Themes such as suicide are understandably tough topics to have to read about, but after reviewing the curriculum for Honors English, administrators in the Freehold Regional High School District believe the current curriculum should remain in place.
Several months ago the parent of a student came to an FRHSD Board of Education meeting to express her distaste about a book her child was assigned to read in freshman Honors English.
The book in question is “The Pact” by Jodi Picoult, which is assigned as supplemental reading when students read William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
“The Pact” has some similarities to Shakespeare’s play as it focuses on two young lovers. The difference between the book and the play is that only one young person dies and a drama unfolds around it, according to a synopsis of the book.
Administrators reviewed the parent’s concerns and discussed the matter during the board’s June 27 meeting.
The district’s staff determined that while topics and themes in “The Pact” may be a bit difficult to deal with, overall the work helps to support the students’work in studying “Romeo and Juliet.”
Superintendent of Schools Charles Sampson said if the subject matter of “The Pact” is such that a parent does not want his child to read it, an alternate assignment will be provided.
Manalapan High School Vice Principal Thomas Gallahue spoke to the board about “The Pact.” He said that on many occasions students have provided positive feedback about the novel. He said the students say the book touches on many issues teenagers experience.
Gallahue said at Manalapan, when “The Pact” is discussed, a guidance counselor comes into the classroom to help the students understand there is always someone to turn to if they need to talk.
Board member Kathie Lavin of Farmingdale said she liked the fact that Manalapan’s staff provides that service to its students. She said she hopes the other schools in the district do that as well.
In the end, no changes were made that would remove “The Pact” from the Honors English course. A student will be provided with an alternate assignment if his or her parent does not approve of the novel.