Wednesday, October 24, 2012
All members of the East Penn community are invited to discuss Emmaus High School 9th-grade summer reading selection 'Prep' by Curtis Sittenfeld on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Zion's Lutheran Church.
A young adult book titled “Prep” grabbed well more than 15 minutes of fame in East Penn School District when two parents came forward at the Sept. 10 meeting of the East Penn Board of School Directors to challenge the book -- a 9th-grade Emmaus High School summer reading selection -- due to what they called its “pornographic” content. Soon after, the East Penn Patch editors put out an invitation to a “Prep” book discussion group, calling upon members of the community to read the Curtis Sittenfeld work along with us and then get together to talk about the book – the good, the bad and the potentially pornographic. Since then, a number of Patch readers expressed an interest in being a part of the Patch "Prep" conversation. That conversation …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Superintendent Thomas L. Seidenberger last night updated the East Penn Board of School Directors on the status of the current book challenges in the district and set the record straight on past book objections.
Two books on the Emmaus High School summer reading list -- "Prep" by Curtis Sittenfeld and Tom Wolfe's "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" -- became the focus of attention this fall when a parent came to a September meeting of the East Penn Board of School Directors to raise concern about the "pornographic" nature of the works. That initial public criticism of the books sparked a frenzy of activity in the district, ultimately resulting in a formal challenge to both books under an established district procedure known as "Policy 109." Last night, Superintendent of Schools Thomas L. Seidenberger took a moment during his report to the East Penn Board of School Directors to update the board on the status of current Policy 109 challenges and to …
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Due to an unforeseeable conflict with the vice presidential debate Thursday night, East Penn Patch editors have rescheduled the 'Prep' book discussion group for Thursday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Zion's Lutheran Church, 5901 Kings Highway, Old Zionsville.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Due to an unforeseeable conflict with the vice presidential debate Thursday night, East Penn Patch editors have rescheduled the 'Prep' book discussion group for Thursday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Zion's Lutheran Church, 5901 Kings Highway, Old Zionsville.
Monday, October 1, 2012
The Emmaus and Lower Macungie Patch editors invite Patch readers to discuss controversial Emmaus High School summer reading selection 'Prep' by Curtis Sittenfeld at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in Zion's Lutheran Church, 5901 Kings Hwy S, Old Zionsville.
Editor's Note: Please note that this article has been changed to reflect the correct location of the book group which is Zion's Lutheran Church, 5901 Kings Hwy S, Old Zionsville. Curtis Sittenfeld’s “Prep” entered the spotlight in East Penn School District when two parents came forward at the Sept. 10 meeting of the East Penn Board of School Directors to challenge the book, a 9th-grade Emmaus High School summer reading selection, due to what they called its “pornographic” content. Soon after, the East Penn Patch editors put out a feeler about a “Prep” book discussion group, inviting community members to talk about the merits of the work, and a number of Patch readers expressed an interest in being a part of the conversation. That …
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Controversial summer reading suggestions stir emotions at East Penn School Board meeting.
The East Penn School Board meeting room was packed from wall-to-wall Monday night when a dozen or so members of the public and several students addressed the board about what some feel are questionable books included on Emmaus High School's suggested summer reading list. Though most came just to listen, emotions ran high as some condemned "Prep" by Curtis Sittenfeld and "The Electric Acid Kool-Aid Test" by Tom Wolfe as "morally reprehensible" material. Others commended the board for respecting intellectual integrity. Where do you fall on this issue? Tell us in the comments.
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East Penn School District Administrative Offices
800 Pine St, Emmaus, PA
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East Penn Board of School Directors will delay a decision on removing the books 'Prep' and 'The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test' from the Emmaus High School Suggested Summer Reading List until the works are properly evaluated.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include a paragraph on East Penn School Board President Charles Ballard's reasons for dismissing the motion before the school board last night. The original version did not provide that information. This will not be the last the East Penn Board of School Directors hears of controversial Emmaus High School suggested summer reading selections “Prep” and “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.” The board was expected to vote last night on a motion to eliminate Tom Wolfe’s “Acid Test,” which is on the 10th grade summer reading list, and “Prep,” a 9th-grade selection written by Curtis Sittenfeld, as summer reading options. However, Board President Charles Ballard dismissed the motion for procedural …
40.537169
-75.506229
East Penn School District Administrative Offices
800 Pine St, Emmaus, PA
/articles/prep-acid-test-could-still-get-the-axe-in-east-penn
1760508
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Two Emmaus High School students list their reasons the East Penn School Board should keep 'Prep' and 'The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test' on the suggested summer reading list.
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Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Special to Emmaus Patch By Chrissy Cilento, Emmaus High School Senior Out of all the evening plans I’ve heard my classmates talk about at school, one of the most unexpected had to be yesterday in English when two girls chattered excitedly about going to the school board meeting that night. Speaking from personal experience, unless something is really, really interesting, students don’t ever go to school board meetings. So why is it that all of a sudden when the words “Prep” and “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” are mentioned there’s a sudden influx of Emmaus High School students attending these meetings? Well, from what I see in school and hear in the hallways, kids are genuinely passionate about this situation. Just from talking to a …
Monday, September 24, 2012
A motion to remove two books from the Emmaus High School optional summer reading list is one of four motions up for decision at tonight’s meeting of the East Penn Board of School Directors.
The East Penn Board of School Directors is expected to vote tonight on a motion proposed by School Director Julian Stolz at the board’s Sept. 10 meeting that could remove two books from the Emmaus High School optional summer reading list. The decision before the board, if approved, would eliminate Tom Wolfe’s “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” which is on the 10th grade list, and “Prep,” a 9th-grade selection written by Curtis Sittenfeld. Stolz’s motion was prompted by a parent who came before the board at the Sept. 10 meeting to share her concerns about what she described as the pornographic nature of the books. To catch up on the Patch coverage of the "book ban" motion before tonight's meeting, including what your friends and neighbors …
40.537169
-75.506229
East Penn School District Administrative Offices
800 Pine St, Emmaus, PA
/articles/east-penn-to-vote-on-summer-reading-list-porn-tonight
1760508
/locations/7896500
Monday, September 17, 2012
Let us know if you are interested in joining our East Penn Patch virtual book discussion group on ‘Prep.’
Abel Anderson
8:38 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Immediately followed by a somewhat less orderly discussion at the Vera Cruz Tavern. Careless drinks for free. more ›