A Principal’s Responsibilities

To the Editor:

I wish to present to you my response to the comments made by the co-president of the high school PTSA in last week’s issue of The Newtown Bee concerning the “Prom Party Incident.” I feel that it is essential that you know the factual matter of the response.

The conversation that the co-president had with me on May 2, 2007, was brief and centered around the post-prom party at the school. Both she and I had heard there would be a party and we were both disappointed that this would draw students away from the post-prom party hosted by the PTSA at the school. At no time did she ever tell me that there would be drugs and alcohol at the party in question. Drugs and alcohol were never part of our discussion. Hosting parties instead of encouraging students to attend the PTSA post prom was the issue we discussed.

It is my responsibility to ensure that the school runs a safe and orderly prom. Our prom was perfect! No drugs! No alcohol! 460 students had a great time. This administration encouraged students to attend the post-prom at the school and continues to support the post-prom initiative.

Yours truly,

Arlene L. Gottesman

Principal, Newtown High School

12 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook                                                                     May 16, 2007