An open letter from Peter Stinson to the Members of the Portsmouth School Board and the Members of the Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth, Virginia... 12 May 2003...
Greetings Honorable Members of the School Board and City Council:
As a parent of two school-age children, I was deeply disturbed by the events in Northbrook, Illinois, last week. The violence, the criminal acts, the depravity demonstrated by the students during the �powder puff� football games were horrific. I�m sure you had similar thoughts and feelings. And, like me, you probably wondered how a thing like that could happen and were glad nothing like that could happen in our fair City.
But, it does. And it will continue, and it could possibility grow to � or beyond � the levels exhibited by the seniors at Glen Brook North High School... unless we do something about it.
How could a appalling event like Northbrook�s powder puff games happen? I suggest to you it happened because of the culture of the community and a tacit acceptance of similar behavior in the past. Certainly, an event like the powder puff games does not happen in a vacuum. As one school administrator suggested their were �old scores to settle.� Said one student who was assaulted, �many of these girls say that we got what we deserved and, honestly, I don't see how anybody can deserve to be beaten and put into the hospital just because you don't like them.�
Why do I bring this to your attention? After all, this happened nearly a thousand miles away. I write today because I believe our school system is growing a culture which condones a powder puff type event.
Last week at one of our elementary schools, two children were assaulted by fellow students. One youngster was attacked � tackled, punched, and kicked � by another student in retaliation for the first student carrying out his responsibilities as a member of the safety patrol. Another student was punched in the back of his head by a classmate following a third student offering twenty dollars to whomever would hit the first.
These behaviors are uncalled for. These behaviors create a hostile learning environment. And, yet, this is what we are growing.
These actions occurred, I suggest, because as a school this behavior is tacitly accepted. Yes, we have anti-bullying programs. Yes, occasionally we suspend a student for hitting another. But our program is not real or comprehensive, and our discipline is not evenly or consistently applied.
We must create a community where unacceptable behavior is not tolerated. We must create a community where students and parents learn and practice positive anger management and dispute resolution techniques. We must create a partnership in our City between all stakeholders � students, parents, teachers, school administrators & leaders, law enforcement professionals, judicial staff and officers, City officials, and elected representatives of the School Board and City Council � so we can create a community where tolerance and diversity and fair play are not just words, but guiding principles and action.
I ask you, I implore you, to create such a community. Let us not grow youth who think a �powder puff� action is okay; let us not grow citizens who turn their back on aggression; let us not grow a community which tolerates � in any form � violence, hazing, bullying, and intolerance.
I ask you to reach out to the key stakeholders and do something positive. The events last week at this one elementary school are but two data points which demonstrate a larger proof. Do not focus on the particular incidents, but rather on that larger proof: We are creating an environment which festers and allows students to think these violent responses are appropriate. We must ask ourselves two important questions: What sort of a community are we creating in our schools? What sort of community would we rather create?
We must create a real and holistic program to promote tolerance, teach anger management and dispute resolution skills, and change behaviors of students, parents, employees, and community members.
I am most willing to talk with the elected members of the Board or Council or professional School and City administrators and leaders. I am most willing to do what I can so we can together create a tolerant, diverse, healthy School � and City � community.
Yours in peace,
/s/ Peter
Peter A. Stinson
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