The letter...

September 4, 2008

Dear Mrs. M******,

Thank you for all your efforts to help our daughter learn Spanish in your class this semester. She is excited about learning the Spanish language and hopes to continue to learn much more during the next several months of school.

Last night Lisa asked us to sign a waiver for her to watch the movie Frida Kahlo in your class. We read in the waiver that the movie is rated R and although we are opposed to Lisa watching any rated R movies, we took the opportunity to find out more about this movie before making our final decision.

In reading several reviews of the movie Frida Kahlo we found that the reasons for its R rating was because of "sexuality/nudity and language". We read further that the movie touches on the fact that both Frida andher husband had extra marital affairs and that Frida experimented with "sexual relationships with women". (http://homevideo.about.com/library/weekly/aafpr060303.htm)

I am quite aware that things of this nature are rampant all around us and that for many students at B**** this would not be the first instance in which they were to view such items, but for you as a B**** High School teacher to not only offer this material to your students but to promoteit in your class is highly inappropriate.

Frida Kahlo was an amazing artist that made a lasting impact on the people who viewed her work. We understand why you would want to share with your students her life's struggles and successes but we feel that the specific movie you are proposing to show your students on September 16, 2008 is not in harmony with the values of B**** High School or the M***** County School district.

We as parents ask that you do not show this movie to any of your classes. The youth at B**** High School do not need to be exposed to this type of content while at school. We hope instead that you will choose another film that would similarly highlight the beautiful, strong, and vibrant culture of the Hispanic people without the objectional material included.

Thank you for your time and for all that you do in your classroom each day.

Sincerely,
Lisa S. Schloemer - mother
Arnold C. Schloemer - father

CC: Principal R********* - B**** High School