Obama daughters' school hit with prank email about sex, contraception

By
Olivier Knox
May 22, 2012, 2:27 PM ET
2 min read

— -- The upscale Washington private school that counts Sasha and Malia Obama among its students was hit Tuesday with a prank email advising parents that, among other things, their children would receive "a voucher that may be redeemed for their choice of contraception" at the prom this year.

Washingtonian magazine broke the news of the fake message, which purported to be a missive sent from the Sidwell Friends School administration. It is unclear how many families at the Quaker day school received the message, which was addressed to "Parents of the Sidwell Friends School Community."

Contacted by Yahoo News, the school had no immediate comment. The person designated to handle media inquiries, Ellis Turner, was unavailable. Washingtonian said upper-school principal Lee Palmer had emailed parents to disavow the message as a fake.

Among the gems in the prank message, which Washingtonian reprinted in full:

  • "With the influence of today's media—often as morally corrosive as it is entertaining—many Sidwell students believe that it is OK to engage in mature sexual relationships at a young age, and even at school."
  • The school will ensure "availability of free condoms in all restrooms and distribution of condoms at school dances, sporting events, theatre productions, and other school-sponsored activities."
  • Regarding the prom: "As students board the chartered buses that will transport them from Sidwell Friends to the Four Seasons Hotel, they will each receive a voucher that may be redeemed for their choice of contraception at the conclusion of the Prom and After-Party event. This option will be provided free of charge."
  • "Information and condoms will be made readily available in several locations around the Upper School. We suggest that you consider adopting similar policies at home."
  • "News of so-called 'hook-ups,' a colloquial euphemism for sex, often spreads like wildfire among the student body, tarnishing the reputations of some and polishing the reputations of others."

    • The prank came as the Obama administration faced a backlash from some Catholic leaders and institutions over its rule that all employers must offer contraception in their insurance plans.

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