Letters to the Editor 05-10-2004
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Whitko FFA - Child Care Vouchers - Thanks To Legion Post - Astronaut Educator
Whitko FFA
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing this letter out of concern for the Whitko FFA program. I am an alumnus of Whitko High School, and I cannot say that I am proud of that fact after reading the minutes of the WHS school board meetings. Wake up, people in the Whitko School District, your superintendent and trustees are slowly doing away with your elite agriculture and FFA program under the pretense of budget cuts! You need to sit up and pay attention, it won't be long until Whitko is no longer a "Best Buy."
No matter what the current school funding situation is within the state or across the nation, school boards are making budget choices. After all, you elected that school board, and they hired the superintendent. Are they really representing you or just doing as they choose? It's time to get rid of the small school mentality and think outside the box! There are other options, has your board researched alternative solutions or do they take the easy way out?
Your elite FFA program has proven itself over the years to be a leader within the state and across the nation. WHS has a legacy that runs long and deep, other chapters strive to be like them! Why are we cutting into a top notch program that does nothing but produce high quality, trainable, capable and skilled students? This FFA program is not just about farming, contests, ribbons and trophies, or getting to wear a blue corduroy jacket. The curriculum and program teaches the true value of agriculture science, offers career exploration, provides opportunities for learning life-long skills and helps build future, responsible leaders from within your community. Being involved in the Whitko FFA chapter builds self-esteem, teaches communication, critical thinking, interpersonal, leadership skills and shows you the reward of community service through teamwork.
Downsizing may need to take place within this district, but downsizing by cutting top-notch training programs is not the way to do it! There is always the constant battle between athletics and academics. Being a high-school athletic stand-out doesn't get you very far in college or the workplace if you can't read, write or use math skills at a high school level. School systems need to be held accountable for the quality of their products, which are their students, not their athletes!
Agriculture is not just about farming fields, growing corn or even raising prize animals. Agriculture has evolved over the years and has changed from subsistence farming to modern, high-tech production methods coupled with extensive, science-based technology that is needed to provide us with wholesome, safe and quality products, goods and services. As our society moves from rural to suburban-based communities, children need to be taught that milk, eggs and bread don't just come from the corner quick mart. You can never have an ag-less day!
Lori Messmore Montgomery
Pratt, Kan.
via e-mail
Child Care Vouchers
Editor, Times-Union:The Child-Care Voucher program, administered in Kosciusko County by the Mental Health Association, currently has 202 children, representing 108 families on the voucher program. Once a family qualifies for the voucher program, they remain active unless their income rises above the allowable amount or they fail to recertify. The Child Care Voucher Program is at capacity and has 193 children on the waiting list. An exception to the waiting list is made for families who receive a TANF/IMPACT referral. They will immediately receive CCDF Vouchers. It is hoped that the vote on April 27 by the Senate to increase child care funds for welfare recipients and low income families will trickle down to our county and eliminate the waiting list.
This week, eight families with 18 children who qualify for the CCDF Child Care Voucher Program in the Syracuse area had to find new providers as Lakeland Day Care Center announced they are closing their doors effective April 30.
In addition, mandatory meetings have been scheduled for the Kosciusko County Child Care Voucher Program providers to train in use of the new e-Childcare payment system on May 4, at the Warsaw Community Public Library at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Providers must attend one of these scheduled meetings in order to learn how the new Centralized Reimbursement Office system works. This system will eliminate payment by mail and make deposits directly into the provider's account, allow the provider immediate notification of child/family eligibility and increase the auditing capability.
Sandra Frush
Director
Mental Health Association of Kosciusko County
Thanks To Legion Post
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to take this opportunity to thank the American Legion Post 49 for the recent honoring of the jail officers of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office. Many times jail officers go unrecognized within the community of law enforcement. As a law enforcement officer of 25 years, I have been involved in many different positions, with the most recent being jail commander of the Kosciusko County Jail. I believe that being a jail officer is the hardest of all law enforcement duties. Jail officers must handle society's worst people: people that the community does not want roaming our streets, people who have wronged our community, people who have hurt our families in one way or another. It is a dangerous and often stressful work environment that they find themselves in on a daily basis and then try to go home each day with a sense of accomplishment.
There are many people that have worked together to enable the award ceremony and dinner to take place. Legion member Bob Morrison was very instrumental in working with the Legion to accomplish this undertaking. Mike Davis and his staff provided a delicious meal for the jail officers and their wives. It was great accomplishment to have all of the jail officers together to receive this honor and dinner and it was very much appreciated. I would also like to thank the community for their support and recognition of this difficult task that the jail officers undertake on a daily basis. It is often a thankless job and seldom recognized for the efforts that are taken to protect the citizens of this community.
Lt. Larry R. Holderman
Jail Commander
Astronaut Educator
Editor, Times-Union:On May 6, 2004, NASA announced the Astronaut Class of 2004.
Last October, I was invited to test and interview for NASA's Educator Astronaut program. During my week-long interview at Johnson Space Center in Houston, I had the experience of a lifetime and brought back many memories to share with my students and my community. Two weeks ago, I received a call from NASA letting me know that I was not selected to be one of the three Educator Astronauts in the 2004 class. While this was disappointing news, I am nevertheless thankful to have had the interview experience, and the chance to meet many fascinating people associated with NASA. It is my hope that these connections and experiences can continue to benefit my students in the future. Further, I know three of the new astronauts, and in my opinion, NASA's future will be strong and solid with these individuals in the program.
During the entire process, I was touched by the tremendous outpouring of school and community support. The interest and enthusiasm displayed by so many people during this process has helped me to learn just how caring this community really is. My family and I would like to especially thank Dr. McGuire and Warsaw Community Schools. The entire school corporation has been so supportive professionally and personally. I truly appreciate all the interest and enthusiasm from friends and acquaintances locally and abroad. This community truly does know how to come together to support one of its own.
If given the chance, I will apply again.
Dan Wray
Warsaw
via e-mail
[[In-content Ad]]
- Whitko FFA - Child Care Vouchers - Thanks To Legion Post - Astronaut Educator
Whitko FFA
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing this letter out of concern for the Whitko FFA program. I am an alumnus of Whitko High School, and I cannot say that I am proud of that fact after reading the minutes of the WHS school board meetings. Wake up, people in the Whitko School District, your superintendent and trustees are slowly doing away with your elite agriculture and FFA program under the pretense of budget cuts! You need to sit up and pay attention, it won't be long until Whitko is no longer a "Best Buy."
No matter what the current school funding situation is within the state or across the nation, school boards are making budget choices. After all, you elected that school board, and they hired the superintendent. Are they really representing you or just doing as they choose? It's time to get rid of the small school mentality and think outside the box! There are other options, has your board researched alternative solutions or do they take the easy way out?
Your elite FFA program has proven itself over the years to be a leader within the state and across the nation. WHS has a legacy that runs long and deep, other chapters strive to be like them! Why are we cutting into a top notch program that does nothing but produce high quality, trainable, capable and skilled students? This FFA program is not just about farming, contests, ribbons and trophies, or getting to wear a blue corduroy jacket. The curriculum and program teaches the true value of agriculture science, offers career exploration, provides opportunities for learning life-long skills and helps build future, responsible leaders from within your community. Being involved in the Whitko FFA chapter builds self-esteem, teaches communication, critical thinking, interpersonal, leadership skills and shows you the reward of community service through teamwork.
Downsizing may need to take place within this district, but downsizing by cutting top-notch training programs is not the way to do it! There is always the constant battle between athletics and academics. Being a high-school athletic stand-out doesn't get you very far in college or the workplace if you can't read, write or use math skills at a high school level. School systems need to be held accountable for the quality of their products, which are their students, not their athletes!
Agriculture is not just about farming fields, growing corn or even raising prize animals. Agriculture has evolved over the years and has changed from subsistence farming to modern, high-tech production methods coupled with extensive, science-based technology that is needed to provide us with wholesome, safe and quality products, goods and services. As our society moves from rural to suburban-based communities, children need to be taught that milk, eggs and bread don't just come from the corner quick mart. You can never have an ag-less day!
Lori Messmore Montgomery
Pratt, Kan.
via e-mail
Child Care Vouchers
Editor, Times-Union:The Child-Care Voucher program, administered in Kosciusko County by the Mental Health Association, currently has 202 children, representing 108 families on the voucher program. Once a family qualifies for the voucher program, they remain active unless their income rises above the allowable amount or they fail to recertify. The Child Care Voucher Program is at capacity and has 193 children on the waiting list. An exception to the waiting list is made for families who receive a TANF/IMPACT referral. They will immediately receive CCDF Vouchers. It is hoped that the vote on April 27 by the Senate to increase child care funds for welfare recipients and low income families will trickle down to our county and eliminate the waiting list.
This week, eight families with 18 children who qualify for the CCDF Child Care Voucher Program in the Syracuse area had to find new providers as Lakeland Day Care Center announced they are closing their doors effective April 30.
In addition, mandatory meetings have been scheduled for the Kosciusko County Child Care Voucher Program providers to train in use of the new e-Childcare payment system on May 4, at the Warsaw Community Public Library at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Providers must attend one of these scheduled meetings in order to learn how the new Centralized Reimbursement Office system works. This system will eliminate payment by mail and make deposits directly into the provider's account, allow the provider immediate notification of child/family eligibility and increase the auditing capability.
Sandra Frush
Director
Mental Health Association of Kosciusko County
Thanks To Legion Post
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to take this opportunity to thank the American Legion Post 49 for the recent honoring of the jail officers of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office. Many times jail officers go unrecognized within the community of law enforcement. As a law enforcement officer of 25 years, I have been involved in many different positions, with the most recent being jail commander of the Kosciusko County Jail. I believe that being a jail officer is the hardest of all law enforcement duties. Jail officers must handle society's worst people: people that the community does not want roaming our streets, people who have wronged our community, people who have hurt our families in one way or another. It is a dangerous and often stressful work environment that they find themselves in on a daily basis and then try to go home each day with a sense of accomplishment.
There are many people that have worked together to enable the award ceremony and dinner to take place. Legion member Bob Morrison was very instrumental in working with the Legion to accomplish this undertaking. Mike Davis and his staff provided a delicious meal for the jail officers and their wives. It was great accomplishment to have all of the jail officers together to receive this honor and dinner and it was very much appreciated. I would also like to thank the community for their support and recognition of this difficult task that the jail officers undertake on a daily basis. It is often a thankless job and seldom recognized for the efforts that are taken to protect the citizens of this community.
Lt. Larry R. Holderman
Jail Commander
Astronaut Educator
Editor, Times-Union:On May 6, 2004, NASA announced the Astronaut Class of 2004.
Last October, I was invited to test and interview for NASA's Educator Astronaut program. During my week-long interview at Johnson Space Center in Houston, I had the experience of a lifetime and brought back many memories to share with my students and my community. Two weeks ago, I received a call from NASA letting me know that I was not selected to be one of the three Educator Astronauts in the 2004 class. While this was disappointing news, I am nevertheless thankful to have had the interview experience, and the chance to meet many fascinating people associated with NASA. It is my hope that these connections and experiences can continue to benefit my students in the future. Further, I know three of the new astronauts, and in my opinion, NASA's future will be strong and solid with these individuals in the program.
During the entire process, I was touched by the tremendous outpouring of school and community support. The interest and enthusiasm displayed by so many people during this process has helped me to learn just how caring this community really is. My family and I would like to especially thank Dr. McGuire and Warsaw Community Schools. The entire school corporation has been so supportive professionally and personally. I truly appreciate all the interest and enthusiasm from friends and acquaintances locally and abroad. This community truly does know how to come together to support one of its own.
If given the chance, I will apply again.
Dan Wray
Warsaw
via e-mail
[[In-content Ad]]
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