Parents, would this bother you enough to act on it?

[jfranklyn]

My daughter is a 7th Grader in a gr 6-8 middle school. Each year the PTO sponsors a talent show at the school. The kids are required to plan an "act" (usually singing, dancing, musical instrument, etc), try out in front of a group of adults, attend practices, etc. There are usually 3 or 4 student mc's who introduce the acts, etc. Last year my daughter played a piano piece. We went to see the show, the kids who mc'd were sort of silly, but all in all it was a good night with some great talent. About 30 kids participated, in a school of probably 750? Not sure the exact # of kids.

Anyway, this year the talent show was annouced, kids could audition, etc. My daughter chose not to try out this year, basically because she has alot of other activities and they require afterschool rehearsals. The talent show is today after school (for students) and tomorrow night (for parents). Earlier this week, the parents of the school all got an email from the PTO advertising the show. The theme is "The Jersey Shore". At first, I thought "Please tell me they are talking about the PLACE, and not the TV show" - because we are from NJ and the shore is obviously a very popular place here. Well, no, the advertisement went on to mention The Situation, Snooky, JWoww, etc.

I am VERY bothered by this. Everyone who's ever seen Jersey Shore knows that it's not appropriate for middle schoolers (and perhaps not appropriate for human consumption AT ALL). I don't have to mention all the reasons the average parent would certainly NOT want their child emulating those idiots on the show.

But I am torn as to whether to complain to the school. If it's run by the PTO, then undoubtedly some woman I know well are involved. I talked to my daughter about it last night and she said that the teachers are all up in arms about it, because the district is SO strict about what can and cannot be mentioned in the classroom. Should this be allowed just because it's a PTO event?

 

[kamik86]

Hmm I wonder if the teachers realize this isn't appropriate how it got through the PTO... I mean itsn't it "Parent TEACHER Organization" thus the teachers participate?? (I don't really know though since my mom was part of the PTG (theirs was a group instead) when I was in elementary school but I didn't care much and I'm not sure my middle or high school even had one.)

 

[ilovejack02]

I would def. say something since the characters have been brought up . You can't be the only person in the school that feels this is totally inappropriate.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Yeah, it would bug me. It's not appropriate for that age group.

 

[nmmom95]

I hate Jersey Shore!! I also have a 7th grader and I know that a lot of kids his age watch it. (He doesn't) I would probably say something to my friend on PTO rather than make the complaint "official."

 

[TLuvsD]

Most PTO/PTA's are really very parent run. And in many cases, the parent that volunteers to co-ordinate the event sets the theme, etc. Generally, the Principal has some sort of oversight, or a teacher liason. I would have expected someone to suggest this theme was inappropriate. That being said, I'd ask around and see what the kids are actually doing in the Talent Show. Same acts as before with some odd name? Or something inappropriate.

 

[Mermaid02]

I'm with the teachers on this one. Speak up- I'm sure there are others who feel the same.

 

[MagicMomma]

I wouldn't be happy about it either. I'm sure there are lots of kids who do watch it (I know my DD13 has friends who do) but there is a huge difference between parents letting their kids watch and the school basically promoting it to the kids. The students aren't going to make a distinction between the PTO and the school in general, and may even think "well, if the school's doing this, the show must be OK." I'd definitely say something. I'm a PTO-er, so I understand how hard it can be to 'complain' about things, but if everybody just lets it slide then it will just keep happening. Honestly, I think a lot of things like this would stop happening if more parents brought it up to the administration. Good luck!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I would act on it by becoming more involved in the PTO so that next time around I would be there to speak up in the planning stages when something looney like this was suggested.

 

[allison443]

I agree that it is very inappropriate for that age level!

I want to add that unless they have kids that watch the show, many adults (the administrators/teachers at your school) may not be that familiar with exactly what the show depicts.
They might be aware it's a bunch of people in a shore house, and they might know the Situation was on Dancing with the Stars, or who Snooki is, but they might not get the whole "tone" of the show unless they watch it.

They might think it's just the latest popular show, kwim?

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't say anything for several reasons. I'm sure there will be no risque stuff going on just the "theme" kids this age like to think they are older and will feel cool using this as a theme but won't be allowed to do anything off color.

Second you aren't even going and your DD isn't in it so you really don't know how much it is being utilized or just in name only. Until you are actively involved I think people should find out the details BEFORE you complain.

Third why does it bother you so much if you aren't going and your DD isn't being exposed, if the parents with kids in it don't seem to mind? I would think it would be THeir to complain if there was a problem.


If the teachers truly had a problem it would have been brought to someones attention.

 

[MushyMushy]

I would act on it by becoming more involved in the PTO so that next time around I would be there to speak up in the planning stages when something looney like this was suggested.

Yep! I don't think I'd feel right coming in and raising a stink when I didn't take the opportunity to be part of the decision making process in the first place. If you're going to complain, though, take it to whoever is in charge and made the decision.

I've never seen the show, so I don't know how bad it is.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I could give a flying fig. I do have a dd in 8th in middle school and a college sophmore. I just don't care. Now if they were doing something with my dd's education then I step in. However for all the goofy extracurriculars, whatever....

 

[jfranklyn]

OP here. Just for the record, I attend every PTO meeting for all my children's schools, including all the meetings thus far at the middle school. I volunteer in many capacities, just didn't happen to sign up for this committee. The theme of the show was definately not discussed at any of this year's PTO meetings. And the only reason I know that the teachers are upset about the theme is because I was at school all day yesterday working the book fair and it was the main topic of discussion amongst them. This isn't a matter of me not being an "involved" parent.

 

[ilovejack02]

I've never seen the show, so I don't know how bad it is.

Black out drinking, violent fighting, sex with random people , cursing, degrading behavior towards women, and just in general a disgusting group of people. I think about covers it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Black out drinking, violent fighting, sex with random people , cursing, degrading behavior towards women, and just in general a disgusting group of people. I think about covers it.

So you are saying it is just like my dd's middle school? HA, a perfect match.

 

[ilovejack02]

OP here. Just for the record, I attend every PTO meeting for all my children's schools, including all the meetings thus far at the middle school. I volunteer in many capacities, just didn't happen to sign up for this committee. The theme of the show was definately not discussed at any of this year's PTO meetings. And the only reason I know that the teachers are upset about the theme is because I was at school all day yesterday working the book fair and it was the main topic of discussion amongst them. This isn't a matter of me not being an "involved" parent.

: ) I don't always know what goes on either with every committee . I usually work on book fair, teacher week and end of year school fair. No clue what goes on with the other groups. You can't join everything.

 

[MushyMushy]

OP here. Just for the record, I attend every PTO meeting for all my children's schools, including all the meetings thus far at the middle school. I volunteer in many capacities, just didn't happen to sign up for this committee. The theme of the show was definately not discussed at any of this year's PTO meetings. And the only reason I know that the teachers are upset about the theme is because I was at school all day yesterday working the book fair and it was the main topic of discussion amongst them. This isn't a matter of me not being an "involved" parent.

I don't think anyone is accusing you of not being an involved parent, but you really aren't involved in this committee.

 

[Mimi1965]

If the show is TODAY-its a little late to complain?

I think you must have some very "low class' parents running your PTO

 

[mjkacmom]

I would act on it by becoming more involved in the PTO so that next time around I would be there to speak up in the planning stages when something looney like this was suggested.

This. My kid isn't in it, I'm not attending it, I'm not volunteering my time in the PTO - I stay quiet, or get involved. BTW, I've never been to a PTO meeting, but if I had an issue, I'd join. Dd14 watches the show, ds12 has no interest. It's not like the show is weeks away - the time to say something and get involved has passed.