Frisco Teacher 09-28-06



		NAC Advisory TEXAS: FRISCO TEACHER RELEASED September 28, 2006

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	******************************************************************** NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE ADVISORY ****************************************************************** http://www.naturistaction.org ****************************************************************** Copyright 2006 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and without alteration. DATE: September 28, 2006 SUBJECT: Teacher is released over nude statuary on museum field trip TO: All naturists and other concerned individuals Dear Naturist, The Naturist Action Committee (NAC) wishes to make you aware of developments in an important situation. Many news sources are presently carrying the story of Sydney McGee, an art teacher at Wilma Fisher Elementary School in the north Texas town of Frisco. The Frisco school board chose Monday not to renew Ms. McGee's teaching contract after she took a group of fifth graders to the Dallas Museum of Art, where some of them saw one or more of the classical nude sculptures displayed there. The "incident" happened during a school-approved field trip to the museum last April. Eighty-nine students went on the field trip, each with explicit parental permission. Afterward, the parent of one student complained to school officials about the nude art on view at the museum, and Ms. McGee was put on notice that her job was at risk. WHY IS THIS A NATURIST ISSUE? The outrageous action of the school board stamps official endorsement on an unhealthy and dangerous local attitude toward body acceptance, which is a naturist core value. A significant number of naturists are educators, and they are watching this issue carefully. On a larger scale, when a remote connection to benign nudity can be used as a justification for termination of employment, we are all threatened. The school board's choice not to renew the teaching contract of Sydney McGee over the issue of nude statuary in a public art museum creates damaging public policy. NAC is part of the response that challenges the legitimacy of such policy. WHAT IS NAC DOING? The Naturist Action Committee is working closely with the top-rated Dallas law firm of Clouse Dunn Hirsch LLP, which is representing the teacher, Ms. McGee. The case is being handled primarily as a matter of employment law at this point. However, an anticipated subsequent phase will include the opportunity to address more directly the underlying issue of the inappropriate intolerance for nudity in art, as well as the misperception that viewing mere nudity is somehow harmful to children. Acting on behalf of naturists, NAC and its sister organization, the Naturist Education Foundation, have become important resources to lead attorney Rogge Dunn and the legal team representing Ms. McGee. WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO? This is an informational advisory only. The Naturist Action Committee is NOT asking for your action. NAC specifically asks that you do NOT contact board members of the Frisco Independent School District at this time. NAC anticipates an upcoming appropriate time and circumstance for letters expressing your outrage and dismay on this issue, but that time is NOT RIGHT NOW. Watch for further NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this topic. PLEASE HELP NAC HELP LOCAL NATURISTS** The Naturist Action Committee exists to advance and protect the rights and interests of naturists throughout North America. As the nonprofit volunteer political adjunct to The Naturist Society, NAC acts as a strong proponent of body acceptance. The programs of the Naturist Action Committee rely entirely on the voluntary support of involved naturists. Please donate generously with a check to: NAC PO Box 132 Oshkosh, WI 54903 Or use your credit card to make a direct donation online through NAC's Web site: www.naturistaction.org/donate/ Thank you for choosing to make a difference. Naturally, Bob Morton Executive Director Naturist Action Committee --------------------------------------------------------------- Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903 Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com --------------------------------------------------------------- \| Top \| Return to Current NAC Advisories \| Return to NAC Home Page \| Entire contents © 2006 Naturist Action Committee, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.