Letter to Mr. Tkach from Jules Dervaes
Copyright © Jules Dervaes
May 12, 1986
Mr. Joseph Tkach
RE: Imperial Schools
Dear Sir,
On Monday, May 5, during school hours, Imperial Schools took my eleven-year-old daughter, along with her class, to see the Harlem Ballet at the Ambassador Auditorium. This was done without prior notification to parents and, therefore, without my permission.
I vehemently object to this action which usurps parental authority and undermines parental responsibility. As a parent, I have the God-given right and corresponding responsibility to determine what my child is exposed to; and I am appalled that Imperial Schools did not recognize that FACT.
Furthermore, what is totally without justification is the lack of prudence on the part of Imperial for failing to consider whether the Harlem Ballet would be appropriate viewing for children. Some investigation into the style, content, and costumes of the program would have been in order. Even Ambassador College students have movies reviewed, and edited, in order to prevent “surprises” from the world. In the case of a live performance, the “ounce-of-prevention” principle should have been applied.
The above case is a dangerous precedent showing an absence of foresight. Because the mind of a child is extremely impressionable, it needs to be subject to guidance and not to guessing. Again, to reiterate, this action occurred without parental knowledge or permission. It marks a betrayal of the trust that I as a parent have given the school.
I have not surrendered, and will not surrender, my child to the absolute jurisdiction of a school. I alone am ultimately responsible for my child and must answer to God for my stewardship. I believe the school should exist to support and assist the parent, not to replace or ignore the parent.
I am requesting that the government of God for the family be respected by Imperial Schools.
Thank you for your response to this plea.
Jules Dervaes
(A copy has been sent to Dr. Sherrod.)