in place media viewing guidelines, that every staff member should know and follow. (Usually requiring use of a parent permission slip for certain ratings, and at least a suggestion that the movie should "fit the curriculum".)

As a parent, I would do as others have suggested, drop the teacher an email stating that you've chosen not to have your daughter watch this film, and that you'd appreciate her consider using a permission form in the future. If you wanted to, you could ask the administration (discretely, without using the staff member's name) if there is a viewing policy in place and, if so, if you can have a copy of it. Asking for it alone may be enough to "nudge" them into reminding the staff as a whole to follow it.

Terri
(Who is NOT showing any movies this last ten days of school!)

 

[java]

Terri thank you so very much! for not showing movies! I can do that at home. Why waste my kids time in school just to get the "days" in for the year and then just show a movie? This bugs me to no end. My son's class (high school!) watches The Big Bang theory! IN HONORS PHYSICS! Now I love his teacher and really it was just a handful of times and she tries to get them to LOVE physics and they do. But really? TV? In school?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The permission slip was just for the science teacher/Sahara.

I would also email the teacher for future reference to questionable movies. Parents could go either way with that one.

Well that is different. In my dd's school a permission slip is required for anything that is not G and this includes high school.

So I would say your school's policies are in question here. Does your district have a movie policy?

 

[ckay87]

What the heck is with schools showing movies instead of teaching? (I can see if it has to do with the subject teaching)

My girls have seen more movies in school than at home and I am not talking about educational movies (Wall-E for example at Thanksgiving time, many, many cartoons stuff over the school year) God only knows what is coming up this and next week.

I hate to be too hard on teachers, but I kind of agree. I understand that all of the material that needs to be covered is done. But don't teachers have some fun lessons or activities in mind that they never can get around to during the school year? They spend so much time on the mundane, wouldn't these last few days be a great opportunity to do some fun, educational things NOT for grades?

Because movies or not, these are the 5 longest days of a kids life. There HAS to be something else to pass the time. Geez, learn to knit, do pointless science experiments, discuss current events ... something!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I hate to be too hard on teachers, but I kind of agree. I understand that all of the material that needs to be covered is done. But don't teachers have some fun lessons or activities in mind that they never can get around to during the school year? They spend so much time on the mundane, wouldn't these last few days be a great opportunity to do some fun, educational things NOT for grades?

Because movies or not, these are the 5 longest days of a kids life. There HAS to be something else to pass the time. Geez, learn to knit, do pointless science experiments, discuss current events ... something!

Yes, my 6th grader is like all we are doing is nothing and asks if she can skip...

Oh well, this is just something that I am not even going to worry about.

 

[Vixen]

let it go!