AN OPEN LETTER TO DR. DONALD JAMES, SUPERINTENDANT COMMACK UFSD

Dear Dr. James,


Thank you, Sir for leading Commack Schools, Commack Teachers and Commack’s future.

I am a proud parent of four children in the Commack Schools. All of my children are happy, well-educated and my wife and I are proud to say that all of our children are on the honor roll.
I recognize Commack is jam-packed with great people who care about my children and this gives my wife and I great comfort.
As our children have gone from Kindergarten to High School we have met so many great teachers who have an obvious love for their jobs, this district and our children.
In this paragraph is the introduction, however, of my complaint Sir. My complaint is about morality, religion and decency. All of which are undoubtedly important to every parent and child in my beautiful town. I have seen one oddity that keeps rearing its ugly head and feel I must point it out to you because I do feel enough is enough.
Many years ago when my older children were in Middle School my one child came up to me one day and told me with great pride that today at school she was the ‘sanitation engineer.’ Frankly, I found this to be a ridiculous masking of the well-known ‘garbage man’ title. Sir, my Dad was a garbage man for many years and raised six children as one; so imagine my disagreement with the politically-correct quest to hide the term. I explained this to my child and made sure she knew of her Grandfather’s love for his job and his family.
I moved on.
A short time later, maybe the next year my same child sang along with her entire music class at a school event, forgive me for not remembering which. The Music Teacher chose, from all the songs written in modern time; John Lennon’s IMAGINE. I am sure I am not teaching you anything Dr. James when I point out that John Lennon, who was an incredibly talented man, a bit odd with some things he did like inviting the press into his bedroom while he and his wife posed nude, but a talented artist just the same.
The words, however, from that song bother me when they are coming from the same impressionable young mouths of children being taught that words matter and we should choose our words carefully.
For example, in John Lennon’s first verse he states “Imagine there's no heaven - It's easy if you try” I don’t get the impression he is making a passing remark, he is promoting a concept. This concept is greatly in contrast with what I teach my children – it is Anti-Catholic!
John Lennon’s song goes on to promote ‘no religion’ several times in that song.
Again, I moved on.
Just recently (last year?) my child comes home and tells me the school play is ‘Grease.’ I respect you Mr. James and I won’t quote the main song from that movie, but suffice it to say you’d be fired for quoting it in a public forum.
I do realize that the words I reference were taken out for the school play but why even bother to choose a play if you have to filter it?  Why choose a song if you have to filter it?
Why tell our children words matter if we have to filter songs and plays and titles. All the while all these other beautiful, educational songs and plays with meaning and brilliance exist?
Again, I moved on.
So, just the other day my child is passing by the room where the band practices and hears them playing a song. This song is one that comes on the radio quite often and is very popular right now. The song and the singer are disgusting and I have absolutely no doubt you would agree with me.
I watched your recent testimony at the NYS Public Hearing Dr. James. You are poised, polite and professional with a welcomed witty edge. You made great points, fighting for the children of Commack. I thank you for that effort. I bring up this testimony because in that testimony you stated you wanted to ‘provide the best education for our children.’ I believe you and I think that is obvious from what I see in you and all of Commack’s teachers and administrators.
The song my child heard was ‘wrecking ball’ from Miley Cyrus; a young lady spiraling down a slippery slope toward disaster. She is the train wreck we all see coming if something doesn’t happen soon. Sir, do I have to remind you of her recent performance? Do I have to remind you of her video that goes along with that song?
If words matter Dr. James why, oh why is that the song being played at Commack Schools – for any reason whatsoever?
I am not moving on, I am not turning a blind eye and I am tired of seeing what is important being pushed aside. We are handing morality to the sanitation engineer and we shouldn’t be.
If you ‘google’ the question ‘how many love songs have ever been written’ the answer runs from millions to billions. I am not a music teacher and leave that in your trusting hands and the hands of those who work for you. This being said I would expect a song that promotes Commack, and Decency and not making love to a wrecking ball and a metal chain.
As you also stated in your NYS testimony “I am not here to blame anyone. I am here to disagree.’
Respectfully,James T. Ryder
GO COMMACK!