Prep School Makes Errors in Letter Responding to Viral Claim Their Students Can't Read

[GreatGazoo]

Background: A student at a prep school near Philadelphia made a viral video of fellow students struggling to properly pronounce the French words "silhouette" and "gauche". The video circulated widely with the claim that these STEM students, all of whom are Black, "Can't read!!" As would be expected a tsunami of hot takes, condescension and narratives about how terrible schools have allegedly become ensued.

The next cycle of this teapot tempest circulated as 'Student Expelled for Video Exposing...'

To their slight credit, the school placed a statement on their homepage responding to the controversy. But to their detriment they did not defend the Black students being bullied by the video creator and those piling on; only themselves! That's Admin for you.

Worse, they made two obvious errors in that response letter. 1) They errantly place the final sentence in quotes. 2) "Me" in that sentence does not agree with the safety-in-numbers anonymous signature: "Prep Charter Administration" Points off for the extra "or" after the Oxford comma, for the comma splice and for "denied prom". What they wanted was:

FERPA rules do not allow disclosure of the disciplinary action taken but the student who made the video is not facing expulsion and remains eligible to attend our Prom and graduation ceremonies.

Or, for a bit of fun:

Sacre bleu! FERPA rules are de rigueur! It would be faux pas and beaucoup gauche to disclose our disciplinary action. This viral debacle feels like deja vu but c'est la vie. Comme ci, comme ça"

- - - -

While some students may have agreed to be filmed, the way the footage was presented lacks important context and has led to a portrayal that is misleading and unfair. The video titled “Can You Read?” does not represent the character, effort, or abilities of our students as a whole.

Furthermore, the resulting posts also shared on social media regarding the disciplinary action of the student who recorded the video are also an inaccurate portrayal of our school’s mission, which focuses on maintaining a respectful and supportive environment for all students. Our priority remains ensuring that every student feels valued and that our school continues to reflect the standards of academic growth, integrity, and digital responsibility that define Prep Charter. We appreciate the community’s understanding and continued support.

"Although FERPA rules do not allow me to discuss the details of what disciplinary action was taken, the student in question is not facing expulsion, or denied prom or graduation."

https://prepchs.org/