To the editor
I am writing to respond to the letter regarding the ABIS eighth-grade
dance in the June 13 Manville News. First, I wish people would get all
of the correct facts before writing a letter to the editor.
Unlike Terri Williams, I was a chaperone at the
dance. She was correct, permission slips were handed out and signed by
the student’s parents and that some student’s permission slips weren’t
accepted due to behavioral problems.
However, she was incorrect on the rest of the events.
The formal was sponsored by the PTA, therefore the PTA president sent
Dr. Brunn a letter indicating that since it was a PTA function, the PTA
should decide who was able to attend the dance.
The situation that occurred between Dr. Brunn, the
principal of ABIS, and Dottie Bradley, parent and PTA member (not Board
of Education president), was not seen or heard by any student except
for the student in question. Dottie Bradley was asked to go out front
and assist with the problem as a PTA member. Dr. Brunn made the scene
in the dance that embarrassed the students. He confronted the student
in front of the entire class and instructed him to leave the dance.
The student did submit the school and the PTA
accepted a permission slip and it. The student’s name was on the
attendance sheet for entrance into the dance. The student was sitting
and talking with friends and not misbehaving when Dr. Brunn walked in
and caused a scene. Dottie Bradley did not start a verbal argument with
Dr. Brunn in front of the students. There was an argument between the
two, but it occurred outside of the dance room.
The words "Board of Education president" were never
spoken in the conversation. Dottie was defending that student as a
parent and a PTA member. Dr. Brunn also removed some of the teachers
from the dance and chaperoning our children to have a meeting outside
to discuss the situation. This situation was resolved and over at the
dance.
There was no reason for Terri to write a letter and
put a bad mark on a great evening for the eighth-graders.
I am tired of people always having to write about the
bad things that happen in Manville. It would be nice for people to
write about the good things in Manville. Manville is a great community
and has a lot of good caring people living in the town. I don’t know of
any other town that supports their children and the community the way
people of Manville do. This town pulled together to help others during
the flood.
They always have more parents at sporting events,
even if away, then any other school. The room is jammed with parents
during concerts and other school events. I am proud to be part of the
Manville community and I hope that everyone begins to see the good in
Manville, because there is a lot of good.
White Avenue