Not right to laud principal’s profanity

While no one can be more excited about recent occurrences in the world – what with Osama bin Laden being laid to rest by some brave SEALS – why do we think it is necessary to praise a highly paid Naperville Unit District 203 administrator for putting out an email with profanity regarding students who chose not to attend school?

What was the purpose of the email? To raise awareness that because of the district’s, or perhaps Naperville Central’s choice to give seniors 2 days off while the rest of the student population toiled over the PSAE exams there was some sort of recognition that this was not well thought out? I would be happy to lend my Ouija board next time they want to plan the academic schedule and are wondering the outcome of granting seniors 2 days off – Wednesday and Thursday – but expecting them to show up on Friday of one of the last few weeks of their high school careers.

What I am curious about is what the staff absentee level was for the same day, because I would not be surprised if many staff chose not to show up, as well.

The main source of my ire, however, is that the principal was “lauded” for using profanity. This is behavior that is not acceptable for students, so why should it be commended for a person who is supposed to be held in respect due to his position as an authority figure to use such a baseless choice for communication.

My student was in attendance on both the Friday and the Monday in question. I feel it is my responsibility to teach him how to contribute, participate, and achieve. Maybe it is time that Mr. Wiesbrook remind himself that it might not be a bad idea for him to lead by example and support goals more befitting all our students.

Pat O’Donnell

Naperville