D&D has threatened my job!

[KnowTheToe]

Speaking as an X teacher, I would say you are crossing into very dangerous territory, but not suicidal. Be very careful, get written permission form the parents, on the permission form explain briefly what the game is about. It would be best to meet with all of the parents in person and have them sign the form then.

Meet in a public place if possible, if not think hard about cancelling your game.

You know as well as I that if your principal knows so do many other people. The students are HS and not your students, so the HS pricipal probably knows as well as some if not all of the school board. People usually don't stop their complaining after one call, especially when they already know the chain of command.

I am sorry you are going through this, but as a male teacher you know how perilous this can be.

 

[sawbones]

As a physician and previous game store owner, I generally stuck to having underage players play in my group only when in a public area (luckily my own game store suited that purpose admirably.)

I would suggest when gaming with schoolkids from the school at which you teach that you consider the same, use the library, ask the local game store, see if the local leisure centre/rec centre/pool/ice rink has a public room. Sometimes a local pizza joint will suffice.

Fair, maybe not. Safe, absolutely

Such is the life when employed by the public.

Grant

 

[dren]

Another few options:

All gaming sessions should be open. Invite the parents (and anyone else) to come and watch a session. Have them learn just what you do.

Don't be private; be direct. Say, this is our hobby and this is what we like to do. Answer questions about it. Go to things like public or county fairs and have a small booth with books. Hold fundraising for charities. Make yourself a known commodity in the community. People tend to distrust things they don't know...so make yourself known. Once they know you, you will ne regarded as a bunch of nerds and geeks, rather than dangerous cultists spreading an "occult" message with an evil game.

Have other gamers, especially professionals, speak up. Whenever anyone does make a discouraging remark, invite them over to a game. Have the pastor, priest, minister, rabbis, police (or their volunteers), members of the military, local media, any writers or artists in the area. Have this list ready anytime someone makes a bad comment. Do the leg-work up front.

And, most importantly, DON"T DM or play.

You can't be apart of the action with kids, especially in school. You can watch and help organize the group and their activities, but the game, at least in school should be focused exclusively on the kids. Your fun and enjoyment should take a back-seat to your responsibility in making sure they have the freedom to have fun.

Yeah, I know this is probably not the kind of advice you want to hear, but, people will talk about an adult "playing" a game with kids. Life sucks and is sometimes unfair. If there's a chance you could get the boys banned from playing the game, or if you could lose your job, well, swallow your pride and give up the game, at least with the kids.

 

[pogre]

I have a unique perspective here - I am a lawyer and a high school history teacher. I gave up my law practice to go into teaching and coaching. Still have a couple of near and dear clients and maintain the ole' law license, because you never know.

There is no question your principal did you a huge favor. Frankly, the vast majority of administrators would say "get those kids out of your game now."

That is my advice BTW - get those kids out of your game now. You know as well as I do parent complaints are what drive administrators. The impression of others in your school system that you are weird may not bother you, but politically that is not a solid position. When RIFs come down administrators make an effort to lose troublesome teachers. They change job descriptions or slide positions and unless you have a lot of tenure in the district you're on the outs.

Missouri unions are not as powerful as ours in Illinois, but you need to make your rep aware of the meeting with your principal via written letter. Create a paper trail to save any possible recourse you may choose to take later.

Finally, sadly, I must advise you to drop the kids from your game. I know when I was hurting for players a few years ago I was sorely tempted to allow some seniors to play in my campaign. Politically though, I knew it put me in a bad position. Picture yourself defending yourself before the school board - would they agree there is nothing strange about a teacher playing D&D with high school students? You know the answer - sad as it is. Be smart.

 

[Umbra]

Be very careful. It sounds like the powder keg is just that. Something that could blow up bad.

Perhaps you could play at the house of one of your younger players so their parents are 'supervising'. Which parents carry the most influence in the community or the church? They would be the best choice.

I also second a public place, especially if it's connected to the church. Or is there any other youth organisations with a lot of local support you could use. Or perhaps any other community organisation (i'm down under so don't know the US groups but I'm thinking of the Lions, or Rotary, etc.)

Another idea (but a bit of work), you could also have a fundraising games day for some local cause that gets people playing all sorts of games and include some rpg introductory sessions for anyone interested.
(someone beat me to the punch. problem of trying to sneak a post in at work and getting interrupted )

 

[Aristotle]

I'm neither a lawyer nor a parent, so you could probably get better advice. D&D doesn't have nearly the bad reputation it once had and your principal sounds like he's fairly understanding. I'd suggest proposing a gaming club. Write up a proposal indicating its benefits (socialization with peers, creativity building, basic math and reading comprehension, whatever) and have the parents sign consent forms. To them it should be proposed as an afterschool activity where there kids can interact socially with adult supervision.

It'd be neat to be in a position to help form the next generation of gamers, and who knows... maybe some of their older siblings or even parents will take an interest and ask to get in on your home game.

 

[swrushing]

Ok, i am not a parent nor a teacher if you discount occasional tutoring of college kids.

be practical. teachers are already under the gun as for conduct with studnets and when you weigh the two items "gaming with minors" and "teaching kids" there is no comparison. Risking the latter to keep the former is what i would call irresponsible.

is it fair? nope. But this is a fight you can only lose and lose big.

cut your losses.

 

[d20Dwarf]

I would cut the kids out of the game until they get written permission to play with you. I would also start a campaign of information within your district and community about roleplaying games. GAMA, www.gama.org , will be your biggest friend and ally in this.

 

[Celtavian]

re

Damn, this is kind of sad. Teachers are no longer trusted around the students they teach even in small towns.

 

[sjmiller]

You know, it is a pretty sad and disturbed society we live in when even the most innocuous of activities are seen as "a threat upon 'our' children." It makes me sick that this is even an issue, let alone one where people are saying that you need to consult a lawyer!

If a parent of a minor involved in a game has a problem with it, then a responsible member of the game group (usually the DM, but no always) should have a talk with the parent. You can find out what their concern is, and work out a sane and logical conclusion. If someone has a problem with the game who is not related to any member of the game, I would seriously question their motives for their opposition. I would also be tempted to tell them to mind their own bloody business.

I play in an Original D&D every week. This games has been going on for over 20 years. There are some players who are original players, and others who are brand new. We range in age from 50 (The DM) to somewhere in their high teens. I am one of the older players at 39. One of the players is a high school teacher, and I (among other things) do volunteer work with a youth theater company. Nobody involved in this game, from the teenagers right through us "old folk" have ever thought that we need to be careful, or that some parent might try and get us fired.

This is about as civil as I can get on the subject, so I will stop commenting here.