August 20, 2016 4:30 p.m.
PRESS RELEASE
Representative Janet H. Adkins
[email protected]
Contact: Rachel Lockhart 904-491-3664
State Representative Janet Adkins Comments on Sexually Explicit Reading Materials
Fernandina Beach, Florida. The recent news report regarding the use of sexually explicit reading materials in the Yulee Middle School Library has drawn parental concern and raises questions regarding how these materials are included as approved reading for middle school students.
“The recent story on the presence of sexually explicit reading materials at the Yulee Middle School Library is alarming and sad. It is a grave concern and worry from parents throughout the county and an issue I have fought to correct,” stated Representative Adkins.
“This past legislative session I worked to pass an amendment to HB 669 to require parental notification of instructional materials containing mature or adult content. This amendment unfortunately was defeated in the Florida Senate and did not pass. However, my commitment is stronger than ever to raise awareness for this issue. Parents deserve to be notified when their child is assigned reading materials that contain sexually explicit content,” stated Representative Adkins.
“I applaud the parents (Billie Thrift and Brook Todd) for taking a stand against these inappropriate materials that were identified in their child’s school. I believe that it is the responsibility of the local school board to exercise oversight on what is placed on the shelves in our schools. I hope the school board will take swift steps to ensure that reading materials are appropriate,” stated Representative Adkins.
“It is my hope that safeguards are put into place to ensure that children are not given or asked to read sexually explicit materials that have not been approved by their parents while enrolled in Nassau County Schools,” stated Representative Adkins.
Representative Adkins represents House District 11, which includes all of Nassau County and portions of Duval County. For additional information, please contact Representative Adkins’ office at 904-491-3664 or email [email protected].
Could someone please tell us what books we are talking about? I think it would be helpful to let us know so we can do some research and form our opinion on this.
The books are Ttyl and Ttfn. I have not read them but I do not believe in banning books. As a parent, if I’m concerned about something my children want to read then I read it first. If I think the book content is too mature for them then I make them wait to read it.
Janet thinks she knows best what our children should read, how they dress and what bathroom they choose to use. Did she create these false issues? Why now, close to the election? It appears there are new issues each week…..signgate, books, bathrooms, common core……desparate attempts to distract from the real issue…..she’s just not qualified for the job of superintendent. And beneath it all, she is not in this race for the children, the parents or the teachers but for herself and control of our school system. Dr. Burns is the only choice for Nassau County Superintendent of Schools.
Ms. Adkins continues her Quest to turn back our County to the Victorian era. Establish a Censoring Committee for all curriculum, and literary resources, Control the utilization of Bathrooms in all Nassau County Schools. (Bathroom Monitors, Cameras)? Remove any Literature, and God Forbid any Teachings of Islam or the Muslim Faith. Folks, by burying your head in the sand, as Ms Adkins is suggesting, does not make 2 Billion people go away, Besides ISIS is a miniscule sect of Islam. It’s like comparing Westboro Baptist Church, to Christianity. What’s next, Mandatory Chastity Belts, for Middle Schoolers?? As Karen Points out, Dr. K. Burns is the only Qualified person to head up our School System, and seems to be the only Adult in this Primary. This is not a Partisan issue, this is the education, and the preparation of our children, to deal with their Future.
Once again Ms. Adkins offers a solution in search of a problem. How do I know? Because she told us herself. Note the phrase in the first paragraph of her press release, “…the use of sexually explicit reading materials in the Yulee Middle School Library.” Libraries DO NOT USE books. The make them available. The only person trying to USE the library is Ms. Adkins for her own political purposes. Very sad!!!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-myracle/post_3252_b_1428066.html
Anglea, Thanks for the information. I would respectfully ask Mrs Atkins Campaign to please explain why she feels these books should be banned? What topics does she feel are offensive or inappropriate for kids? It is easy just to say these books should be banned, but I think we would all like to hear the reasoning behind her thinking prior to casting our votes. Looking forward to hearing the reasoning, thanks
I found book summaries for both named books. They are not appropriate for middle schoolers. The books written by this author (Lauren Myracle) topped the banned and challenged books, according to Newsweek and topped the American Library Association’s list of books people want banned.
Let’s not rush to judgement.
Here’s the thing. Someone or Some Government, Church or Society wants to ban Books for various reasons. Some Books Banned:
All Quiet on the Western Front.
Alices Adventures in Wonderland’
Mein Kampf’
The Da Vinci Code.
Lolita.
The Diary of Anne Frank.
1984.
Ulysses.
Dr. Zhivago
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Harry Potter.
So, which ones would you Ban from our Society? Where do you draw the Line.? Who is capable of making that decision on what to Ban.? “Knowledge is Power” That’s what the Politician, The Government, The Clergy, are most afraid of. An Uninformed, Intellectually Challenged, Electorate, or Parishioner, are Fertile Fields for their Brand of Propaganda. Would I not want my child, to read some of the above Literature, when they were in Middle School, probably, Would I object to any of them, in High School.? Hell No. Parents should monitor, what their Kids a Reading. But if you don’t monitor what they’ve seen on their Computers? Not to worry, nothing in the Middle School library is going to Shock them.
I read Ms. Adkin’s comment and the above comments. Everyone seems to agree. She says nothing about “banning” books, only that (1) the local school board should have control of its local school libraries and (2) parents should be notified so that THEY can decide what their children read. Why the argument?
Yes, by control, she would remove the books. That is like banning. Parents can already find out what their kids are reading—- ask them! Be involved. There’s a novel idea (yes, pun intended).
John, this is a quote from Mrs Atkins. It sounds a lot like she is wanting to ban books from how I interpret her words. Please correct me if I am wrong ———————–“The recent story on the presence of sexually explicit reading materials at the Yulee Middle School Library is alarming and sad. It is a grave concern and worry from parents throughout the county and an issue I have fought to correct,” stated Representative Adkins.
Where in Mrs Adkin’s statement does the word “ban” appear? It was about notifying parents of those books. Burns has been on the school board how many years? She has been a part of what is wrong with our schools all those years. Many of you don’t research the facts, you read others comments and writings and believe them. Remember the tv commerical about “I saw it on the internet”?
Rodger, this is one of those if it looks like a duck scenarios. Where do you think this is heading if not to at the end of the day to ban the books? What I find most interesting is that Mrs Atkins press release was placed here, but when questioned about her thoughts on why these books are controversial, notice I didn’t use the word banned, there has been no reply. I would really like to hear her thoughts on what she feels is actually wrong and should not be shown to children with respect to these books. I think that is a fair and honest question that should be answered so it can help us make a better decision on election day. Wouldn’t you agree ?
Eternal haggling – and eternal potential litigation over individual haggles if the haggler intimidates. The import is continuous static that keeps one’s attention away from the big picture. Who cares about education anyway? Perhaps the kids do – even if Janet Adkins doesn’t.