Letters to the Editor 06-11-1999
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Hunter Safety Class - Jail Expansion - Honest People - Theft From Cemetery
Hunter Safety Class
Editor, Times-Union:I am a parent of two students who attend the Wawasee Schools. Two years ago, I attended a School Board meeting to protest the "Hunter Safety" class which is included in the Physical Education curriculum at Milford Middle School. My son was then in 7th grade at Milford, and since he knew how I felt about violence and guns, he showed me the booklet they were to use for the class.Ê
This booklet illustrated shooting stances, how to load and unload a gun, what ammunition is used for a particular type of firearm, and the average range of various weapons ... this class was to culminate with Conservation Officers bringing assorted firearms to class for the kids to handle! (by the way, Wawasee had already initiated a "Zero Tolerance" policy ... apparently only pertaining to students. ...)Ê I was so grateful that my son respected my non-violent beliefs, and was willing to sit in the library during this class.
At that school board meeting, I strongly objected to this class. I attempted to voice my concerns about the inappropriateness ofÊ teaching children about guns in school. Since the school already had a "Zero Tolerance" policy, I had always assumed that I would never have to worry about my children being asked to handle guns in school.
Unfortunately, I was terribly wrong. Although my concerns were considered, the only concession I got from the board was a verbal agreement from Mark Stock that an informational paper and parental permission form would be sent to parents before this class is 'taught' next time.
Last night, as my daughter was unpacking her backpack for the summer, she handed me her "Hunter Education" certificate of completion. My heart stopped.
In light of all the recent school violence, this class was once again a required part of Physical Education classes for 7th graders in Milford. There were no informational papers or permission slips sent home to parents. My daughter realized how upset I'd be about this class, but she chose to hide it from me rather than be singled-out from her classmates like her older brother had been.
I am very disappointed in Wawasee Schools' decision to teach our children how to "properly" use guns. I had hoped that my children would never be around guns until they are old enough, and ADULT enough to handle the destructive forces that guns represent. It's now too late for that ... my daughter's innocence has been stolen by her school ... a place where I thought she was safe.
If there are any parents who feel the way I do, PLEASE write or call Wawasee Schools. We need to let the schools know that we care about our kids, and that we have ZERO TOLERANCE for guns and violence in school!
Jane Plew, Milford
Jail Expansion
Editor, Times-Union:In answer to the jail expansion article. Why use millions of dollars to make our jail bigger in this size of a city. Why not use that money to build something to help prevent more people from going to jail, like something for our young people in Warsaw. They are bored so they ride around Warsaw looking for trouble. Build something to draw their attention, something that will give them a way to release their energy yet will not bore them.
Also, look at the Brandon Robinson case. He was sentenced to prison but is still in our Kosciusko County jail. People like this need to be moved out as quickly as possible, not (just a few weeks after being put in jail) be made trusty. Yes - trusty, given full run of the jail. He's not in a cell full of other men, but in his own personal cell with the door unlocked. Ask anyone that's been in jail recently. They will tell you how he's running around with the guards, joking and laughing. Where is our justice. Here we have someone picked up for speeding, child support or DWI thrown in a cell with 20 other guys, then here is someone put in for DWI causing three innocent, decent young people to die, leaving a baby without her loving parents and families without their dear children they brought up to love and care for others. Yet, this person has his own cell and is made trusty. We don't need more room, we just need some changes to be made.
Pam Hiers, Mentone
Honest People
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to share with everyone that there are honest people in this world.
I left my purse in a shopping cart at Wal-Mart. Some nice lady saw it and turned it in. When I missed it, I never thought I would see it again. To my delight, everything was intact ... money, checks, cards and all. Thanks, lady, whomever you are. May God bless you.
A. Jackson, Akron
Theft From Cemetery
Editor, Times-Union:About a week before Memorial Day, we took a beautiful spray, with three metal rods that went into the ground, and put on my husband's grave.
Imagine our disappointment on Memorial Day when we visited Oakwood and found the spray missing.
Oakwood is so well taken care of. I didn't think it would happen there.
Everil Helser, Nappanee
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- Hunter Safety Class - Jail Expansion - Honest People - Theft From Cemetery
Hunter Safety Class
Editor, Times-Union:I am a parent of two students who attend the Wawasee Schools. Two years ago, I attended a School Board meeting to protest the "Hunter Safety" class which is included in the Physical Education curriculum at Milford Middle School. My son was then in 7th grade at Milford, and since he knew how I felt about violence and guns, he showed me the booklet they were to use for the class.Ê
This booklet illustrated shooting stances, how to load and unload a gun, what ammunition is used for a particular type of firearm, and the average range of various weapons ... this class was to culminate with Conservation Officers bringing assorted firearms to class for the kids to handle! (by the way, Wawasee had already initiated a "Zero Tolerance" policy ... apparently only pertaining to students. ...)Ê I was so grateful that my son respected my non-violent beliefs, and was willing to sit in the library during this class.
At that school board meeting, I strongly objected to this class. I attempted to voice my concerns about the inappropriateness ofÊ teaching children about guns in school. Since the school already had a "Zero Tolerance" policy, I had always assumed that I would never have to worry about my children being asked to handle guns in school.
Unfortunately, I was terribly wrong. Although my concerns were considered, the only concession I got from the board was a verbal agreement from Mark Stock that an informational paper and parental permission form would be sent to parents before this class is 'taught' next time.
Last night, as my daughter was unpacking her backpack for the summer, she handed me her "Hunter Education" certificate of completion. My heart stopped.
In light of all the recent school violence, this class was once again a required part of Physical Education classes for 7th graders in Milford. There were no informational papers or permission slips sent home to parents. My daughter realized how upset I'd be about this class, but she chose to hide it from me rather than be singled-out from her classmates like her older brother had been.
I am very disappointed in Wawasee Schools' decision to teach our children how to "properly" use guns. I had hoped that my children would never be around guns until they are old enough, and ADULT enough to handle the destructive forces that guns represent. It's now too late for that ... my daughter's innocence has been stolen by her school ... a place where I thought she was safe.
If there are any parents who feel the way I do, PLEASE write or call Wawasee Schools. We need to let the schools know that we care about our kids, and that we have ZERO TOLERANCE for guns and violence in school!
Jane Plew, Milford
Jail Expansion
Editor, Times-Union:In answer to the jail expansion article. Why use millions of dollars to make our jail bigger in this size of a city. Why not use that money to build something to help prevent more people from going to jail, like something for our young people in Warsaw. They are bored so they ride around Warsaw looking for trouble. Build something to draw their attention, something that will give them a way to release their energy yet will not bore them.
Also, look at the Brandon Robinson case. He was sentenced to prison but is still in our Kosciusko County jail. People like this need to be moved out as quickly as possible, not (just a few weeks after being put in jail) be made trusty. Yes - trusty, given full run of the jail. He's not in a cell full of other men, but in his own personal cell with the door unlocked. Ask anyone that's been in jail recently. They will tell you how he's running around with the guards, joking and laughing. Where is our justice. Here we have someone picked up for speeding, child support or DWI thrown in a cell with 20 other guys, then here is someone put in for DWI causing three innocent, decent young people to die, leaving a baby without her loving parents and families without their dear children they brought up to love and care for others. Yet, this person has his own cell and is made trusty. We don't need more room, we just need some changes to be made.
Pam Hiers, Mentone
Honest People
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to share with everyone that there are honest people in this world.
I left my purse in a shopping cart at Wal-Mart. Some nice lady saw it and turned it in. When I missed it, I never thought I would see it again. To my delight, everything was intact ... money, checks, cards and all. Thanks, lady, whomever you are. May God bless you.
A. Jackson, Akron
Theft From Cemetery
Editor, Times-Union:About a week before Memorial Day, we took a beautiful spray, with three metal rods that went into the ground, and put on my husband's grave.
Imagine our disappointment on Memorial Day when we visited Oakwood and found the spray missing.
Oakwood is so well taken care of. I didn't think it would happen there.
Everil Helser, Nappanee
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