Letters to the Editor 02-22-2000
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Pierceton Bee - Gas Prices - Pathetic Potpourri - Regarding Judgement - Cornea Donation - Generation Gap Bridged - Charity Break-In - Responds To Critic - School Policies - Missing The Point
Pierceton Bee
Editor, Times-Union:We at Pierceton Elementary School are very proud of our spelling bee representative, Stephanie Campbell. Her principal, Mrs. Jones, and SpellBowl teachers, Mrs. Ball and myself, were all in attendance to support our spelling bee champion. We were so pleased to see the South Whitley Elementary principal, as well as a 5th grade teacher also in attendance. Both Whitko students were fine representatives of our school corporation.
Even though our students were not the final winners, it was great to look out and notice all the parental support to such an academic event. The participants will cherish this memory for years to come. Congratulations to all the students involved!
Tina Wuthrich
5th grade teacher
Pierceton Elementary School
Gas Prices
Editor, Times-Union:This is in response to "News Views" in Sat. Feb. 19th's Times-Union. You mentioned the gas crisis of the '70s. I do remember the so-called shortage then. I remember how the then governor of Indiana asked that Hoosiers car pool and conserve gas. Hoosiers did just that and in response the governor then told us that because consumption had decreased dramatically, tax revenues from the sale of gas had dropped off. So to keep that revenue coming in he raised the state tax on a gallon of gas. This in turn raised gas prices even more. So I disagree with your concluding paragraph, "One thing is certain: if we use less gas, the price would come down." The government just might raise the gas tax again. Only two things are certain - Death and Taxes.
Ben Shafer
via e-mail
Pathetic Potpourri
Editor, Times-Union:I sincerely hope that the Times-Union staff consider terminating the Potpourri column of their publication. I'm using the term publication instead of newspaper because "Potpourri" seems more like a column taken from a trashy tabloid.
It seems ironic that your paper's policy is to print only editorials that are signed by the contributor, however, your paper can publish biased and slanderous stories about community leaders, business professionals and dedicated educators without divulging the reporter's name. I always emphasize to my children to sign their papers; it tells me that they are proud of their work. Perhaps the reason your reporters don't divulge their identities is that they don't feel this pride.
I ask you to reflect on, "What good does this column do for our community?" If the column's sole purpose is to sell newspapers, why don't surrounding newspapers from Elkhart, Fort Wayne, South Bend, etc. use these same spineless tabloid tactics?
Mr. Gary Gerard's note that followed "Cavalier Treatment" in the Feb. 17th editorial section, stated that the contributor seems to have missed the point of the Potpourri article titled, "Lip Service." Gary, you seem to miss the point. When there is a school activity that involves a large number of children and adults, whether it be academics, fine arts, or athletics, the community expects a safe environment. Principal (Chris Gensinger) and teachers were at Lakeview to provide crowd control. You also made the point educators "chose" not to attend an academic function. The choice was simple. Our services were needed where there was a larger student population. If a handful of students were at Lakeview and 250 students were at the administration building, our services would have been needed at the administration building.
Mrs. Jan Knoop attempted to inform you that Eisenhower did have adult representatives at the county spelling bee. Mrs. Gail Laurent and Mr. John Kneller were in attendance to support one very talented student (Bryce Durgin). An unbiased reporter would have observed this and obtained their names, but then again that would be honest reporting and would look out of place in the Times-Union Potpourri column.
Mr. Gerard, if you can call slanderous and biased articles created by "mystery reporters" journalism ... well then who is really providing "Lip Service?"
Scott P. Johnston Sr.
"Teacher of Children
and Educator of Editors"
Claypool
Regarding Judgement
Editor, Times-Union:This is in response to a letter in Friday's paper regarding judgment, specifically dealing with homosexuality. You talked about Christians not being allowed to judge one another. The verse which is often quoted is Matthew 7:1 NIV, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." If you read the context to the passage as opposed to the single verse you will see that it is saying you shouldn't judge someone for a sin that you are also involved with. Don't worry about the sawdust in your neighbor's eye when there is a plank in your own. If you're committing adultery you shouldn't judge someone else for doing it. Although, no one is without sin. So judging someone for adultery when you lie or steal is still not right. We are all sinners. God is the only Judge.
As far as the morality of being gay, the Bible clearly states that it is wrong. Leviticus 18:22 "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." Romans 1:27a "In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another." They abandoned natural relations. It is natural and right that a man is with a woman and a woman with a man. This does not mean that gay people are bad. The sin is what is wrong. A man being with a man is no different than an unmarried man and woman being together.
Our society has trashed the morality that most of us do, or once had held dear. The Bible was never meant to change with the times. It was a rule to follow for the duration of our time on earth. Many "Christians" and even churches have removed the parts they don't want to hear. They've decided that the real interpretation isn't actually relevant today because the times are different. Times are different because people have trashed God and morality. What have we come to? We praise sex between two unmarried people, gay or straight. We let our children have sex and when they get pregnant just offer an abortion. Life is life whether it's microscopic or 7 feet tall. You take the chance and responsibility when you make the choice to have sex outside the sacred bond of marriage. The Bible and God are still the ultimate authority. Just because more people are doing the wrong thing doesn't make it OK.
William Baker
Warsaw
Cornea Donation
Editor, Times-Union:Shortly after Lindsey Fernan's birth, doctors noticed something wrong with her eyes. She was diagnosed with Peter's Anomaly, a congenital eye disease in which the corneas are defective. The cornea has been called the front window of the eye. If it becomes scarred, light cannot pass through and blindness results.
Lindsey's parents were told that the only chance she had for eyesight was to have a corneal transplant. At four months of age, she had her first cornea transplant in her left eye with donor tissue supplied by the Eye Bank for Sight Restoration. Six weeks later her ophthalmologist performed a second transplant in her right eye. Because she was only four months of age, the cornea transplants healed quickly and the stitches were removed after six weeks.
Lindsey's sight was restored because somebody donated their eyes when they no longer had need for them. The donor tissue provided corneas for Lindsey's defective ones.
It is true that one can give sight to another. However, notifying your family of your desire to donate is a necessity. Physicians are reluctant to remove eyes or other organs without permission of next of kin.
Berniece H. Dwyer
Milford
Generation Gap Bridged
Editor, Times-Union:Last Sunday evening when we went to church, the parking lot was clear of snow. After the service, when we looked out, all the cars were covered with snow. After talking with some people, we went to our cars to find that the windshield and windows had been cleared of snow. We saw several young people clearing off snow several rows behind us. What a great group of young people they are! In November, they gave a delicious dinner and a nice program for 80 senior adults, with the help of several parents. We thank the Lord for the Youth Group of the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church and for what they are doing to bridge the generation gap.
Roy Snyder
Winona Lake
Charity Break-In
Editor, Times-Union:To the person or persons who broke into Our Father's House and stole the cash donation box: We do not like to waste anything so if you would drop by we will give you the keys to the donation box.
Thank you. If you need help let us know.
Roz Morgan
Our Father's House
Warsaw
Responds To Critic
Editor, Times-Union:I don't normally respond to people who write in criticizing my letters on the evils of homosexuality or abortion, but I feel the need this time. One lady wrote in saying the Bible says do not judge. That is one of the most used misrepresentations of the Lord's teachings.
The Bible says that we are not to judge as hypocrites. The Bible is filled with verses and parables on how we are supposed to judge. It's as easy as picking up the Bible and reading it. That is just another example of how some people pick one or two verses from the Bible to live by and ignore the rest. Don't take my word for it, read it for yourself.
God doesn't tell us to preach His word to only the believers. He tells us to go to the den of iniquity and spread His word. If it's true what you say, that we are not to judge, how are we to determine who that is? We are all sinners, but we must not forget it is our responsibility from our Lord to spread His word.
Most people don't want to hear what abortion procedures are, it's too graphic for them. I would think that someone who had one would think about it every time they see a child, or lay their head to rest every night and have nothing but quiet time to think about how they were responsible for tearing a baby limb for limb and throwing it in a garbage can with so many other little boys and girls. That would have to be a feeling that would and should haunt you the rest of your life.
One lady said I shouldn't say anything unless I'm perfect. Well, I'm far from perfect, I will answer to God on Judgment Day just like her. We all sin, but abortions and homosexuality are a way of life, that have a trickle down effect for generations.
There are Christians who believe that being homosexual is OK and that abortion is a woman's choice. I would like them to write in and give me one verse out of the Bible that supports your opinion. One verse out of the thousands. They can't and they know that. I could fill this newspaper with verses supporting many conservative beliefs on these subjects. But sometimes I wonder where their voices are, when they see one of their own being scorned and ridiculed for spreading God's word. Do we sit on the side or do we stand for what so many Christians did before us? Lay down our life in his name. Some Christians were given a choice, deny him and live, or glorify him and die immediately! What would you do?
Matthew Trier
Warsaw
School Policies
Editor, Times-Union:I want everyone out there to know what our children go through in the course of a day in our schools. I have a child in the Warsaw High School and another in the middle school and I can not believe what has happened to the schools in this town!
In our school system, you have teachers that are swearing at our children while telling them not to. You have teachers making comments to our children about their bodies, teachers calling our children idiots and dumb, and principals that will cover for everything that these teachers do. I always believed that the teachers were the ones that were to set the example for the school rules, I never realized that they were exempt from them. And don't bother reporting this behavior to the school officials because your child will be called a troublemaker and any witnesses they have will all be called liars.
And what about the times that children do really do wrong? Well it seems it's who you are or what sport you play that determines the punishments in these schools. And about the PDA (public display of affection) rule, I myself think this is a good rule, but also one only enforced for "some" because my child was reprimanded for hugging her best friend (both are girls) and I know a girl who was suspended for hugging her brother. Yet if a school official decides to hug this child, this is OK.
My daughter has a teacher who says very inappropriate things to not only her, but other students as well and when confronted about this, says only that it is a lie, regardless of how many other children heard them. This is not right, you have wasted no time calling the parents every time a child does wrong, but who are these teachers and school officials answering to?
Don't get me wrong. I believe that we have some great teachers in there too, and it is the good teachers who must also suffer along with our children. For it is the teachers and school officials that let this go on every day, that make our children have bad attitudes about their school. You keep saying have pride in your school but how can you ask them to be proud when they are being treated like this? Don't tell me this is not happening, because I can bring you a list of children in these schools who will tell you it is. So stop defending this behavior and start doing something to change it! You are there to teach our children and encourage them, not to put them down.
I do my job as a parent. I teach my children that swearing is wrong - wrong for me, wrong for them and also wrong for their teachers! I teach my children that calling people dumb is bad, yet they are called dumb by their teachers. And where I come from, making comments on someone else's body is called harassment. Ask your children about their teachers, find out what's going on. Don't take for granted that you already know. I think you may be surprised!
Jewel Craft
Warsaw
Missing The Point
Editor, Times-Union:I just read the letter from Jan Knoop written in response to Saturday, February 12th's Potpourri column concerning Chris Gensinger. What a letter. Thank you Mrs. Knoop for taking the time to write and explain a situation that really needs no explanation. I am an Eisenhower parent and school volunteer who was also upset about the comments. In fact, my distaste for the column stuck with me throughout the weekend. I too would have written previously, but I was unaware of the actual facts surrounding the situation.Ê
ÊUnfortunately, Mr. Gerard was the one who missed the point.Ê It's obvious he overlooked a few facts contained in your letter before writing his response:
1.ÊThat Mr. Gensinger had a previous commitment to be responsible for the semi-final round of the elementary basketball tourney at the same exact time as the Bee;
2. That Mr. Gensinger did ask Bryce Durgin's teacher to attend the Bee on his behalf and to represent the staff of Eisenhower Elementary;
3. That our school administrators, teachers and staff are not paid to attendÊand work at extracurricular activities whether it be academic or athletic but that most do it out of a true desire to help our children make the most of their educational experience;
4.ÊThat one or two written lines about Eisenhower being named a four star school contained within a story about the academic success or lack thereof in our county schools is not comparable to the disparaging remarks made in Potpourri.
Mrs. Knoop did not write about comments concerning children obtaining a bad education or that our schools are bad. What lines did Mr. Gerard read between to reach such an absurd conclusion?Ê Or was this just another attempt to deride the best school in our system rather than report positively about the accomplishments of the students and staff at Eisenhower.Ê
I feel privileged that my children have the benefit of attending a school that is run by such a devoted and committed principal. My own experience with Mr. Gensinger and his staff lends me to believe that he did not choose an athletic event over an academic event for the reasons that are implied. Mr. Gensinger is committed to seeing that each of his students is afforded every opportunity to achieve and succeed. Perhaps you should visit the school to see how things really are at Eisenhower including the respect the staff, students and parents have for him.Ê
The comments that were irresponsibly, and perhaps flippantly, made in Potpourri have disturbed many children who have the highest regard for their school, its staff and their own personal accomplishments.
What a shame for Bryce Durgin and his family that such a wonderful achievement on his part became the basis for Saturday morning jokes in the Times-Union at the expense of his school, its staff and most particularly his leader.ÊÊÊ
Congratulations Bryce on your accomplishment!
Tracey Rose
via e-mail
Note: Let me make one final pass at this. The point of Potpourri was that it seems, sometimes, we tend to place a greater emphasis on athletics than academics in this community. Local school officials bemoan this phenomenon all the time. How ironic, then, that local school officials (not just those from Eisenhower, by the way) largely ignored the three nights of the spelling bee for whatever reason. That was the point. Nothing more, nothing less. The principal the letter writer mentions sent his representative to the final round of the spelling bee because he was working at a basketball tourney - in itself a sign of his dedication to his students and his school. It has been noted that several teachers and administrators volunteered their time for crowd control at the ball game. But why was there no need for crowd control at the spelling bee? There are places in this country where basketball doesn't outdraw the spelling bee. That's the point. It's all about making choices. Coverage of the spelling bee appeared on the front page of this newspaper for three consecutive days. The basketball tourney didn't. But I am confident there are lots of people in this town who think it should have been the other way around.
Gary Gerard, Managing Editor
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- Pierceton Bee - Gas Prices - Pathetic Potpourri - Regarding Judgement - Cornea Donation - Generation Gap Bridged - Charity Break-In - Responds To Critic - School Policies - Missing The Point
Pierceton Bee
Editor, Times-Union:We at Pierceton Elementary School are very proud of our spelling bee representative, Stephanie Campbell. Her principal, Mrs. Jones, and SpellBowl teachers, Mrs. Ball and myself, were all in attendance to support our spelling bee champion. We were so pleased to see the South Whitley Elementary principal, as well as a 5th grade teacher also in attendance. Both Whitko students were fine representatives of our school corporation.
Even though our students were not the final winners, it was great to look out and notice all the parental support to such an academic event. The participants will cherish this memory for years to come. Congratulations to all the students involved!
Tina Wuthrich
5th grade teacher
Pierceton Elementary School
Gas Prices
Editor, Times-Union:This is in response to "News Views" in Sat. Feb. 19th's Times-Union. You mentioned the gas crisis of the '70s. I do remember the so-called shortage then. I remember how the then governor of Indiana asked that Hoosiers car pool and conserve gas. Hoosiers did just that and in response the governor then told us that because consumption had decreased dramatically, tax revenues from the sale of gas had dropped off. So to keep that revenue coming in he raised the state tax on a gallon of gas. This in turn raised gas prices even more. So I disagree with your concluding paragraph, "One thing is certain: if we use less gas, the price would come down." The government just might raise the gas tax again. Only two things are certain - Death and Taxes.
Ben Shafer
via e-mail
Pathetic Potpourri
Editor, Times-Union:I sincerely hope that the Times-Union staff consider terminating the Potpourri column of their publication. I'm using the term publication instead of newspaper because "Potpourri" seems more like a column taken from a trashy tabloid.
It seems ironic that your paper's policy is to print only editorials that are signed by the contributor, however, your paper can publish biased and slanderous stories about community leaders, business professionals and dedicated educators without divulging the reporter's name. I always emphasize to my children to sign their papers; it tells me that they are proud of their work. Perhaps the reason your reporters don't divulge their identities is that they don't feel this pride.
I ask you to reflect on, "What good does this column do for our community?" If the column's sole purpose is to sell newspapers, why don't surrounding newspapers from Elkhart, Fort Wayne, South Bend, etc. use these same spineless tabloid tactics?
Mr. Gary Gerard's note that followed "Cavalier Treatment" in the Feb. 17th editorial section, stated that the contributor seems to have missed the point of the Potpourri article titled, "Lip Service." Gary, you seem to miss the point. When there is a school activity that involves a large number of children and adults, whether it be academics, fine arts, or athletics, the community expects a safe environment. Principal (Chris Gensinger) and teachers were at Lakeview to provide crowd control. You also made the point educators "chose" not to attend an academic function. The choice was simple. Our services were needed where there was a larger student population. If a handful of students were at Lakeview and 250 students were at the administration building, our services would have been needed at the administration building.
Mrs. Jan Knoop attempted to inform you that Eisenhower did have adult representatives at the county spelling bee. Mrs. Gail Laurent and Mr. John Kneller were in attendance to support one very talented student (Bryce Durgin). An unbiased reporter would have observed this and obtained their names, but then again that would be honest reporting and would look out of place in the Times-Union Potpourri column.
Mr. Gerard, if you can call slanderous and biased articles created by "mystery reporters" journalism ... well then who is really providing "Lip Service?"
Scott P. Johnston Sr.
"Teacher of Children
and Educator of Editors"
Claypool
Regarding Judgement
Editor, Times-Union:This is in response to a letter in Friday's paper regarding judgment, specifically dealing with homosexuality. You talked about Christians not being allowed to judge one another. The verse which is often quoted is Matthew 7:1 NIV, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." If you read the context to the passage as opposed to the single verse you will see that it is saying you shouldn't judge someone for a sin that you are also involved with. Don't worry about the sawdust in your neighbor's eye when there is a plank in your own. If you're committing adultery you shouldn't judge someone else for doing it. Although, no one is without sin. So judging someone for adultery when you lie or steal is still not right. We are all sinners. God is the only Judge.
As far as the morality of being gay, the Bible clearly states that it is wrong. Leviticus 18:22 "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." Romans 1:27a "In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another." They abandoned natural relations. It is natural and right that a man is with a woman and a woman with a man. This does not mean that gay people are bad. The sin is what is wrong. A man being with a man is no different than an unmarried man and woman being together.
Our society has trashed the morality that most of us do, or once had held dear. The Bible was never meant to change with the times. It was a rule to follow for the duration of our time on earth. Many "Christians" and even churches have removed the parts they don't want to hear. They've decided that the real interpretation isn't actually relevant today because the times are different. Times are different because people have trashed God and morality. What have we come to? We praise sex between two unmarried people, gay or straight. We let our children have sex and when they get pregnant just offer an abortion. Life is life whether it's microscopic or 7 feet tall. You take the chance and responsibility when you make the choice to have sex outside the sacred bond of marriage. The Bible and God are still the ultimate authority. Just because more people are doing the wrong thing doesn't make it OK.
William Baker
Warsaw
Cornea Donation
Editor, Times-Union:Shortly after Lindsey Fernan's birth, doctors noticed something wrong with her eyes. She was diagnosed with Peter's Anomaly, a congenital eye disease in which the corneas are defective. The cornea has been called the front window of the eye. If it becomes scarred, light cannot pass through and blindness results.
Lindsey's parents were told that the only chance she had for eyesight was to have a corneal transplant. At four months of age, she had her first cornea transplant in her left eye with donor tissue supplied by the Eye Bank for Sight Restoration. Six weeks later her ophthalmologist performed a second transplant in her right eye. Because she was only four months of age, the cornea transplants healed quickly and the stitches were removed after six weeks.
Lindsey's sight was restored because somebody donated their eyes when they no longer had need for them. The donor tissue provided corneas for Lindsey's defective ones.
It is true that one can give sight to another. However, notifying your family of your desire to donate is a necessity. Physicians are reluctant to remove eyes or other organs without permission of next of kin.
Berniece H. Dwyer
Milford
Generation Gap Bridged
Editor, Times-Union:Last Sunday evening when we went to church, the parking lot was clear of snow. After the service, when we looked out, all the cars were covered with snow. After talking with some people, we went to our cars to find that the windshield and windows had been cleared of snow. We saw several young people clearing off snow several rows behind us. What a great group of young people they are! In November, they gave a delicious dinner and a nice program for 80 senior adults, with the help of several parents. We thank the Lord for the Youth Group of the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church and for what they are doing to bridge the generation gap.
Roy Snyder
Winona Lake
Charity Break-In
Editor, Times-Union:To the person or persons who broke into Our Father's House and stole the cash donation box: We do not like to waste anything so if you would drop by we will give you the keys to the donation box.
Thank you. If you need help let us know.
Roz Morgan
Our Father's House
Warsaw
Responds To Critic
Editor, Times-Union:I don't normally respond to people who write in criticizing my letters on the evils of homosexuality or abortion, but I feel the need this time. One lady wrote in saying the Bible says do not judge. That is one of the most used misrepresentations of the Lord's teachings.
The Bible says that we are not to judge as hypocrites. The Bible is filled with verses and parables on how we are supposed to judge. It's as easy as picking up the Bible and reading it. That is just another example of how some people pick one or two verses from the Bible to live by and ignore the rest. Don't take my word for it, read it for yourself.
God doesn't tell us to preach His word to only the believers. He tells us to go to the den of iniquity and spread His word. If it's true what you say, that we are not to judge, how are we to determine who that is? We are all sinners, but we must not forget it is our responsibility from our Lord to spread His word.
Most people don't want to hear what abortion procedures are, it's too graphic for them. I would think that someone who had one would think about it every time they see a child, or lay their head to rest every night and have nothing but quiet time to think about how they were responsible for tearing a baby limb for limb and throwing it in a garbage can with so many other little boys and girls. That would have to be a feeling that would and should haunt you the rest of your life.
One lady said I shouldn't say anything unless I'm perfect. Well, I'm far from perfect, I will answer to God on Judgment Day just like her. We all sin, but abortions and homosexuality are a way of life, that have a trickle down effect for generations.
There are Christians who believe that being homosexual is OK and that abortion is a woman's choice. I would like them to write in and give me one verse out of the Bible that supports your opinion. One verse out of the thousands. They can't and they know that. I could fill this newspaper with verses supporting many conservative beliefs on these subjects. But sometimes I wonder where their voices are, when they see one of their own being scorned and ridiculed for spreading God's word. Do we sit on the side or do we stand for what so many Christians did before us? Lay down our life in his name. Some Christians were given a choice, deny him and live, or glorify him and die immediately! What would you do?
Matthew Trier
Warsaw
School Policies
Editor, Times-Union:I want everyone out there to know what our children go through in the course of a day in our schools. I have a child in the Warsaw High School and another in the middle school and I can not believe what has happened to the schools in this town!
In our school system, you have teachers that are swearing at our children while telling them not to. You have teachers making comments to our children about their bodies, teachers calling our children idiots and dumb, and principals that will cover for everything that these teachers do. I always believed that the teachers were the ones that were to set the example for the school rules, I never realized that they were exempt from them. And don't bother reporting this behavior to the school officials because your child will be called a troublemaker and any witnesses they have will all be called liars.
And what about the times that children do really do wrong? Well it seems it's who you are or what sport you play that determines the punishments in these schools. And about the PDA (public display of affection) rule, I myself think this is a good rule, but also one only enforced for "some" because my child was reprimanded for hugging her best friend (both are girls) and I know a girl who was suspended for hugging her brother. Yet if a school official decides to hug this child, this is OK.
My daughter has a teacher who says very inappropriate things to not only her, but other students as well and when confronted about this, says only that it is a lie, regardless of how many other children heard them. This is not right, you have wasted no time calling the parents every time a child does wrong, but who are these teachers and school officials answering to?
Don't get me wrong. I believe that we have some great teachers in there too, and it is the good teachers who must also suffer along with our children. For it is the teachers and school officials that let this go on every day, that make our children have bad attitudes about their school. You keep saying have pride in your school but how can you ask them to be proud when they are being treated like this? Don't tell me this is not happening, because I can bring you a list of children in these schools who will tell you it is. So stop defending this behavior and start doing something to change it! You are there to teach our children and encourage them, not to put them down.
I do my job as a parent. I teach my children that swearing is wrong - wrong for me, wrong for them and also wrong for their teachers! I teach my children that calling people dumb is bad, yet they are called dumb by their teachers. And where I come from, making comments on someone else's body is called harassment. Ask your children about their teachers, find out what's going on. Don't take for granted that you already know. I think you may be surprised!
Jewel Craft
Warsaw
Missing The Point
Editor, Times-Union:I just read the letter from Jan Knoop written in response to Saturday, February 12th's Potpourri column concerning Chris Gensinger. What a letter. Thank you Mrs. Knoop for taking the time to write and explain a situation that really needs no explanation. I am an Eisenhower parent and school volunteer who was also upset about the comments. In fact, my distaste for the column stuck with me throughout the weekend. I too would have written previously, but I was unaware of the actual facts surrounding the situation.Ê
ÊUnfortunately, Mr. Gerard was the one who missed the point.Ê It's obvious he overlooked a few facts contained in your letter before writing his response:
1.ÊThat Mr. Gensinger had a previous commitment to be responsible for the semi-final round of the elementary basketball tourney at the same exact time as the Bee;
2. That Mr. Gensinger did ask Bryce Durgin's teacher to attend the Bee on his behalf and to represent the staff of Eisenhower Elementary;
3. That our school administrators, teachers and staff are not paid to attendÊand work at extracurricular activities whether it be academic or athletic but that most do it out of a true desire to help our children make the most of their educational experience;
4.ÊThat one or two written lines about Eisenhower being named a four star school contained within a story about the academic success or lack thereof in our county schools is not comparable to the disparaging remarks made in Potpourri.
Mrs. Knoop did not write about comments concerning children obtaining a bad education or that our schools are bad. What lines did Mr. Gerard read between to reach such an absurd conclusion?Ê Or was this just another attempt to deride the best school in our system rather than report positively about the accomplishments of the students and staff at Eisenhower.Ê
I feel privileged that my children have the benefit of attending a school that is run by such a devoted and committed principal. My own experience with Mr. Gensinger and his staff lends me to believe that he did not choose an athletic event over an academic event for the reasons that are implied. Mr. Gensinger is committed to seeing that each of his students is afforded every opportunity to achieve and succeed. Perhaps you should visit the school to see how things really are at Eisenhower including the respect the staff, students and parents have for him.Ê
The comments that were irresponsibly, and perhaps flippantly, made in Potpourri have disturbed many children who have the highest regard for their school, its staff and their own personal accomplishments.
What a shame for Bryce Durgin and his family that such a wonderful achievement on his part became the basis for Saturday morning jokes in the Times-Union at the expense of his school, its staff and most particularly his leader.ÊÊÊ
Congratulations Bryce on your accomplishment!
Tracey Rose
via e-mail
Note: Let me make one final pass at this. The point of Potpourri was that it seems, sometimes, we tend to place a greater emphasis on athletics than academics in this community. Local school officials bemoan this phenomenon all the time. How ironic, then, that local school officials (not just those from Eisenhower, by the way) largely ignored the three nights of the spelling bee for whatever reason. That was the point. Nothing more, nothing less. The principal the letter writer mentions sent his representative to the final round of the spelling bee because he was working at a basketball tourney - in itself a sign of his dedication to his students and his school. It has been noted that several teachers and administrators volunteered their time for crowd control at the ball game. But why was there no need for crowd control at the spelling bee? There are places in this country where basketball doesn't outdraw the spelling bee. That's the point. It's all about making choices. Coverage of the spelling bee appeared on the front page of this newspaper for three consecutive days. The basketball tourney didn't. But I am confident there are lots of people in this town who think it should have been the other way around.
Gary Gerard, Managing Editor
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