Sp IV_Official Story Permission Letter

May 9, 2006
Dear Parents:

In Spanish IV, we will be learning about Argentina’s history in the 1970’s where people were taken by the government, and many were never seen again.  As an important part of this unit, I plan on showing the award-winning film, The Official Story. Through the events that occur to a fictious family, the movie demonstrates the political realities of this time of “the disappeared ones” during “The Dirty War,” as it is known in Argentina.  The movie is dramatic, showing many sides of the issues involved.  This unrated film, would probably be a PG-13 film for some conversations with coarse language and a brief moment of anger and violence.  Overall, the tone is dignified, suspenseful, and emotional.  The historical events addressed in this movie are sad, disturbing and thought-provoking.  

I plan on showing this film in the upcoming weeks to my Spanish IV class.  We will be learning about the history and politics of that time, and preparing to understand the context of the film before we view it in class.  The language is very comprehensible to the students.  Students who have viewed it in previous years have benefited from viewing this excellent, dramatic film in Spanish, with the comfort of English subtitles to confirm and check their understanding.

If you are uncomfortable with your child viewing this film, I will arrange for him or her to have an alternate activity as an option while we are watching the movie in class. The following website provides an historical overview of the issues surrounding The Dirty War:  http://www.desaparecidos.org/arg/

For your student to be able to participate, I need to have the permission slips returned by Thursday, May 11, 2006.

Sincerely,


Catie Thurber-Brown
Spanish Teacher
Tigard High School
503-431-5563
cthurber@ttsd.k12.or.us
-    -    -    -    -    -   -   -    -   -   -   -    -    -    -    -    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -  -   -   -   -   -  

_____ My son/daughter, _____________________________has permission to view The Official Story in class.                             (Name of student)
     
_____     Please arrange an alternative activity for my child, ________________________________
                                             (Name of student)



Signed ___________________________________Date ______________
          (parent/guardian)