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Letter to editor


To the Editor:

After having read the article on Saturday school, I felt the need to write. Yes we have problems with our young people not learning, which makes me question the method of teaching, as well as the ability of each student to learn.

I, as a grandparent believe we need to return to the old ways. . . We have grown and all done well in our years. We were taught to respect our elders, to help with chores, and to be good to our friends. The children of today have no respect, do not help out with chores without pay, and do not know the meaning of good friends. The children of today only are concerned with material things. If they see another student not dressed in the latest fashion that student is a "dork," or retard, or whatever the word is for the week. Or we put too much value into whether or not they play in sports. So what it boils down to is this. How about we do away with the in-school sports program, if you want your child to play you pay and it is done on Saturdays. Let's also give up the vocal and band hour. Spanish and P.E., by my calculations, would add about four hours to learning English, math, and social studies.

Then let's take the supervised study period and turn it into a study hall where they can work on any incomplete assignments they have, and would have available to them at that time, with teacher assistance.

Now, by doing this, not only would we see an improvement in what our children learn, they also would know if they wanted to play in sports, sing, or play in a band. They would need their Saturdays free.

We also would save money because we would not longer be busing these children all over Kansas to play in games. The buses would only be used for the country kids to get to and from school. We would then be able to sell off the new suburbans that were just purchased for transporting the wrestling team. Now as we all know some kids won't care if they have a Saturday school or not, but for the most part I feel you would see more learning done in school if the students weren't thinking "Oh, I get out early today for this game or that game."

I have noticed talk going on about drug testing in school, again directed toward sports. How about random drug testing for all students not just the ones involved in sports. Make all the students think about what they are doing, "Oh, I'm not playing in basketball so I can drink or do drugs and I'll be careful not to get caught during track." It is time the school and parents get tough across the board.

As for the situation involving a school board member, I do not know the amount of involvement for which he has been charged. But I feel like you should consider removing yourself from the school board and any decisions made there until you have cleared up your problems. I do not mean to say I believe you did it, nor am I saying you did not. I am saying children learn from what they see. Set an example that would help the children learn that everyone loses something if their actions are questioned. After your case is heard or dropped then go back to voting on school board issues!

Joyce Hamburger

Marion

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