Stories About The High School

Are Exaggerated

To the Editor:

The fears that Mrs Whitaker expressed in her letter, published on February 20, were typical of Newtown parents who have children in the elementary schools and the Reed school. As a senior in high school, I have found that these fears are based upon rumors and the experiences of a very few. When I was in eighth grade I heard about the drug use, sex, and profanity that supposedly are common at the high school, and I was surprised when I began my freshman year that I saw and heard very little of any of these behaviors. I have never in my four years at Newtown High School witnessed the sale of drugs in the hallway, nor have I ever walked in upon a couple engaged in a “sexual act” in a bathroom. If a girl and boy are acting in a way that is inappropriate at any time, whether in the lobby or in the cafeteria, a teacher or administrator will nearly always interrupt them and insist that they show more maturity. Teachers are not afraid of or indifferent to students — they have no reason not to exercise their authority.

I do not know who Mrs Whitaker’s babysitter is or why she would say that any of these take place, and I would be interested in knowing if she or her friends have witnessed or participated in any of these things that make them so stressed about going to school. Is it possible that she has only heard of this happening frequently without ever seeing it herself?

The only reason I can think of that would explain why so many parents are worried about the high school is that they have heard exaggerated stories and reports which are presented as common or frequent occurrences. Even The Newtown Bee article on the heroin problem, published a few weeks ago, included evidence and stories from only two people. No one would deny that there are students at Newtown High School who abuse drugs or engage in sexual behavior, but this can be said of every high school in the country. And, like every high school in the country, the students who are exposed to drugs and sex are those who choose a group of friends that take part in this behavior.

I do not blame Mrs Whitaker for not wanting this “type of educational environment” for her children. She should be comforted by the fact that this environment does not actually exist as many parents seem to worry that it does.

Respectfully,

Bethany Ober

8 Westwood Terrace, Newtown                            February 24, 2004