Letters to the Editor 03-19-1999
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Snow Days - Mental Health - Public Apology - Tippy Valley Basketball - Thanks, KCH
Snow Days
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing about two subjects concerning Wawasee School Corporation that concern me as a parent. The first issue is the "make up snow days" that Mr. Stock is insisting that the school make up, as opposed to taking the waiver that can be applied for from the state. Continuing the school year beyond what has been scheduled imposes many problems for students, parents and for employees of the corporation. Many families have planned family vacations, based on the posted schedule, as have many employees, but more important than that is the fact that many of the students attending Wawasee schools have secured employment to begin immediately after school ending this year. By mandating that students attend school beyond the scheduled school year, these students are placed in a situation that may jeopardize their jobs, as well as the situation that employers are placed in without the employees that they are depending on to begin employment. Mr. Stock states that it is important to instill upon our students the importance of education, and I agree that education is important, however, is it not also important to instill upon our students the importance of commitment? Many of these students have committed to employers, their families and other outside activities, such as church camps, etc. I question as a parent the importance of attending school those last few days, that the state would excuse. Will the students really learn that much that can't be worked into the school day prior to school being dismissed for the year? Are we really teaching our children any important issues by mandating they attend school, or are we teaching them that they need to make a choice of their commitments? I feel that these make up days should be an option available not only to the parents of the students but also to the employees of the school corporation who may have other obligations.
My second issue concerns school delays in the event of bad weather. Today (March 10) was in my opinion, an absolute poor judgment call of the part of Wawasee School Corporation by not delaying school. Many students that travel to school are doing so by driving on county roads, that are the last to be plowed and that are unsafe to travel on. As a parent driving on Armstrong Road this morning, I was appalled that the school did not call for a delay. I am an experienced driver, and found traveling on Armstrong Road very dangerous. Why are we sending inexperienced drivers and school buses out on these roads to risk an accident?
The message that I feel we are giving to our students is not a good one. I feel the message that the corporation is saying to students, staff and families of students, is that at no cost, we will attend school, even if it means risking lives. Maybe the policy should be reviewed.
Jody Miller, Leesburg
Mental Health
Editor, Times-Union:Over the past 14 months the Mental Health Association of Kosciusko County with the support of the Wawasee School Corporation have been providing Life Skills/Parenting Classes to the male inmates at the Kosciusko County Jail. The Mental Health Association could not have undertaken this program without the able assistance of the school corporation. The school has provided support in planning, resource materials, and from time to time a presenter to help with the actual presentations.
It is our desire to thank the former sheriff, the present sheriff, the jail commander, the nurse and the jailers who have been so helpful during this time. It has been difficult at times to work out space for us to meet but the cooperation has been great.
We also need to thank all the other resources who have helped with the program during this time.
We are happy to have had this opportunity but most of all we are glad for the interest shown by the inmates themselves. The letters and comments made on a weekly basis let us know learning is going on. Our hope is that it impacted the inmate and once released it will remain as these skills are used to help impact the life of a child for a positive gain.
Sandra Frush, Executive Director Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association
Public Apology
Editor, Times-Union:I wish to make a public apology to the community where I committed my crime. I'm an 18-year-old young man who is serving a six-year sentence for burglary. I committed my offense in Palestine. To the house of Victor Ramey, I wish to apologize for corrupting the privacy of his home and residence. This ordeal happened August 1997. I owe an apology to my mother, Deborah Holderby. I had stolen her car which was involved in the crime and later was wrecked in a speed chase with the police. Thank you, nurses of Prairie View Health Care for helping Mom get another car. I would like to apologize to the Warsaw Police and Probation Departments, Kosciusko Sheriff's Department and the officers involved in the chase. Last but not least, I would like to apologize to my mother and the Floyd Reffitt family for later revoking a bond that they posted for me. The reason I want to make this apology is to remove a lot of guilt I contain for the crimes I committed. I don't ask for pity but forgiveness.
Thomas E. Seymour, Greencastle
Tippy Valley Basketball
Editor, Times-Union:Congratulations and Thank you...
I would like to thank the Tippecanoe Valley 7th grade basketball team for a year of fine basketball and entertainment. For those of you who did not get to see these girls, you certainly missed an opportunity to see a group who not only were 16 and 0 but were a group of girls who enjoyed playing and seemed as the season went on became aware or almost were one mind on defense. Congratulations certainly go out to Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Sechrist, who taught these girls fundamentals and almost every aspect of the game necessary for success. If these girls stay together and continue to have the fine coaching they had this year, Valley fans are going to be celebrating big things in the future. It would be a great thing if these coaches and players could stay together during their 8th grade and continue to learn during their formative basketball careers. Thanks, girls.
Grandpa Miller, Claypool
Thanks, KCH
Editor, Times Union:Thanks KCH doctors and nurses.
Special thanks to Dr. Mark Jensen, Dr. Greg Hasse, Dr. Dana Coats and Dr. Marvin Walker for your medical abilities, care and concern for my mother (Susie Ruihley). Also thanks to nurses Sue, Karen, Gary, Erik, Kathy and April for the care, encouragement, and love shown to Mom. All of you went the extra mile for several days. Because of God's Grace and all of your talents she is enjoying life. Thanks also to June and Sara for their friendship and support.
Bonnie Rhodes, Warsaw
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- Snow Days - Mental Health - Public Apology - Tippy Valley Basketball - Thanks, KCH
Snow Days
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing about two subjects concerning Wawasee School Corporation that concern me as a parent. The first issue is the "make up snow days" that Mr. Stock is insisting that the school make up, as opposed to taking the waiver that can be applied for from the state. Continuing the school year beyond what has been scheduled imposes many problems for students, parents and for employees of the corporation. Many families have planned family vacations, based on the posted schedule, as have many employees, but more important than that is the fact that many of the students attending Wawasee schools have secured employment to begin immediately after school ending this year. By mandating that students attend school beyond the scheduled school year, these students are placed in a situation that may jeopardize their jobs, as well as the situation that employers are placed in without the employees that they are depending on to begin employment. Mr. Stock states that it is important to instill upon our students the importance of education, and I agree that education is important, however, is it not also important to instill upon our students the importance of commitment? Many of these students have committed to employers, their families and other outside activities, such as church camps, etc. I question as a parent the importance of attending school those last few days, that the state would excuse. Will the students really learn that much that can't be worked into the school day prior to school being dismissed for the year? Are we really teaching our children any important issues by mandating they attend school, or are we teaching them that they need to make a choice of their commitments? I feel that these make up days should be an option available not only to the parents of the students but also to the employees of the school corporation who may have other obligations.
My second issue concerns school delays in the event of bad weather. Today (March 10) was in my opinion, an absolute poor judgment call of the part of Wawasee School Corporation by not delaying school. Many students that travel to school are doing so by driving on county roads, that are the last to be plowed and that are unsafe to travel on. As a parent driving on Armstrong Road this morning, I was appalled that the school did not call for a delay. I am an experienced driver, and found traveling on Armstrong Road very dangerous. Why are we sending inexperienced drivers and school buses out on these roads to risk an accident?
The message that I feel we are giving to our students is not a good one. I feel the message that the corporation is saying to students, staff and families of students, is that at no cost, we will attend school, even if it means risking lives. Maybe the policy should be reviewed.
Jody Miller, Leesburg
Mental Health
Editor, Times-Union:Over the past 14 months the Mental Health Association of Kosciusko County with the support of the Wawasee School Corporation have been providing Life Skills/Parenting Classes to the male inmates at the Kosciusko County Jail. The Mental Health Association could not have undertaken this program without the able assistance of the school corporation. The school has provided support in planning, resource materials, and from time to time a presenter to help with the actual presentations.
It is our desire to thank the former sheriff, the present sheriff, the jail commander, the nurse and the jailers who have been so helpful during this time. It has been difficult at times to work out space for us to meet but the cooperation has been great.
We also need to thank all the other resources who have helped with the program during this time.
We are happy to have had this opportunity but most of all we are glad for the interest shown by the inmates themselves. The letters and comments made on a weekly basis let us know learning is going on. Our hope is that it impacted the inmate and once released it will remain as these skills are used to help impact the life of a child for a positive gain.
Sandra Frush, Executive Director Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association
Public Apology
Editor, Times-Union:I wish to make a public apology to the community where I committed my crime. I'm an 18-year-old young man who is serving a six-year sentence for burglary. I committed my offense in Palestine. To the house of Victor Ramey, I wish to apologize for corrupting the privacy of his home and residence. This ordeal happened August 1997. I owe an apology to my mother, Deborah Holderby. I had stolen her car which was involved in the crime and later was wrecked in a speed chase with the police. Thank you, nurses of Prairie View Health Care for helping Mom get another car. I would like to apologize to the Warsaw Police and Probation Departments, Kosciusko Sheriff's Department and the officers involved in the chase. Last but not least, I would like to apologize to my mother and the Floyd Reffitt family for later revoking a bond that they posted for me. The reason I want to make this apology is to remove a lot of guilt I contain for the crimes I committed. I don't ask for pity but forgiveness.
Thomas E. Seymour, Greencastle
Tippy Valley Basketball
Editor, Times-Union:Congratulations and Thank you...
I would like to thank the Tippecanoe Valley 7th grade basketball team for a year of fine basketball and entertainment. For those of you who did not get to see these girls, you certainly missed an opportunity to see a group who not only were 16 and 0 but were a group of girls who enjoyed playing and seemed as the season went on became aware or almost were one mind on defense. Congratulations certainly go out to Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Sechrist, who taught these girls fundamentals and almost every aspect of the game necessary for success. If these girls stay together and continue to have the fine coaching they had this year, Valley fans are going to be celebrating big things in the future. It would be a great thing if these coaches and players could stay together during their 8th grade and continue to learn during their formative basketball careers. Thanks, girls.
Grandpa Miller, Claypool
Thanks, KCH
Editor, Times Union:Thanks KCH doctors and nurses.
Special thanks to Dr. Mark Jensen, Dr. Greg Hasse, Dr. Dana Coats and Dr. Marvin Walker for your medical abilities, care and concern for my mother (Susie Ruihley). Also thanks to nurses Sue, Karen, Gary, Erik, Kathy and April for the care, encouragement, and love shown to Mom. All of you went the extra mile for several days. Because of God's Grace and all of your talents she is enjoying life. Thanks also to June and Sara for their friendship and support.
Bonnie Rhodes, Warsaw
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