Letters to the Editor 03-18-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Matter Of Timing - Wants A Buffet - School Delays - Thanks For Burket Turnout - School Budget - EdCom Coverage - Vietnam Memories - Burket Issues
Matter Of Timing
Editor, Times-Union:On Friday March 14 as the Kosciusko County Police Department was cleaning the drugs out of my neighborhood, you made one bad choice. Timing. 4 p.m. Friday was the wrong time for this two-house drug raid. Our kid's school bus lets off 20-25 kids (elementary students) at this stop at 4 p.m. As the kids were walking home, they walked past all of this. Once at home, they tell us that the cops were breaking doors running into homes and arresting people in these two homes. Not all things go as planned especially when drugs are involved. We have all seen on TV drug raids that have gone bad. When they go bad, guns are usually involved. I am glad this raid was not one of them. But there is always a potential of something going wrong. In the long run, you got some drugs off the street and that's great. In the short of it all, you put many young lives in a potentially dangerous situation. I am sure that none of these lives are worth what was confiscated in the raid. So, please, as a parent, brother or sister, be more aware of all factors when you are out there risking your lives (not our children's) to clean up our communities. I do appreciate your efforts. This time it was just IMPROPER TIMING.
Justin Shoemaker
Warsaw
via e-mail
Wants A Buffet
Editor, Times-Union:We have a question, we heard that the Old Country Buffet was coming to Warsaw and it was going to be built in front of the new Wal-mart. This was exciting news because we sure need a buffet here in Warsaw! Every time we go to Goshen or Fort Wayne to Ryan's or Old Country Buffet, we always see people from this area. We need a place where you can pick out what you want, so many people are on special diets, low-carb, low-fat, etc., we want to pick out what we want. And if you order a dinner at a local restaurant, you have to pay more to substitute, if they'll let you at all! Well, here's the clincher, when we asked the manager why they're not in Warsaw yet they said you tell us, we have been trying and they won't let us in! Same goes for Golden Corral. I've heard this before and I don't think it's fair. I'm sure if you took a poll everyone would want one of these.We don't need any more fast food places - Mexican, Chinese, etc. Most buffets have an ethnic choice anyway. Please, please, we're all tired of having to drive way out of town for a buffet, Ryan's is another one. Please explain why we don't have any of these. If it's to protect the other restaurants, they need some competition! Their prices are too high at most of them anyway. Thanks and let's here from other buffet fans (by the way, I don't weigh 600 lbs, I like to pick what I want to eat, which is usually low-carbs.)
Lee Shepherd
Leesburg
via e-mail
School Delays
Editor, Times-Union:Over the course of this winter there has been a noticeable lack of weather-related school delays for the Warsaw Community Schools system, but the weather has been no less brutal than in years past. This year, particularly, there seems to be a proliferation of student accidents due to inclement conditions. The problem of sending student drivers out on dangerous roads has commonly been resolved by calling a two-hour delay; yet these have been rarely utilized this winter. Two-hour delays are at times essential in assuring students' safety, and should not be dismissed so easily by decision-makers.
We as high school students have seen and experienced the dangers of not having these delays. Wednesday, March 5, was particularly icy and dangerous. Ridiculous amounts of students were involved in accidents or had dangerous near-misses. All three of us were personally involved in such incidents, ranging from a potentially serious accident to sliding off the road. A delay could have prevented many of these risks; it would have allowed time for the roads to be cleared and given students ample time to prepare for the inclement weather. Many other days have produced similar occurrences. It is the responsibility of the Warsaw Community Schools system superintendent to discern when a delay is reasonably needed, and this year he has allowed his lack of compassion to "ice over" his judgment.
Understandably, these delays put a strain on some parents, but are we willing to sacrifice the slight inconvenience of some for the great harm of high school students? One might say riding the bus is an easy alternative to students driving, and would dismiss driving as a privilege. In reality, most students have after-school jobs and/or extracurricular activities, making this an unfeasible option. In addition, is the bus system honestly prepared to handle an influx of over 800 student drivers? Most students drive themselves, while possibly chauffeuring siblings to and from school, because it is a necessity, and the powers that be should do their utmost to protect these students.
We'd simply like to see more personal concern for students and their well being shown on the part of the administration. It would be tragic if a high school student's life were lost before student safety was properly recognized.
Adam Hodge
Winona Lake
Breanne Taylor
Warsaw
Zachary Woodward
Winona Lake
Thanks For Burket Turnout
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to take this time to thank all the people that took the time and effort to show up at the Tippy Valley School Board meeting that took place on the 10th of March. I think it showed the board just how many families are really concerned about losing the Burket Elementary School. So please come again to the April 21 board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Mentone Elementary. We again really need all the support that is needed on this night, for the board will be voting.
Thank you again.
Bobby Adams
Claypool
via e-mail
School Budget
Editor, Times-Union:Well, so far we have lost one teacher in our art department because of budget cuts in our school corporation. This particular teacher is a very bright, young, talented teacher who is dedicated to students. She just got married two years ago, bought a house and is preparing to return to grad school at night to update her teaching license. Now her hopes and dreams are dashed. There doesn't appear to be jobs out there waiting for her in Indiana. She and her husband may have to move to another state to find jobs. Cutting budget at the state level does trickle down to the local level and does impact good hard-working teachers. It affects us at a personal level. We grieve for her loss.
This also affects students on a personal level. You might say, "Hey, it's only cutting back on art classes." For students who are going into the art field, the art classes at our school are their "core" classes. Many who wish to enter an art college, a state college art program, get an art scholarship or enter an art tech school need an art portfolio by the middle of their senior high school year. Besides that, our curriculum includes reading, writing, measuring, calculations, critique, art history and projects that require higher level thinking skills. Our curriculum is rigorous and demands excellence from students ... not a bad trait to learn for our future workers whether they are in art or not.
The only resolution that I can see for this problem is to address it at the state level. Our local school administrators' hands are tied. They only receive so much money and have to work within that budget. The money comes from the state. Right now is the time for parents, students and our local citizens to speak out to our employees: Mr. Wolkins, Mr. Adams and Gov. O'Bannon. To educate the "whole child," we need a "whole program" to address those needs. It is simple: less money = cut programs and teachers. Please write our representatives now if you are concerned.
Sara Robbins
Art Teacher
Warsaw Community High School
via e-mail
EdCom Coverage
Editor, Times-Union:Thank you for the wonderful pre-coverage that you gave to the third annual EdCom Expo! The 12-page supplement in last Tuesday's Times-Union provided a thorough and personal picture of what happens at this amazing event. This past Saturday, hundreds of us once again rocked the Tiger Den in the name of learning, enthusiastically applauding the numerous technology efforts of students throughout our area and beyond.
While many, no doubt, played key roles in organizing such a mammoth undertaking, I'd especially like to thank Dick and Nancy Rooker for their vision and leadership where EdCom is concerned. The Rookers also spent countless hours troubleshooting and helping with individual student projects throughout the corporation, as well as tirelessly (and graciously) addressing the frequent and often desperate SOS calls from sponsors and frantic computer lab managers.
We are blessed to have the Rookers, as well as many other devoted, quality people like them, as a part of Warsaw Community Schools.
Donna Propp
Warsaw
via e-mail
Vietnam Memories
Editor, Times-Union:With the conflict in the Persian Gulf area and the 275,000-300,000 troops being deployed there, these times can really bring back a lot of memories from my days in Vietnam. Back in the Vietnam War era we had a lot of antiwar protest just as we do now and it was very hard if you were a serviceman to understand why people were acting like they were while you were putting your life on the line for them.
When we returned home from the Vietnam War, we were not greeted with a parade or even a "job well done," we were greeted with people spitting on us and treating us as though we were scum of the earth.
We should not let this type of thing happen to the troops that are over there now. These people are putting their lives on the line every day so that we can all enjoy living in a free society.
Even if you do not believe in what the government is now doing in the Persian Gulf, please take the time to show our men and women in uniform some support.
On Saturday March 22 there will be a Rally For America at Kruse Auction Park, Auburn at 11a.m. Please get out and show your support for the troops. It will be indoors and it is free.
Mike Berger
Warsaw
via e-mail
Burket Issues
Editor, Times-Union:We would like for the Burket community and any others concerned about keeping Burket Elementary open to know how we feel regarding this very important issue. We, as teachers, would very much like to see Burket Elementary continue being the school for the children in the Burket community. We believe that we have a terrific, small family-oriented school with dedicated staff that deserves a chance to continue being part of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation and the community.
Along with this, we also understand the need for an alternative school in our corporation. These are difficult and troubling times for many teenagers and young adults across the nation. We want them to succeed as much as we want the children in our own classrooms today to succeed. We know that it is possible to find another location besides our elementary school that will be financially sound and also be successful in meeting the goals of the program.
Lastly, we know that Mentone Elementary School is a fantastic school. Should we get the opportunity to teach there in the future, we will continue to be individually effective, caring teachers while being supportive team members who will put the needs of the children first.
To the parents of Burket students and the members of the community, we are very grateful for your faith and support over the last few months. Thank you for everything you have said and done to help keep what we have.
Jenny Shear
Jack Fisher
Pam Sellers
Layne Early
Aimee Lunsford
Renee Parker
Christina Wortly
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- Matter Of Timing - Wants A Buffet - School Delays - Thanks For Burket Turnout - School Budget - EdCom Coverage - Vietnam Memories - Burket Issues
Matter Of Timing
Editor, Times-Union:On Friday March 14 as the Kosciusko County Police Department was cleaning the drugs out of my neighborhood, you made one bad choice. Timing. 4 p.m. Friday was the wrong time for this two-house drug raid. Our kid's school bus lets off 20-25 kids (elementary students) at this stop at 4 p.m. As the kids were walking home, they walked past all of this. Once at home, they tell us that the cops were breaking doors running into homes and arresting people in these two homes. Not all things go as planned especially when drugs are involved. We have all seen on TV drug raids that have gone bad. When they go bad, guns are usually involved. I am glad this raid was not one of them. But there is always a potential of something going wrong. In the long run, you got some drugs off the street and that's great. In the short of it all, you put many young lives in a potentially dangerous situation. I am sure that none of these lives are worth what was confiscated in the raid. So, please, as a parent, brother or sister, be more aware of all factors when you are out there risking your lives (not our children's) to clean up our communities. I do appreciate your efforts. This time it was just IMPROPER TIMING.
Justin Shoemaker
Warsaw
via e-mail
Wants A Buffet
Editor, Times-Union:We have a question, we heard that the Old Country Buffet was coming to Warsaw and it was going to be built in front of the new Wal-mart. This was exciting news because we sure need a buffet here in Warsaw! Every time we go to Goshen or Fort Wayne to Ryan's or Old Country Buffet, we always see people from this area. We need a place where you can pick out what you want, so many people are on special diets, low-carb, low-fat, etc., we want to pick out what we want. And if you order a dinner at a local restaurant, you have to pay more to substitute, if they'll let you at all! Well, here's the clincher, when we asked the manager why they're not in Warsaw yet they said you tell us, we have been trying and they won't let us in! Same goes for Golden Corral. I've heard this before and I don't think it's fair. I'm sure if you took a poll everyone would want one of these.We don't need any more fast food places - Mexican, Chinese, etc. Most buffets have an ethnic choice anyway. Please, please, we're all tired of having to drive way out of town for a buffet, Ryan's is another one. Please explain why we don't have any of these. If it's to protect the other restaurants, they need some competition! Their prices are too high at most of them anyway. Thanks and let's here from other buffet fans (by the way, I don't weigh 600 lbs, I like to pick what I want to eat, which is usually low-carbs.)
Lee Shepherd
Leesburg
via e-mail
School Delays
Editor, Times-Union:Over the course of this winter there has been a noticeable lack of weather-related school delays for the Warsaw Community Schools system, but the weather has been no less brutal than in years past. This year, particularly, there seems to be a proliferation of student accidents due to inclement conditions. The problem of sending student drivers out on dangerous roads has commonly been resolved by calling a two-hour delay; yet these have been rarely utilized this winter. Two-hour delays are at times essential in assuring students' safety, and should not be dismissed so easily by decision-makers.
We as high school students have seen and experienced the dangers of not having these delays. Wednesday, March 5, was particularly icy and dangerous. Ridiculous amounts of students were involved in accidents or had dangerous near-misses. All three of us were personally involved in such incidents, ranging from a potentially serious accident to sliding off the road. A delay could have prevented many of these risks; it would have allowed time for the roads to be cleared and given students ample time to prepare for the inclement weather. Many other days have produced similar occurrences. It is the responsibility of the Warsaw Community Schools system superintendent to discern when a delay is reasonably needed, and this year he has allowed his lack of compassion to "ice over" his judgment.
Understandably, these delays put a strain on some parents, but are we willing to sacrifice the slight inconvenience of some for the great harm of high school students? One might say riding the bus is an easy alternative to students driving, and would dismiss driving as a privilege. In reality, most students have after-school jobs and/or extracurricular activities, making this an unfeasible option. In addition, is the bus system honestly prepared to handle an influx of over 800 student drivers? Most students drive themselves, while possibly chauffeuring siblings to and from school, because it is a necessity, and the powers that be should do their utmost to protect these students.
We'd simply like to see more personal concern for students and their well being shown on the part of the administration. It would be tragic if a high school student's life were lost before student safety was properly recognized.
Adam Hodge
Winona Lake
Breanne Taylor
Warsaw
Zachary Woodward
Winona Lake
Thanks For Burket Turnout
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to take this time to thank all the people that took the time and effort to show up at the Tippy Valley School Board meeting that took place on the 10th of March. I think it showed the board just how many families are really concerned about losing the Burket Elementary School. So please come again to the April 21 board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Mentone Elementary. We again really need all the support that is needed on this night, for the board will be voting.
Thank you again.
Bobby Adams
Claypool
via e-mail
School Budget
Editor, Times-Union:Well, so far we have lost one teacher in our art department because of budget cuts in our school corporation. This particular teacher is a very bright, young, talented teacher who is dedicated to students. She just got married two years ago, bought a house and is preparing to return to grad school at night to update her teaching license. Now her hopes and dreams are dashed. There doesn't appear to be jobs out there waiting for her in Indiana. She and her husband may have to move to another state to find jobs. Cutting budget at the state level does trickle down to the local level and does impact good hard-working teachers. It affects us at a personal level. We grieve for her loss.
This also affects students on a personal level. You might say, "Hey, it's only cutting back on art classes." For students who are going into the art field, the art classes at our school are their "core" classes. Many who wish to enter an art college, a state college art program, get an art scholarship or enter an art tech school need an art portfolio by the middle of their senior high school year. Besides that, our curriculum includes reading, writing, measuring, calculations, critique, art history and projects that require higher level thinking skills. Our curriculum is rigorous and demands excellence from students ... not a bad trait to learn for our future workers whether they are in art or not.
The only resolution that I can see for this problem is to address it at the state level. Our local school administrators' hands are tied. They only receive so much money and have to work within that budget. The money comes from the state. Right now is the time for parents, students and our local citizens to speak out to our employees: Mr. Wolkins, Mr. Adams and Gov. O'Bannon. To educate the "whole child," we need a "whole program" to address those needs. It is simple: less money = cut programs and teachers. Please write our representatives now if you are concerned.
Sara Robbins
Art Teacher
Warsaw Community High School
via e-mail
EdCom Coverage
Editor, Times-Union:Thank you for the wonderful pre-coverage that you gave to the third annual EdCom Expo! The 12-page supplement in last Tuesday's Times-Union provided a thorough and personal picture of what happens at this amazing event. This past Saturday, hundreds of us once again rocked the Tiger Den in the name of learning, enthusiastically applauding the numerous technology efforts of students throughout our area and beyond.
While many, no doubt, played key roles in organizing such a mammoth undertaking, I'd especially like to thank Dick and Nancy Rooker for their vision and leadership where EdCom is concerned. The Rookers also spent countless hours troubleshooting and helping with individual student projects throughout the corporation, as well as tirelessly (and graciously) addressing the frequent and often desperate SOS calls from sponsors and frantic computer lab managers.
We are blessed to have the Rookers, as well as many other devoted, quality people like them, as a part of Warsaw Community Schools.
Donna Propp
Warsaw
via e-mail
Vietnam Memories
Editor, Times-Union:With the conflict in the Persian Gulf area and the 275,000-300,000 troops being deployed there, these times can really bring back a lot of memories from my days in Vietnam. Back in the Vietnam War era we had a lot of antiwar protest just as we do now and it was very hard if you were a serviceman to understand why people were acting like they were while you were putting your life on the line for them.
When we returned home from the Vietnam War, we were not greeted with a parade or even a "job well done," we were greeted with people spitting on us and treating us as though we were scum of the earth.
We should not let this type of thing happen to the troops that are over there now. These people are putting their lives on the line every day so that we can all enjoy living in a free society.
Even if you do not believe in what the government is now doing in the Persian Gulf, please take the time to show our men and women in uniform some support.
On Saturday March 22 there will be a Rally For America at Kruse Auction Park, Auburn at 11a.m. Please get out and show your support for the troops. It will be indoors and it is free.
Mike Berger
Warsaw
via e-mail
Burket Issues
Editor, Times-Union:We would like for the Burket community and any others concerned about keeping Burket Elementary open to know how we feel regarding this very important issue. We, as teachers, would very much like to see Burket Elementary continue being the school for the children in the Burket community. We believe that we have a terrific, small family-oriented school with dedicated staff that deserves a chance to continue being part of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation and the community.
Along with this, we also understand the need for an alternative school in our corporation. These are difficult and troubling times for many teenagers and young adults across the nation. We want them to succeed as much as we want the children in our own classrooms today to succeed. We know that it is possible to find another location besides our elementary school that will be financially sound and also be successful in meeting the goals of the program.
Lastly, we know that Mentone Elementary School is a fantastic school. Should we get the opportunity to teach there in the future, we will continue to be individually effective, caring teachers while being supportive team members who will put the needs of the children first.
To the parents of Burket students and the members of the community, we are very grateful for your faith and support over the last few months. Thank you for everything you have said and done to help keep what we have.
Jenny Shear
Jack Fisher
Pam Sellers
Layne Early
Aimee Lunsford
Renee Parker
Christina Wortly
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