Permission letter - La historia oficial

December 12, 2007

Dear Parents/Guardians:

In Spanish IV, we will be learning about Argentina’s history in the 1970’s through the early 1980’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.

To prepare the students to understand the context of the film we will be learning about the history and politics of that time before we view it in class. The students will find they will be able to understand the most of the Spanish with the comfort of English subtitles to confirm and check their understanding. The students who have viewed it in previous years have found the excellent, well-acted and dramatic film a real benefit to both their language and cultural development.

If you are uncomfortable with your student viewing this film, of course 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 Friday, December 14, 2007.

Sincerely,

Catie Thurber-Brown

Spanish Teacher

Tigard High School

503-431-5563

cthurber@ttsd.k12.or.us

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Please check the appropriate space:

My son/daughter, _____________________________

(Name of student)

______ has permission to view The Official Story in class.

_____ I prefer my student do an alternative research activity.

Signed ___________________________________Date ______________

Parent/guardian