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Arroyo Grande teacher takes students to nude beach

March 2, 2010

By KAREN VELIE

An Arroyo Grande High School photography teacher allegedly took four students on an unapproved field trip to a local nude beach, and now some parents are upset.

“I think it was bizarre,” said one parent who asked to remain anonymous because of her daughter’s discomfort with the situation. “It was not appropriate.”

While some of the teenage girls’ parents had signed broad waivers allowing photography teacher Allen Fraser to take their children off campus for photo taking, some had not signed the releases.

On Feb. 17, Fraser asked four of his first and second period students to accompany him to Pirates Cove, a nude beach with a reputation as a hook-up spot for homosexuals. Fraser drove two of the girls to the beach in his car and two others followed in their own car, according to parents.

When they arrived at the beach, the girls were instructed to shoot photos.

Currently, a lawsuit filed by San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Deputy John Franklin claims that, because of a brush with a masturbating homosexual he encountered at Pirates Cove during an undercover sting operation, he suffers from mental and emotional distress.

Arroyo Grande High School Principal Ryan Pinkerton told CalCoastNews he was unaware of the teacher’s excursion to Pirates Cove.

“Just going there is inappropriate,” Pinkerton said.

Pinkerton had said he would look into the issue and respond. However, his staff then forwarded all requests for comment to the district office. Officials at the Lucia Mar School District were unavailable for comment.


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I would expect this kind of response from teenagers, not adults.


Looks like the times have changed and that young adults are WAY more mature.


Minorities are taking over the “majority”


We wouldn’t want something bad to happen to any of you, right?


More specifically, we wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to this website, right?


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“More specifically, we wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to this website, right?”

Hey Mr Flamboyant, is that a threat?


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I’m curious, like Cindy, what you mean. If the site is wrong on this issue that will not be a big deal, they have always been right and one miss won’t matter. Anyone can see from my postings I am a fierce defender of the Cove, gays, the teacher and the students-based on what I’ve heard so far. But I am a fiercer defender of this site and the good it does our community by bringing issues to our table-often hidden by the ‘authorities’ or neglected by the regular press.


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hotdog, I am curious what Flamboyant means, I don’t think he is talking about “something bad happening to this site” in the context that you suggest. Some of these kids have already made private threats not only to this site but to other students (just ask the school board). Frankly I don’t see anything in this story that is incorrect. Perhaps it is missing some facts but the facts that are there are correct.

Perhaps you don’t think the Cove deserves the reputation that has erupted particularly over a masturbating priest and a gold digging deputy, maybe your right, regardless, the Cove is a nude beach, titillating or not, it’s no place for high school students on a class assignment, agreed?


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A fact is a true, accurate piece of information. Absence of facts is absence of truth. Because this article lacks vital pieces of information, it leads the readers to dangerous, and very wrong, conclusions. If that’s the type of reporting you want to do, that’s your prerogative, Ms. Velie, but I can’t help but lose respect for you and question your professionalism.


Mr. Fraser did go to the beach with a few girls, but the article fails to mention that there were about sixteen more female and male students in attendance as well. I was in the first and second period group that went to Pirate’s Cove and every single student from those two periods went to the same place. I’m almost positive that no girls went out on their own. We tend to photograph in pairs or groups. Mr. Fraser didn’t just ask these four girls to go to the nude beach with him like, “Hey, girls, you wanna go to a nude beach with me?” No, this was a class decision. This partial reporting is like saying “The man held the young girl his van for five hours.” I’m sure anyone who reads that will have a negative reaction. It sounds as if the man has pedophiliac motives and the girl was in captivity, but if more details are included, you will find that the man is the father, his wife and sons were in the car also, and she was not allowed to leave because they were on a roadtrip and she would die if she just jumped out of the van. This example shows the importance of including all details to convey the truth, and as a news source, that should be your main priority.


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AGAIN, Mr. Frasier DID go to the site. PERIOD….AND you all followed..PERIOD..Not a good choice. You all admit it! As I said earlier, Mr. Frasier DOESN’T normally go with the kids, he normally says behind..why did he go on this trip?


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I’ve already explained the difference between this shoot and the other days, but I’ll go into more detail if you really don’t understand.


This day at Pirate’s Cove was a special occasion. This is only the third shoot that we have done as a class. The class is about enhancing each individual’s skills in photography. We study, we practice, we learn over time and develop our own styles and follow our own interests. As a teacher, Mr. Fraser cherishes the opportunity to see his teaching come to life. As students, we like to see the work of our peers. That is why going somewhere as a group with our instructor is a valuable learning experience. This wasn’t some sick plan conjured by Fraser to go with us somewhere, find a student who ventured alone and take advantage of that student. That’s what I assume must be your fear considering there is absolutely no problem with a photography teacher accompanying his photography students on a photography trip. I understand and applaud your concern for the safety of your daughter, but this is the wrong situation and Mr. Fraser is the wrong man of whom to be wary.


Now, normal procedure is that Fraser gives us a shooting assignment. In the past these have been portraits, color, documentary, composition, things like that. Because there are only something like six cameras and sixteen students, we are put into groups and each group gets a specific day to sign out a camera and go off campus, or on campus if they choose, to shoot. Obviously if only one group, of about four students, is able to shoot and leave daily, that means that Fraser has to stay behind and help the other students. Your underestimating teenagers may be what is making this so difficult for you to grasp. He doesn’t need to go with us on every shooting adventure.


To sum it up, Fraser went on this trip because it was a group shot and it is not logical for sixteen students to revel in the joy of photography while the teacher sits in an empty classroom. Surely you don’t expect a class portraying the beauty of the world to learn entirely within the confines of a classroom. Variation in education is good for the brain.


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Cindy,

I didn’t suggest anything, you did by asking if the comment was a ‘threat’. I simply said I admire this site.


I would agree if this were a weekend day in the summer, instead of a cold day in the winter when the motive and result were surely an effort to enjoy the natural beauty of the environs, rather than naked bodies.


One concept none of us has explored is the maturity and advanced worldliness of teenagers these days over older folks. I could give many examples but I think we all know-sexual mores, foul language-we all hope to shield our young-uns from such things. Not a chance. They know more than their folks do, they’ve probably seen and heard it all from their peers, TV, the net, movies-our culture is riddled with intense sensory assault of every type. To presume nudity, exposure to a gay person or environment, or even a criminal situation would somehow shock them is ludicrous. They are so far advanced in nearly all respects (just look at their posts) it is hopeless to protect them from the issues of society.


In fact, all the polls indicate our youth are amazed with our homophobia (Prop hate, oops, 8). So, though I would not throw them into a nude beach willy nilly I think the conditions make that a non issue in this case.


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hotdog, not all teenagers mature at the same rate. Some kids are more sheltered than others. Not all parents would agree with you and they have every right to expect that their children are where they are supposed to be and not out at Pirates Cove. Not all these students had permission slips to even be off campus.

I have looked at these posts and I have to say that they range from very immature, highly emotional, hormone raging kids who can’t formulate a clear idea of what the issues even are about, all the way to an adult who is posting as a teenager. There have been very solid contentions related here as to why some parents are upset.

The idea that it was OK to go to a nude beach because it was cold out is funny, it really is. Many the school board should write that one into the rules!!


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I hope you’re not referring to me as the “adult who is posting as a teenager.”


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“The idea that it was OK to go to a nude beach because it was cold out is funny, it really is. Many the school board should write that one into the rules!!”


Are we so desperate for order by law that we disregard our own common sense? I’m sure the number of nudists who enjoy gallivanting freely on the morning of a winter day is much smaller than your paranoid psychosis is leading you to believe. It’s as simple as having the good thought to choose to cross a street when there are no cars coming, or burglarize a home when the owners are away: the danger previously causing delay is not present currently, it is safe to proceed.


You know the old saying, ‘When the nudists are away, the photography students will play.’ I hear that all the time…


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Well Mrs., Ms or Miss carsopolus, I suggest that you run this pitch by the school board and come back and tell us all what they had to say.

Oh yes, stop by and try it on with the PTA while your at it. I suspect you will find that we are all suffering from the same form of what you so arrogantly call paranoid psychosis.

In the mean time, Pirates Cove is and will be off limits for high school students during school hours, of that I’m certain.


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Okay, now I know for sure that you think I’m the adult posting as a teenager. Why do you think that? Because it’s common for adults to go on comment boards and pretend to be students and defend beloved teachers they don’t even have just for kicks and giggles? If you read any of my comments, which I’m sure you have, you would know that by my word I cannot be a Mr. or a Mrs. If you want to ignore the truth as it is, which you do considering your acceptance of this atrocious article, then so be it. I can’t change your mind. I can’t force you to discuss something as a mature adult. The desire must be in you.


You wanna meet some time, Cindy? I’ll bring my birth certificate, my drivers license, my school ID, my mom if you want. Sound good? Probably not, right? Because if you knew for a fact that I am an 18 year old senior at AGHS you wouldn’t have anything to patronize me over, would you? Hell, traditional manners dictate that you might have to…gasp….respect me or something. Oh nooo, can’t have that happening.


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Here is what I have so far. The classes voted or decided to go to Pirate’s Cove area to take photos of the natural environment (the article reported the teacher suggested the cove, the students say THEY decided the destination). While assembling in the parking lot the students, according to how they do these excursions, formed up in twos or threes to wander around and take their photos. If there were 16 to 20 students there (according to many who posted here, whereas the article indicated the teacher only took four girls there) how could the teacher know or prevent a few of them wandering to the beach area? Photo opportunities abound in the parking lot, the cliffs and the beach. One or more of the students willingly went on this field trip and then complained later on, for the only reason they went to the Cove-NOT because something untoward happened there. So why did they go in the first place? Didn’t they vote or have a chance to voice their apprehension in the class room beforehand? Did they even go onto the beach? I wonder if anyone with a brain is looking into this, and finding the facts. Simply asking people what they and others did is not enough, specifics and details are necessary to separate the truth from the bull. I imagine finding out would take a couple hours of questioning of all parties and the truth would be before us. I wonder if anyone is doing that, what we have now is a bunch of armchair cowboys spouting off.


The class either decided to go there-or not.

The teacher either took only four girls there-or not.

The teacher followed normally accepted procedures-or not.

Pirate’s Cove is a hotbed of deviant perverts-or not.

The teacher had a reasonable expectation to believe he might expose innocent little teenies to nude sunbathers on the morning of a cool winter day-or not.

Who can determine the results of my little quiz?


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I’ll take a shot, hotdog.


-The class decided to go there. Mr. Fraser asked where we wanted to go for the group shoot. Students suggested a variety of areas, and because of the beauty and the fact that there is no other place on the Central Coast like it (contrary to uncommon, ignorant belief, not all pieces of the coast look the same), we settled on Pirate’s Cove. No student made an objection.

-The teacher did NOT only take four girls. The photography class periods one and two have about sixteen students in all and every single one met at Pirate’s Cove that morning.

-The teacher followed normally accepted procedures. We were required to sign a permission slip at the beginning of each semester that alllowed us to go off campus. The only things that would have stopped us from going to Pirate’s Cove that day would have been the daughter telling her parents the some time before we went (because this was not a spontaneous decision, we planned it out at least a day before) or if the daughter had the discernment a junior or senior in high school should have to voice her discomfort.

-I’m not sure how to address this one, I don’t have the proper statistics of crime at Pirate’s Cove or the numbers to see if regular folk seeking the beauty of nature go to Pirate’s Cove more than the perverts or what. I can only share my own personal experience. I have gone to Pirate’s Cove numerous times, mostly as a minor, and I have never seen a nude person there, even during the warmer summer months and sunny days. I’ve never seen anyone masturbating or being a pervert in any way. I have, however, seen used condoms and beer bottles and stuff like that. I know that bad things take place there, but it is by no means a “hotbed”.

-I don’t believe Mr. Fraser had a reasonable expectation to believe he might expose “innocent little teenies” to anything. Like you said, it was a cold winter morning. I know for sure that as I drove to and arrived at Pirate’s Cove, I never once even considered the possibility of seeing a nudist. That seems absurd to me, to be frank.


I hope I helped.


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OK, someone who claims to have been present for ALL the issues before us has made some very specific claims about what happened-quite different from the tone and data presented by the article and some commenters here. All these claims can be easily verified by the school folks and maybe even some parents. I would urge the students to get the truth in to the school authorities asap and demand a fair and unbiased investigation.

If carsopolus is correct then I would hope the people in error would offer a sincere apology for jumping the gun in their invective against Mr. Fraser. And by my intuition and good faith in the students I will be heralded as a soothsayer by guessing the truth! Let’s get to the truth.


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carsopolus, Your points are all well made and well taken, I’m sure this is all frustrating for you. What you don’t seem to understand is that there are plenty of students that have not reached the age of consent in your photo lab class. I hope you consider attending law school because your a born natural however regardless of the profession you may seek in the future, the day will arrive when you will laugh at the very idea of a policy being written that incorporates the ‘cold weather option’ to an exempted nude beach high school excursion. Policy just doesn’t land on paper that way, for one thing they would have to include how cold is cold enough, from there it will have to include what happens if it warms up while the students are there and how fast do they have to leave if it should reach what degree, etc etc etc , There is simply no end to it because where there is a loop hole someone always finds it, get my point? That’s what makes it all so funny. Fortunately or unfortunately, official policy assumes nothing, particularly that very idea that everyone is going to use sound judgment.

As for Mr. Fraser, I’m sure this is a first for the school board. I doubt it ever dawned on them that they would need a policy that said no nude beach excursions, that is why he is on ‘temporary’ suspension.

I doubt they will take any further action apart from writing that policy.


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The problem is that the stories and facts differ depending on which student you talk to. This gives the impression that they either are covering up all the facts or they are attempting to deflect questionable behavior by any means necessary. What they didn’t seem to understand is that the fact that the teacher had 2 girls in his car and 2 girls following added credibility to his innocuous intentions and not the other way around.

Second, some of these students pointed to a website stating that we could view their group shots taken at the Cove the day of the excursion. The problem is that some of the group shots weren’t taken at the Cove. So it is the students themselves that have fanned these flames. I personally agree (that at face value) this all seems to be a lot to do about nothing. At the same time I suspect that you don’t have school age children, if you did you would know that there are policies in place and these policies clearly appear to have been ‘skirted’.


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The above post was intended for hotdog.


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I know some students in the class have not reached the age of consent. Fortunately for them, their parents are well past that age, and, fortunately for the school and Mr. Fraser, those parents are the ones who willfully wrote their signatures on the consent form for students to leave campus. This is common knowledge, so I don’t understand your point. There have been allegations that not all students had the consent forms signed, but I will be astonished if that is the case. Each student had to get their guardian to sign that consent form at the beginning of both semesters. Mr. Fraser really bugged us about that. He asked the students every day if they had turned it in. I doubt he merely neglected to have every consent form in for every student.


I never suggested a new policy concerning students being allowed or prohibited from going to a nude beach during school hours based on temperature and season. I was only asserting the importance of common sense in this matter.


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“What they didn’t seem to understand is that the fact that the teacher had 2 girls in his car and 2 girls following added credibility to his innocuous intentions and not the other way around.”


But what you don’t seem to understand is that this is not a fact. This is nothing but lazy reporting. There would be no story if the “reporter” told the whole truth. Does Ms. Velie take the first thing she hears and add an irrelevant story of a cop suffering emotional trauma?Did she care to investigate anything besides the testimony of an ill-informed, hysterically-capitalizing-random-words mother?


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To start I would like to say that I am completely appalled by how slanderous this post/comments are against the gay community. As a student at Arroyo Grande High School, I am surrounded everyday by people of many backgrounds and lifestyles, including those who have braved the fear of being looked down upon due to their sexual orientation. Luckily for them on our campus their is a Gay-Straight Alliance club that gives them a voice into how they are treated.


Recently our Friday Night Live group had a campaign against ending discrimination towards people no matter what color their skin is, how they live their life, or their sexual orientation. In our quad hung a giant poster with hundreds of pledges to stop discrimination on our campus and in our everyday life, I signed a pledge and this is my stand. Comical that you folk of an older generation say our education is degrading while you leave your ignorance in the shadows of your mind.


The fact that their was indeed a homosexual man caught in a sting engaging in an illegal manner is irrelevant due to the fact that the students were there. Yes it shows how scandalous and vulgar the area is, but if that is the case, then why haven’t local law enforcement taken more action on the issue opposed to giving it the cold shoulder? And why is there so much emphasis on the fact that he was homosexual? The fact that you are putting so much towards that point is ridiculous and benighted.


With that, I must say that this article is extremely vague since it lacks much detail which is probably why it lacks the media attention which would be seen normally in a situation as such. There is a reason that yellow journalism died along with Hearst and Pulitzer.


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My apologies, second paragraph I would like to note that I meant to say: “had a campaign for ending discrimination.”


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Second notation, in the second paragraph: “irrelevant to the fact that the students were there”


Better late then never for those of you who seek clarification.


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You and yours are our only hope for a better future. You’ve taken a stand. There is no place in a civilized society for discrimination. I am one of the ‘ancient ones’ who will stick by you.


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If this is such a problem spot as some say it is, why haven’t I’ve seen any articles or photos detailing all the used condemns, dirty underwear, and x-rated gay sex acts that some say happen there frequently? Nudism itself isn’t x-rated, but if it’s bringing in deviant behavior to the cliffs around it, then there needs to be something done. I’m only aware of one arrest that has taken place there in the last 30 years.


What about other area’s that have a reputation that some would say isn’t suited for minors? Why are Shell Beach Elementary school students allowed to walk past Alex’s Bar-B-Que in the morning and afternoon by themselves? There has been 2 fights there, one resulting in a death. Then there is the bathroom in Montana De Oro that had that guy sitting on the milk crate with a rain poncho on at the bottom of the collection hole. Is this area off limits to minors too?


If the student’s were allowed to rock climb, then that’s a liability issue which needs to be dealt with in addition to any other school rules the teacher may have violated. If the parent’s signed a permission slip to allow field photography trips during the semester, where’s the parent’s responsibility to tell the school/teacher where they don’t want their student’s going to? My 3 daughters attended AGHS and they are all in college now (my youngest is still 17). I wouldn’t have thought twice about not allowing my daughters to go with a group of classmates to the cliffs above Pirates Cove on a cold February morning in the middle of the week to take photos. If I did have a problem with some areas around here, I’d either let the teacher know or tell my daughter’s that they needed to check with me where they were going first.


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Pirates Cove is a beautiful but creepy place. Too bad all the perverted gay boys and nudies have to exclude me and my family from enjoying it. If a teacher who is charged with the responsibility of educating our children decides to expose them to place like that, then he deserves a few weeks off. What an Einstein.


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Homophobia is creepy, I feel bad for your children.


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“I’m only aware of one arrest that has taken place there in the last 30 years. ” Well guess what keithb, If CalCoastNews wasn’t around you wouldn’t be aware of this arrest either. No one else reported it.


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Not sure what that means. Are you saying that if CCN hadn’t covered the sting story, this whole thing would be a non-issue as that story is what has made some parents not want their kids to go to that area? But I agree with you, I don’t recall any other story that talks about some of the things people are saying happen there.


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Imbeciles. CCN is definitely the most conservative news here in SLO county. That makes it economically OK, and socially unacceptable and bias.


The brush with a masturbating homosexual has nothing to do with this.


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I checked the original article about the arrest and it happened back in 2007. That would have been nice to note in this article along with stating that the “masturbating homosexual” was a priest for those that can’t remember the details of that arrest or weren’t around the area when it happened. Has there been any additional arrests for this type of activity in 2008, 2009, or 2010? Why hasn’t there been a follow-up story from the media if this activity still exists?


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Hi, this is another students from Arroyo Grande High school who is also angered at seeing her teacher’s good name begin soiled. It’s understandable that this parent is concerned for her daughter’s Safety . My parents are the same way. However, this was blown out of proportion. I have been a students of his for two years now and not once have a seen him as some pedophiliac, homosexual creeper you have made him out to be. Here’s another thing to THINK ABOUT CAREFULLY we’ve all been in the class for a year now or more and if he was a creeper don’t you think we would have already dropped the class or why SO many students are defending him?


I laughed when some accused some of the students of not being in the class. If you don’t believe us. come talk to us well set you straight and give you the god-honest-truth not this ludicrous lie. WASN’T THIS ALSO the same news website that causes so much drama for ARROYO GRANDE HIGHSCHOOL? really…why is that when our school dose something cool to improve the lives of it’s students that it goes ignored or shown for a day then ignored. But when something so small and pointless happens everything is blown out of the water?


Before you go off spouting that we are underage, hate to break it to you, but the majority of the class can vote. Some will also say that we are high School kid and that we don’t know about the real world. Some of us are holding 3.5 and higher GPAs, Jobs, sports positions, theater positions, leadership positions, college classes, relationships and are MATURELY HANDLING THIS POINTLESS DRAMA. Unlike some of the adults here behaving more like young children.


Ms.VELIE you do realize your destroying innocent people’s live right?


I’m with the other students, i will fight for my teacher until he is backing teaching. until then I WILL SPEAK WITH THE WHOLE TRUTH


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Oh my word, I sure hope this student isn’t about to graduate! No more photo lab electives for you, off to English Composition, grammar and spelling classes.


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Ma’am that was really uncalled for. shouldn’t you more concerned with YOUR CHILD than with me?


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Actually, Cindy, I agree with you. I would give this student an “F” for both analysis and spelling. If this is the best AGHS can offer, perhaps we need further investigation.


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You know what yes, I do have a problem with spelling and grammar , I had written this in a fit of rage and i am trying to be mature about this as much as possible. If you think i am uneducated go ahead and think what you want.


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Mature people tend to pause before writing. They do not write in a fit of rage. Immature adults and children tend to lack that judgement and they do write in a fit of rage.


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Easy to insult when you don’t have to be held accountable. Well played, mature adults, how mature of you.


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This_is_full, this is not about your grammar or spelling, I appreciated your comment. I’m especially disappointed in Dave for judging you and the school by your post. I also type fast because I have life and I also make a lot of typos. One of my children has also had Mr. Fraser as a teacher for last few years and he is upset that this is happening to him. But as I told my child, even if the parents signed permission slips I still believe it would be wrong to take kids there as a school activity. But I’ve also told him that there is two sides to this and so far we’ve only heard one.


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An F analysis, really?. I thought the analysis was on point, a few spelling errors- big deel. Are you happy now Dave the skool district had no alternative but to suspend the teacher because of, what I’m guessing, is public perception due to this article which is long on inuendo and short on all the facts?.


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Who are you to go through and analyze the grammar which is used within their rebuttal towards all the blasphemy which is being presented? The point is they are trying to defend something that they themselves believe in while the best that you are able to give in defense towards your own point is that they aren’t using proper grammar and spelling. In a fit of rage I could see how one would neglect to proof read their comment due to the fact that their main point is to present their point of view as fast as possible. Why don’t you go collect your thoughts and find something to one up your elementary insult.


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February: We’ve move on to March, so I guess you’re history.


Meanwhile, the teacher has allegedly been suspended by the high school. That tells me the administration shares the concern of the parents and Ms. Velie. End of story.


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Well don’t you just feel extremely clever on that joke, you just can’t wait to tell that one at the office tomorrow, right? Oh and I’m extremely sorry that once again you were UNABLE to see the point of my comment. My comment was on the fact that she was more worried about the grammar and spelling opposed to the point which This_is_full_of _lies was making. Of course their language teacher would disapprove of it, but they aren’t being graded on their work here. Relevant to the English/Language class, I’m glad to see that your critical reading is extremely well, I’m sure that your teacher would approve.


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I find it interesting that some students don’t feel that the information regarding the fact that an undercover police officer who was dispatched to pirates cove because of blatant homosexual sexual misconduct got fondled is nothing but sensationalism. If that happened to a cop I doubt it was appropriate to bring a bunch of high school kids down there.

No one is calling for Mr. Fraser’s job, just better judgment calls. I haven’t seen where anyone including the reporter implied that this teacher was a pervert. What’s implied is that he is guilty of poor judgment. As for you kids who think the reporter was trying to make the teacher look bad because he accompanied 4 girls, think again, the fact there were 4 girls give the exact opposite impression. Ask any adult.


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Mr. Fraser is currently on a two week suspension. It is reasonable for students to worry that he may lose his job over it, considering that some parents are overreacting as they are, and yes, some are suggesting that he should lose his job.


Have you read any of the comments? A lot of those people have insulted the good name of Mr. Frasr. Some adults are saying that it was wrong to go to Pirates Cove with only the girls, as the article suggests (although that is misinformation).


And who said the cop was ever touched? “A brush with someone” is a cliche for encountering someone. It’s not necessarily literal. It seems like a full grown man would be able to stop someone from touching their ‘privates’.


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carspolus, The Deputy arrested the homosexual priest for public masturbation and touching the deputies genitals. No doubt the deputy did put a stop to the fondling episode forth width but it still occurred. Even if it hadn’t occurred the public masturbation was enough cause for alarm. You should remember that the Deputy was there undercover in the first place because that sort of behavior had become prevalent.

If your teacher is on two weeks suspension, I suspect that will be the extent of his discipline. I agree with others that no one is calling for his job, just better judgment calls.


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Have you talked with Mr. Frasier? How do you know his views and how do you know he got a 2 week suspension…if he hasn’t been at school how do you know these things? And if you’re worried about his job, that didn’t come from any parent…it sounds like you kids are concerned because you all suggested that you all go to Pirates Cove…it’s not your guilt you should feel, he IS the adult and the teacher and he made a bad judgement call to go there….people in all walks of life make choices and sometimes you can’t take it back…nobody said he was a pervert or such, simply put, he shouldn’t have agreed with taking you all there…Also, question….does he normally go with his students to a photo shoot…because my child said he normally doesn’t…so again, why would he agree to take 2 kids in his car and why would he agree that this “spot” was ok…The school agrees that it was wrong, so the blame shouldn’t be on the students that suggested the spot…he knew better….let’s all learn from this…


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Agmom, I know Mr. Fraser’s views because he told the class on the last day he was present as our teacher when he explained the situation to us. We were all informed of his two week suspension by the substitute teacher. I’m worried about his job because some people have suggested that he does not deserve to come back. We are concerned because we love him, not because we feel guilty. I don’t feel guilty at all. Pirate’s Cove was not my idea. People did imply that Mr. Fraser is a pervert, read some comments below. Yes, he always accompanies us on group photo shoots. Your child is talking about individual projects. He agreed to take two kids in his car because there was no room for them in any other cars. Surely you do not expect him to leave two students at school while every other member of the class is gone…or do you think he should have called a taxi? I would have funded it personally had I known that paranoid matriarch would question the motives of his kindness. He agreed that this spot was okay because it’s a beautiful area for scenery and the purpose of the journey was to photograph nature. Anymore questions, Agmom?


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there are two separate classes. thus, two stories.

i think the informing should be done by the people who were there, not ignorant readers of this article.


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big deal get over it, and the idiot mom who tripped out calm down your kids are old they can deal with it. fraser is agood man. small city= everything is a big deal. god


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Thanks for the heads up Karen. This certainly is an eye opener. Regardless of who was or wasn’t down on the beach, this is no way to run a school field trip. I don’t doubt that Mr. F is a cool teacher and he seems liked by many of his students. I suspect he id guilty of nothing more than poor judgement and lack of supervisory skills. Hopefully the school board will put some policies in place, these kids seem to have been running all over the place and many didn’t even go over to Pirates Cove, so exactly where did they go? I noticed lots of red blurry eyes in their pic’s from the website!! Hummmm..


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As Ryan Pinkerton quoted in article above, “Just going there is inappropriate”…thank you Mr. Principal…I hope this changes the monitoring of field trips more closely! Good for the kids that came forward to even bring this to light…thank you Karen for disclosing this to all parents out there, we need more people out there to step up and let everyone know that this behavior/judgement of a teacher is just appalling!


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agmom, do you know what set of circumstances were relayed to Mr. Pinkerton about the “incident” that prompeted his response?. No you don’t and neither do I and given Ms. Velie’s absence from any follow-up we may never know.


The principal erred in making any comment without all the facts. Also it seems that you are looking for your “pound of flesh” over this field trip. I’m wondering when you’ll be satisfied.


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I noticed lots of red blurry eyes in their pic’s from the website!

yes flash some times can do this to photos, unless you want to think they were using drugs, what a *wonderful* thing to lay on young people you don’t even know, shame on you..


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I agree. That accusation has no evidence nor reason and was just a jab to attempt creating more drama. Major loss of respect for you, Nancy. Not that you care, however. You probably think I’m on acid right now.


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Why does clicking on your name lead to a picture of two cats? hahahahhahahahhahaa


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That is a picture of two cats, impersonating the fugitive President of the Universe (Zaphod Beeblebrox) if you know of an image online that you wish to use, put the URL in the website box on your profile page and your name will appear as a link.

PS: I really like your comments here I wish more folks were as honest and forthright in the face of adversity, hope you stick around and contribute more. “Zaphod is just this guy, you know?“


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Ohh, right on, that’s the guy from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Hah nice.


And thank you. I really appreciate that and I agree. I’ll stick around and contribute until Mr. Fraser’s name is cleared. He’s a good guy and doesn’t deserve this. There are bad people out there who really deserve some publicity and criticism…it’s sad that Fraser is getting all of that instead.


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I am a female student of the photography course at Arroyo Grande School. In hindsight, this photography shoot was only a mistake in failing to consider that ignorant journalists and misinformed parents might distort the facts of what truly took place that day. Mr. Fraser is an instructor that enjoys group shoots with the students because he thinks it is interesting to look at our pictures and see the differences between what catches one student’s eye and what interests another. This trip to Pirate’s Cove was for creative purposes only; Mr. Fraser had no perverted, pedophiliac motives, and it is truly tragic that the mass paranoia brought on by the media has affected such an inspiring, pure teacher. Before this incident, during, and after, I will hold the same view of this photography teacher: He is a respectful, respectable, inspiring, pure-hearted teacher. He shows us images of the week, where we see pictures of devastation in other countries, and the way he talks about it, you can tell that he truly cares. When there was a fundraiser at school for Haiti, he urged us to give money. He never makes vulgar jokes, he does not show photographs of nude people. Never have I felt uncomfortable in his presence, and I’m sure no one else has either. My point is that Mr. Fraser is a truly good man. He displayed no mannerisms indicating that he was some kind of pervert. The adults insulting this man they do not know may disregard this because it comes from a High Schooler, but, honestly, students can tell when a teacher is perverted. We spend almost an hour a day with our teachers, we get to know them. They tell us about their past, about their family. You can learn from their sense of humor and which topics they cover most what kind of person your teacher is. We spend almost two hours a day with Mr. Fraser. We know him, we love him. We know for sure that he is not a sick man.


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From the perspective of overcautious adults, taking students to a beach with a section reserved for nude enthusiasts may seem like a bad idea. Said in this way, however, is highly vague and misrepresentative of what truly took place. We were there to photograph nature, and nature only. We went there because Pirate’s Cove is one of the most stunning places on the Central Coast. We climbed rocks, took pictures of water and bushes, not genitals. There was no danger in this photography adventure. The girl who was uncomfortable in this situation should have said so in class. This was not a mandatory group shoot, it was not decided without consent from all students. Mr. Fraser asked if anyone had any ideas about where to go for a group shoot. Suggestions were made, Pirate’s Cove was decided on, and Mr. Fraser asked if that was okay with everyone. She should have spoken up. This teacher should not lose his job because one girl was too shy to say that she was uncomfortable. The story about the police officer suffering emotional distress is completely out of place here. I understand why she included it though. She’s trying to fan the flames of parental upset. I urge readers to disregard that piece of the article, especially, because it’s just a journalistic tactic to increase disgust and stir opposition against the teacher. Frankly, I’m disgusted at this reporter’s demolition of Mr. Fraser’s reputation. Saying that he drove two girls in his car and only took four girls to this beach is not only false, but an amateur attempt to create drama. A class from first and second period went and a class from third and fourth went. This is probably around 40 kids in all, male and female. Mr. Fraser should absolutely not lose his job. Not only will this be injustice over exaggerating the seriousness of this issue, but it will be injustice in depriving photography students in the future from getting excellent education. You cannot accurately judge a man by one thing that he did. Some of the things I’ve read about Mr. Fraser on this comment board are heinous, things that would never be said about him by people who actually know him.


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Talk to Mr. Fraser about this and he will be the first to admit that it was ill judgment to have let us go there for a class shoot. Perhaps in his excitement, his optimism, his pure-heartedness, over capturing the beauty of nature with his students, he did not consider every possible repercussion. Fine. It was a folly in judgment. He knows he was wrong. Ban him from taking kids to Pirate’s Cove then, just don’t make him lose his job.


Oh, and does anyone else question the motives of the mother of this uncomfortable daughter who went to Pirate’s Cove? Why did she go straight to the press instead of talking to Mr. Fraser or Mr. Pinkerton? That seems shady to me. Just sayin’.


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Why do you point out THE GIRL? WHO said it was A girl? Seems like you are pointing someone out???? THIS IS WAY WAY off the mark…quit pointing fingers and take a look at the real issue…Pirates Cove….underaged kids…Ryan Pinkerton said “Just going there is inappropriate”..MOST parents of underaged kids DON’T approve of this “outing” PERIOD!!!


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This entire article is about pointing fingers. Why is a journalist who is distorting the truth the only one allowed to do so? Where are your statistics that show that “most parents of underage kids do not approve of this outing”? That’s your opinion. That’s from your perspective only. You have absolutely no evidence to back that up. I mentioned the girl because she should have spoken up. There’s nothing wrong me referring to her.


P.S. Your capitalizing words to add emphasis makes me imagine a screaming, middle-aged soccer mom, and it makes me smile a little bit. I’m not saying this to insult you, I’m just letting you know it’s not an efficient tactic to persuade me or prove your point.


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Somehow I don’t believe that carsopolus is a high school student. If she is, hats off to the AG school system. I’m impressed with her writing skills, use of the English language, deductive reasoning and primarily with her analytical skills. Again I question her true age, education and experience.


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Have some faith, Cindy. Have some faith. The posts from carsopolus are too well informed for the person not to be involved in the situation.


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I didn’t say she wasn’t involved, she’s obviously very involved. I just question her true age and education.


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I am indeed a senior at Arroyo Grande High School. I turned 18 on the 27th of February. I don’t know what you mean by questioning my experience though. I’m flattered that you are impressed by my writing skills, use of the English language, deductive reasoning, and my analytical skills, but it’s a disappointment that you seem surprised by it. No need to let your cynicism and past encounters lead you to underestimate the youth.


Hats of to the AG school system for all I’ve learned about photography, yes, but I learned how to write at Coastal Christian School.


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*off


For those who are failing to return reasonable defenses and are resorting to insulting grammar and spelling mistakes.


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Wow. Relax, deep breaths. Sensationalized journalism plus ignorance= a reaction like your’s agmom. Everything carsopolus said is objective, legitimate, well thought out and intelligent. By far the most logical comments on the board. No one is coming back at carsopolus with comments like “AGHS needs to teach their students better” or “go back to English Composition” because if they challenge this person they will get ripped apart. Well done carsopolus.


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This story at no time has inferred that this teacher harbored any immoral motives and has only implied that the location destination was inappropriate for the students. It is in fact, in my opinion the students that have gone “off the wall” with their interpretations of what the accusations really are!

The students have done more harm to this teacher by creating stories that were clearly untruths, which is something the adults picked up on rather quickly. If nothing was wrong, then why make up two different stories back to back on the radio, not for the less! I think I’ve heard 4 different stories so far, all from students.


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Aww thanks, Hmmm….


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Well the article does say a parent who wished to remain anonymous due to her daughter’s discomfort. Did you read the article?.


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We all know that high school girl’s know when their teacher is a pervert. No one is calling your teacher a pervert.


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Read some comments below, PaulJones. There are plenty of people hinting at Mr. Fraser being a possible pedophile.


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