THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 9, 1996 TAG: 9605090010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
Concerning ``Drama teacher in Norfolk suspended, may be fired'' (Metro-News, April 3):
I am the parent of one of Miss Connie's prior Performing Arts Reportory graduates and have seen for myself the care and discipline that she exercised on a daily basis. There is no finer person I can think of to whom to entrust the care and development of my child. Connie Hindmarsh doesn't go to work to do a job; she gives us a daily gift - a better place to live through her interaction with our children.
There is something wrong here, but it is not Connie Hindmarsh. It is a school-system leader who would allow unfounded rumors to mark the reputation and embarrass a true role model in our community. Ten incredibly successful years of service to Norfolk public schools should have warranted an in-depth investigation, including questioning the chaperones who accompanied the students on the trip to Springfield.
My student was in the first Reportory class to perform. I saw every show I could for the first four years, and have continued to attend performances during the past six years. I have seen children grow from stuttering freshmen to skilled theater performers as seniors.
If Mr. Nichols thinks the Repertory Company will resume production next year without Connie Hindmarsh, he knows even less about Norfolk public-schools theater production than he does about loyalty!
BILL WILSON
Norfolk, April 26, 1996 by CNB