Subject: Frank Simpon's Memory Addendum--PHS
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2002 15:28:06 -0500
From: "Frank Simpson"
To: ALL

THANKS TO TODD!

Todd--Many thanks to you and the others who have made it possible to have a "virtual reunion" with the group as well as individual e-mail exchanges with two class members.

I see that you are thinking about a web cast of the reunion program. Let me know if that is planned. While I will not be home that evening I think that I can arrange to record or store it for later viewing. My clunky 56 K dial-up should handle it. Another thought is to make a video of the program portion.The cost of duping to VHS tapes should be minimal and I am reasonably sure that they would sell--not just to attendees--but to others. Perhaps pre-orders if it is "advertised" on the web page. Whether you Web Cast or videotape, make sure that each person is introduced or gives their name so those of us in the "virtual world" will have a chance at identifying the speakers.

ONE FINAL MEMORY

We certainly had a great teaching corps. In a side bar with another classmate I suggested that Ken Burns ought to make a PBS special on this group of public education teachers that taught us--and in many instances our brothers and sisters.

Certainly, Emily Rice taught me the value of rules and discipline. Nevertheless, another teacher gave me an object lesson that I never forgot--sometimes the "rules" can be suspended.

It was Spanish class and the teacher was Miss Stapaitis (sp?). The personal pressure for grades was tremendous and "A's" were all important in my myopic world at the time. For reasons that I cannot recall I was in trouble in that class one month. It was time for grades and I clearly recall going to class that day to receive the "horror of horrors"--"F."

I remember the sinking feeling in my stomach when she passed out the grades.

--The world was coming to an end!

--I was "toast!"

--Think "Dead Man Walking."

I opened the card and saw that the "F" had an extra vertical leg. I remember staring at the "A" and turning up to see her slightly smiling back as she walked on.

Yup, she gave me a pass.

From time to time over the years I thought of this event when I was "passing judgment" on others. And sometimes I "suspended" the rules just as she did.

Frank Simpson

P.S. To Dave--You leave NYC and the Russian Tea Room closes. Now THAT is REAL power!