[LM_NET] HIT (sort of): Should I Censor a Student Poetry Blog?

[Davinna Artibey <davinnajo@GMAIL.COM>]

Hi.  I was disappointed that I didn't hear back from anyone.  It is a
busy time of year and I probably should have put "help!" in the
subject.

In a nutshell, instead of deleting the student poems I was ordered to
delete, I put up a discussion blog in place of the student poetry
blog, asking for input about to what extent students have freedom of
speech, who should decide acceptable posts etc.  I was ordered by my
administration to take that blog down too.

I then received an email from the district advising me to cease the
blogs or my employment could be terminated immediately.  So I took the
blogs down.

Thus was one teacher librarian's experience with experimenting with
Web 2.0 tools in the library.

Davinna Artibey
Teacher Librarian
Denver Center for International Studies
Davinnajo@gmail.com



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Davinna Artibey <davinnajo@gmail.com>
Date: Nov 19, 2007 10:29 AM
Subject: TARGET: Should I Censor a Student Poetry Blog?
To: LM_NET@listserv.syr.edu


Hi.  My assistant principal just told me that I need to remove some
poems from a new  blog I created where students can post their
original poetry:  http://dcispoets.blogspot.com/   So far I haven't
taken them down and have instead asked for more discussion that
includes the student bloggers.

A few poems either mention or are completely about suicide or cutting.
 Our social worker is going to check in with those students.

However, the main concern of my principal and a teacher in the room is
that other students reading poems on these topics will be more likely
to engage in these behaviors.  I am, of course, concerned about
student safety and don't want to jeopardize it.  However, I'm not
convinced that their theory is true.  I also don't want to stifle
student expression and want to stand up against censorship.  We have
books like "Cut" by Patricia McCormick in our library.  If that book
were challenged there would be a whole process that would need to take
place before it was removed.

However, with this new technology, I think this is a bit unprecedented.

I would appreciate any input as I go through this experience.

Davinna Artibey
Teacher Librarian
Denver Center for International Studies
Davinnajo@gmail.com

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