Parents question lewd actions at school event

To the editor:   On Nov. 14, our family attended the Harlem Wizards basketball game. It was hosted by South Oldham Middle School and advertised as a family event. Before the game, a Wizards player pulled a grown woman to the middle of the basketball court. Music began, and he used sexually provocative gestures, thrusting his pelvis toward the woman to the beat of the music. This started and stopped three times before the player bear-hugged the woman. They announced that because she was a “good sport” they had a gift for her.  Our 11-year-old-son said, “That’s sick.”  Our 6-year-old-daughter asked, “What is he doing to her?”  Our 8-year-old-daughter questioned, “Why is he doing that?”  They didn’t understand the gestures, but instinctively knew they were wrong. We chose to leave, not knowing if the vulgarity was over or just beginning. Ironically, SOMS administrators are working to improve school dances by discouraging these types of provocative gestures. Given the mixed message to SOMS students and that lewdness was presented in a “safe place,” we met with SOMS Principal Robb Clayton, who approved the fundraiser.  We asked if SOMS would communicate to the students that what the player did was inappropriate – perhaps a note home, confirming the school’s opposition to this lewd behavior, and an assurance of better scrutiny for future events. While Mr. Clayton agreed that the player’s actions were lewd, he told us he didn’t plan to do anything about it.  We attempted to meet with Superintendent Paul Upchurch. Instead, Assistant Superintendent Will Wells called us. He said he supported Mr. Clayton’s stance and said that he, as well as Mr. Upchurch, wouldn’t meet with us as they saw no need. He emphasized that our phone conversation is where the issue would end.  We never heard from Mr. Upchurch. Regardless of anyone’s stance on the issue of lewd behavior in schools, we’re concerned about the mixed message at SOMS. The lewd message sent to young children who attended this “family event” is concerning. And perhaps most of all, the arrogance we experience from school officials, those paid by our hard-earned tax dollars, is alarming. They are supposed to work for us!  Perhaps our elected school board members will take note of this. We hope Oldham County voters and concerned parents will.    Kenn and RuthAnn Lewis, Pewee Valley