PG13 Movies at School -- DS is 9

[CdnBuzzFan]

In my school we're allowed to show any G rated movie with the permission of the principal. If we want to show anything else, we must send home a permission slip with each student that tells the name of the movie, the rating and why it is rated as such (ex: Mild language, crude humor, etc.) Any child that does not return the form or the parents say no, we have to provide an alternate assignment or setting for them during the movie showing time.

That makes perfect sense to me. I'm not sure what our schools policy is around movies but something tells me that they dont actually have a policy.

I can't believe---

1. That a 3rd grader (my guess) was shown a PG-13 movie without parent approval...not right, IMO.

and

2. That the same 3rd grader has FRENCH class?? I've not known schools to offer foreign languages until Jr High.

1. That's actually one of the things that bothered me about it -- that she thought she could take my place as parent and make that decision for my child.

2, DS is actually in grade 4 and this is his first year to have French. I guess since it is Canada's official second language, the kids have to study it but it wasn't offered until grade 9 when I was in school. Still, I think grade 4 is pretty early.

 

[CdnBuzzFan]

I'll go a step further and say I think its inappropriate for a school to show any PG-13 movie to 9 year olds period. There's a good reason for a movie to be rated PG-13. As much as kids that age are trying to fit in with their classmates, it would be hard to be one of the kids whose parents were wise enough to not sign the permission slip.

Thanks. I have to assume that the movies are rated for a good reason and that the people who rate the movies know what they're doing.

 

[punkin]

These things happen. My DD's 4th grade class decided to show "Amistad" in 4th grade with their slavery unit. I think some of the kids were scarred for life. That movie is graphic!!!

No permission slips were given out prior to the showing. DD (thankfully) was out sick that day. The parents were in an absolute uproar.

 

[wvjules]

Thanks. I have to assume that the movies are rated for a good reason and that the people who rate the movies know what they're doing.

Not really. Ratings are beyond whacked. The MPAA is a joke.

 

[mamacatnv]

That makes perfect sense to me. I'm not sure what our schools policy is around movies but something tells me that they dont actually have a policy.
1. That's actually one of the things that bothered me about it -- that she thought she could take my place as parent and make that decision for my child.2, DS is actually in grade 4 and this is his first year to have French. I guess since it is Canada's official second language, the kids have to study it but it wasn't offered until grade 9 when I was in school. Still, I think grade 4 is pretty early.

In all honesty, it does sound like one of those Oops moments. We all have them, I am sure your DS will not be permanently harmed from it and lesson learned by all.

 

[2girlsmom]

Our district doesn't have a policy either, and I well remember my Latin teacher once a week showing a movie, frequently was PG13 or R, this was high school, but still, rarely did it have ANY education value whatsoever, and I would have been 15 that year. Also, our school district had a movie day a few years ago where they closed the theater to outside guests, and had sent a note to send your child with money to buy discounted tickets to see Bridge to Terabithia. My children were in 3rd and 1st grades at the time, and I was shocked that an elementary school would a)pick a movie with a PG13 rating and b) pick THIS movie which dealt with child abuse and death for kids grades k-5. So I get what you are saying. There are definitely PG13 movies that my children have seen, but that's MY call to make, not some teacher's decision.

 

[marcyinPA]

Wow. Even my middle schooler has a permission form to sign everytime they watch something that is not G.

Same here. In fact, last semester I had to sign a permission form for my 10th grader to watch the newer version of Othello in English class. If the whole class didn't turn in the form, they would have to watch the old version (which I guess isn't as good).

OP, I don't think you are over reacting if you feel strongly about what your son watches. It may seem like over reacting to others who aren't as stringent. That's OK. If you feel strongly about it, then by all means, you should speak to the teacher.

 

[CdnBuzzFan]

In all honesty, it does sound like one of those Oops moments. We all have them, I am sure your DS will not be permanently harmed from it and lesson learned by all.

I agree, he's not permanently harmed. We've talked a bit about some of the content of the movie. And, yes, it was very likely a matter of poor judgement on the teachers part. Hopefully, she's learned that PG13 may not be appropriate for a 9-year-old...hopefully.

 

[fimac]

Is this movie rated PG or PG 13 in Canada ?

I have run into a few movies with different rating in the US and Canada. ITunes has it as a PG.

 

[Jigsaw]

At the schools here you have to get parent permission to watch movies rated PG13, they have to fill out a form. When I was in 7th grade I had a marine biology class and I remember one time the teacher let us watch Austin Powers which had nothing to do with what we were learning and also she didn't send forms to fill out. Some parents were mad when they found out and had a talk with the school about it.

I'm not a parent but I think that the films that are watched in the class should have something to do with whatever the kids are learning. Unless its one of those "you have been good students here is a freeday" sort of thing. In that case all the films we watched for being good students were always Disney ones and other G rated films.

 

[Magpie]

I don't know of any elementary school that doesn't require permission forms for anything over G.

I've never seen a permission form for movies, and I know my kids have watched stuff at school that's rated PG and PG-13.

2, DS is actually in grade 4 and this is his first year to have French. I guess since it is Canada's official second language, the kids have to study it but it wasn't offered until grade 9 when I was in school. Still, I think grade 4 is pretty early.

My kids have had daily French instruction since Junior Kindergarten. We're in Ontario, and they're in the English public board.

Where are you?

 

[RabbitFood]

As a parent, I'd be most concerned about how School of Rock fits in the curriculum. If the teachers were looking to have a relaxed day before break, surely there are French related films out there that are much more appropriate. Frankly, why is School of Rock being shown at all, in any classroom? Ugh.
Did you follow up with the principal? Sounds like there are some curriculum issues to address.
But I do applaud the school for teaching a foreign language at an early age!

 

[mjkacmom]

I've never seen a permission form for movies, and I know my kids have watched stuff at school that's rated PG and PG-13.



My kids have had daily French instruction since Junior Kindergarten. We're in Ontario, and they're in the English public board.

Where are you?

Public school, and I've never signed anything. It wouldn't bother me, but all of my kids have already seen that movie. Ds12 saw The Boy in the Striped Pajamas in 5th, and the parents weren't notified. Our kids get Italian starting in 4th.

 

[DebbieB]

When I was in high school (in the 70's), our American History class had a field trip to see "All the President's Men" at a theatre (didn't have videos back then!). It was our Junior year, so I was about 16. I guess it was PG (did they have PG-13 back then?). For whatever reason, the teacher did not preview it and he was very upset about the language. He apologized to the class the next day! We were like huh?

 

[mhsjax]

We have to sign a form for internet use but not for watching movies.

OUr kids in MS, bring home a form for us to sign at the beginning of the year. It is for gym, incase they have several rainy days and they want to watch a movie. Now would I have been upset, no. but then again, my kids watch a lot of stuff that other kids don't. I do understand how you would be upset and certainly think that you have a right to. I just don't care if MY child sees it, but they should have gotten permission from the parent first.

 

[CdnBuzzFan]

I've never seen a permission form for movies, and I know my kids have watched stuff at school that's rated PG and PG-13.

My kids have had daily French instruction since Junior Kindergarten. We're in Ontario, and they're in the English public board.

Where are you?

We're in Ontario also in the GTA. We're in English Public School as well.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

Besides the film not being age appropriate, what in the world does that have to do with French class? (Granted I have never seen the movie myself). I just cannot imagine how it could be justified as an educational experience.

 

[CdnBuzzFan]

As a parent, I'd be most concerned about how School of Rock fits in the curriculum. If the teachers were looking to have a relaxed day before break, surely there are French related films out there that are much more appropriate. Frankly, why is School of Rock being shown at all, in any classroom? Ugh.
Did you follow up with the principal? Sounds like there are some curriculum issues to address.
But I do applaud the school for teaching a foreign language at an early age!

Excellent point!

I didn't follow up with the principal this time. I went to our homeroom teacher instead. If it does occur again, the principal will be the first person I go to without hesitation!

 

[si-am]

For those wondering what School of Rock has to do with French, I'd bet that it was shown in French (with English subtitles).

A lot of language classes show dubbed films that in and of themselves have nothing to do with the curriculum. But the language is what's important.

However, I've never heard of a PG 13 film being shown without a permission slip to any grade below 9. (Because 9th graders are generally 13+)

 

[bellebud]

I'd have a problem w/ the school showing a pg-13 movie they didn't preview.

Did the school preview it and think it was ok? Or do they just universally think pg-13 is ok? THAT would be what I'd want to know.

There are many pg-13's that have nudity and too much sexuality that I don't allow my kids to watch.

personally, I love "School of Rock" (I didn't even realize it was pg-13 and don't really think it should be) and my kids have watched it from when they were little. It's one of our favs. BUT that doesn't mean it's ok for all the 4th graders, just because I think it's ok for my kids.

and yea, what does it have to do w/ French? I do think the school could have found a more appropriate movie to show. Are there NO movies that the kids could have watched and been entertained by, that have something remotely to do w/ France? Maybe there aren't...