The High School’s Tattered

Blue Ribbon

To the Editor:

Last week the Board of Education enacted a program to discourage students from participating in extra curricular activities. The board has mandated a $40 fee for each student for each activity they wish to participate in. So, if a student wishes to partake in marching band — $40. If that same student wishes to partake in the drama club — another $40. Now if that student wishes to check out the photography club, even for one or two days, she/he must pay an additional $40. Not only is this action outrageous, it is tantamount to lunacy.

Does the board think Newtown High School became a Blue Ribbon School due to the academic curriculum alone? Actually the Blue Ribbon status was awarded specifically due to the extra curricular programs offered at the school. It is the extra programs that allow our children to investigate life. Inflict a $40 fee for every activity and our children will cease to learn.

This town revolves around the extra curricular activities in our schools. The Marching Band in Labor Day Parade would be gone. The drama programs that bring several thousand people to the high school twice each year would be gone. Cheerleaders would no longer be cheering. Groups like singers, jazz band, photography, and others would be disbanded.

Extra curricular activities make a school and a town what it is.

Does the school board think our students are a means to increase the bottom line? If so, then we, as a town, should show the board exactly what we think of their actions by voting to recall every member of the board and town government.

Every member of this town should show their support for our students, our children by writing to the members of the board and by their presence at the November board meeting.

Sincerely,

Larry Thomas

24 Greenbriar Lane, Newtown                                 October 14, 2003