The Tao of Choosing Student Novels

In response to some parental concern over how sixth grade novels are chosen, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Dr. Elise Frangos on November 4 presented information on the reasoning and judgment of appropriateness behind selecting assigned literature, giving Marion School Committee members reassurance of the process.

In the past, said Frangos, “Teachers selected books they loved and kind of imposed [them].”

“Well, now it’s a whole new ballgame,” Frangos continued.

Books now are selected as the teaching curriculum changes and evolves. And as school districts statewide prepare for an eventual review and revamp of the social studies curriculum, which has not been overhauled in years, aspects of current events and topics are often considered along with the reading curriculum for a most comprehensive and relevant read for students.

Selections for this year include Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, the novel Lost Boy, Lost Girl by Peter Straub, and The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis.

“Each of these books is about heroism … and resiliency,” said Frangos. And they each touch upon the polarizing aspects of human existence that keep us separate until differences are faced and conquered.

“As a parent, I can see why some questions have come up,” said Marion School Committee Chairman Christine Marcolini. Some of the books, she said, contained some pretty heavy subject material. “As parents, it’s natural to worry, ‘How’s my child going to react to this?’”

Marcolini suggested the schools poll the students after reading each book to get a feel for their personal takeaway from the novels. She commented that sometimes a parent expects a child to take away something negative from a novel, “But then that’s not what the kids take away with them at all.”

“I think that could be quite telling,” replied Frangos, in favor of Marcolini’s suggestion.

Sometimes, said School Committee member Christine Winters, parents just want to know.

Director of Student Services Michael Nelson announced some changes to school policy and the student handbook at the suggestion of the Department of Education during its assessment of the district. First, under the bullying policy, school staff and school employees will be added as possible aggressors in bullying incidents, and the physical restraint policy was updated to include more staff training, the prohibition of seclusion, and the limitation of prone position (face down) restraint.

The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for December 2 at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

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