James Tate to attend Senior Prom: Headmaster Beth Smith commended for changing decision

Headmaster Beth Smith should be commended after all is said and done. As the Principal and disciplinarian at Shelton High School it had to be difficult changing her mind and allowing James Tate to attend the Senior Prom. After 150,000 Facebook Posts, letters to the Editor, Newscasts around the nation and editorials ad nauseam, one would think Ms. Smith was not a competent individual in a leadership role.

    The truth is that Ms. Beth Smith believed in the principles of disciplinary action by being fair and consistent. I choose to believe that was her modus operandi for attempting to stop Mr. James Tate from going to a once in a lifetime event, The Senior Prom.

   Ms. Smith should be commended for doing a very difficult thing. Changing her opinion under public pressure. When you have the world vilifying you and the Mayor and students as well as the media questioning your verdict it must have been very difficult.

    In the end, Mr Tate will be allowed to go to the prom and Ms. Smith will ultimately sleep better at night knowing that she made the right decision to back peddle. Most politicians do on a regular basis. The end result however, would have been a cruel and unusual punishment for a student that had good grades and no prior blemishes on his transcripts. A good time will hopefully be had by all and Ms. Smith will not be remembered as the villain that deprived a student of his rites of passage. Thank-you on behalf of all of the strangers that came forward to support this student and urged you to change your mind.

Steven L. Auerbach

Bridgeport,Connecticut

Shelton High student barred from prom,James Tate :, Shelton ,Connecticut

Regarding a recent article on the Shelton High School Student being barred from the Prom,.Headmaster Beth  Smith went overboard with the restriction to James Tate.His message to his girlfriend in Cutout cardboard letters were removed in less that 10 minutes. There was not any defacing or vandalism to the school property.

 

    To deprive the students from the prom is cruel and unusual punishment. High school students of every generation have been known to pull pranks. Some are of a serious nature and others are benign. However, pranks like prom are almost a rite of passage. Students look forward to this day for nearly 4 years . There was no bullying, vandalism or hurtful activity affecting anyone.

 

   The head master, Beth Smith as well as the superintendent of schools need to find a way to swallow their pride. This story has gone viral. These students were good students and active students. The ramifications of not allowing these students to go to prom could truly scar and impact the future of thee individuals. Years from now students and teachers may look back on this moment as a milestone of sorts.

 

 

    There are many romantics out there that are wondering how  could a Headmaster be so unreasonable? There is such misery in this world. Fears of terrorism , kids on drugs , pregnant teens etc. etc. etc.. These were upstanding students and I fear that not only is this going to stigmatize the town of Shelton , but the students and parents will be rallying behind these students.

 

    Sonal Rodrigues and James Tate deserve this rite of passage. Community Service would be more than necessary as a punishment. You are not only punishing the students , but also family and friends. The absence of these 2 students will be remembered by many for years to come.

 

    Ms. Smith , I wonder who they will get to play you when this becomes a Lifetime television movie. I urge you to find the humor of the situation, Slap Mr. Tate on the wrist and enjoy the Prom. It is a once in a lifetime event and life is short.

 

 

Steven L. Auerbach

Shelton Connecticut student Barred from Prom

  Regarding the recent article, In the Connecticut Post of the Shelton High School Student being barred from the Prom,.Head master Beth  Smith went overboard with the restriction to James Tate.His message to his girlfriend in Cutout cardboard letters were removed in less that 10 minutes. There was not any defacing or vandalism to the School property.

    To deprive the students from the prom is cruel and unusual punishment. High school students of every generation have been known to pull pranks. Some are of a serious nature and others are benign. However, pranks like prom are almost a rite of passage. Students look forward to this day for nearly 4 years . There was no bullying, vandalism or hurtful activity affecting anyone.

   The Headmaster, Beth Smith as well as the superintendent of schools need to find a way to swallow their pride. This story has gone viral. These students were good students and active students. The ramifications of not allowing these students to go to prom could truly scar and impact the future of these individuals. Years from now students and teachers may look back on this moment as a milestone of sorts.

    There are many romantics out there that are wondering how  could a Headmaster be so unreasonable? There is such misery in this world. Fears of terrorism , kids on drugs , pregnant teens etc. etc. etc. These were upstanding students and I fear that not only is this going to stigmatize the town of Shelton , but the students and parents will be rallying behind these students.

    Sonal Rodrigues and James Tate deserve this rite of passage. Community Service would be more than necessary as a punishment. You are not only punishing the students , but also family and friends. The absence of these 2 students will be remembered by many for years to come.

    Ms. Smith , I wonder who they will get to play you when this becomes a Lifetime television movie. I urge you to find the humor of the situation, Slap Mr. Tate on the wrist and enjoy the Prom. It is a once in a lifetime event and life is short.

Steven L. Auerbach