Letters to the Editor 11-24-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Unneeded School Conflict - Blessings Bestowed
Unneeded School Conflict
Editor, Times-Union:It seems the Concerned Citizens for Quality Education group is stirring up unnecessary conflict. We've hard their innuendo about the elected Warsaw Board of School Trustees and how they don't care about the children. These board members probably wouldn't even consider the position if they weren't committed to a quality education for WCS.
While many of us have adjusted to changes made across the spectrum of budget cut options, the Concerned Citizens for Quality Education group continues to doggedly fight for their "rights."
n Title I services have been cut back in K-2 grades.
n The elementary counseling program has been eliminated.
n The high school 4x4 block schedule was replaced with a block 5 trimester, cutting qualified staff.
n Summer school classes were dropped.
n The drivers' education program was overhauled.
Now to the topic of elementary buildings. On June 25, 2001, Dr. Lee Harman, Warsaw Community Schools superintendent, presented a facilities study done by a community-based planning team. This comprehensive report focused on the elementary school classroom utilization and elementary enrollment utilization. You can read the facilities plan at www.warsaw.k12.in.us
On April 30, 2001, the enrollment for the elementary schools was as follows: Atwood, 118; Silver Lake, 160; Claypool, 164; Jefferson, 292; Madison, 397; Washington, 403; Lincoln, 407; Leesburg, 487; Eisenhower, 512; Harrison, 568.
Dr. Harman's proposal was relatively simple. It was to renovate and expand Claypool Elementary, allowing three sections per grade in order to accommodate Silver Lake students. If I recall correctly, one new elementary building also would be built north of Warsaw to replace Atwood School, and accommodate the overflow form other growing elementary schools north of town.
Too bad it's not that simple anymore. But the solution doesn't have to be that complicated, either.
When we came to Kosciusko County in 1990, the controversy then was about the "outrageous" idea of building a new high school and two new elementary schools. Thanks to the foresight, vision and planning back then, the right thing was done, although it wasn't popular.
This county continues to grow and bring in new businesses and families. As we look to the bright future we have here in Kosciusko County, may all be willing to focus on the whole picture, not just our little neighborhoods.
Deborah J. Ross Nayrocker
Warsaw
Blessings Bestowed
Editor, Times-Union:My wife and I are so grateful to God for the loving benefits He has bestowed upon us that I feel I must share this message to the readers. I intend no bragging in sharing it, but humble appreciation to our creator. Use it if you choose.
My wife and I, now in our mid-80s, for years entertained our five children and their families on Thanksgiving day. It was a lot of work, but what a joy!
A week ago there came an invitation from our grandaughter and husband to join her parents and other family members at their home for Thanksgiving. We gladly accepted. We anticipate a pleasant day with family. We're glad for we know there will be a Christian atmosphere with table grace, thanking God for the gracious benefits He has bestowed upon us.
All of this didn't just happen automatically. There was and is much effort and guidance sought and received from God to make our anticipation of a blessed Thanksgiving Day. Deliberately and with commitment my wife and I, early in our marriage of 66 years, made our relation to God our No. 1 priority. Each of our five children were aware of this priority and, praise the Lord, finally are following the path early set before them, including church, Sunday school, church camps, youth fellowship, home daily devotions, including table grace.
Each of them chose his or her vocation. Each chose his or her church: United Methodist, Friends, Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Grace Brethren.
As parents, we lived through and are living through health struggles, and so did and are our children and their children. Our grandaughter, who invited us for Thanksgiving, is doctoring her 3-year-old son who is recovering from pneumonia just now. The doctor said that he would be better this weekend. But he still sings, "Jesus loves me this I know."
There is always the exceptional child, but a child is largely what the home has made him or her. The only way to provide the right home for a child is for parents to put the Lord before them by example and spoken word.
Parents are responsible before God for the home provided for their children. To fail to do this handicaps the child and punished both child and parents in this earthly life and for eternity.
Grandaughter, we're coming Thanksgiving day, the Lord willing.
C.L. Hendrix
Winona Lake
via e-mail
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- Unneeded School Conflict - Blessings Bestowed
Unneeded School Conflict
Editor, Times-Union:It seems the Concerned Citizens for Quality Education group is stirring up unnecessary conflict. We've hard their innuendo about the elected Warsaw Board of School Trustees and how they don't care about the children. These board members probably wouldn't even consider the position if they weren't committed to a quality education for WCS.
While many of us have adjusted to changes made across the spectrum of budget cut options, the Concerned Citizens for Quality Education group continues to doggedly fight for their "rights."
n Title I services have been cut back in K-2 grades.
n The elementary counseling program has been eliminated.
n The high school 4x4 block schedule was replaced with a block 5 trimester, cutting qualified staff.
n Summer school classes were dropped.
n The drivers' education program was overhauled.
Now to the topic of elementary buildings. On June 25, 2001, Dr. Lee Harman, Warsaw Community Schools superintendent, presented a facilities study done by a community-based planning team. This comprehensive report focused on the elementary school classroom utilization and elementary enrollment utilization. You can read the facilities plan at www.warsaw.k12.in.us
On April 30, 2001, the enrollment for the elementary schools was as follows: Atwood, 118; Silver Lake, 160; Claypool, 164; Jefferson, 292; Madison, 397; Washington, 403; Lincoln, 407; Leesburg, 487; Eisenhower, 512; Harrison, 568.
Dr. Harman's proposal was relatively simple. It was to renovate and expand Claypool Elementary, allowing three sections per grade in order to accommodate Silver Lake students. If I recall correctly, one new elementary building also would be built north of Warsaw to replace Atwood School, and accommodate the overflow form other growing elementary schools north of town.
Too bad it's not that simple anymore. But the solution doesn't have to be that complicated, either.
When we came to Kosciusko County in 1990, the controversy then was about the "outrageous" idea of building a new high school and two new elementary schools. Thanks to the foresight, vision and planning back then, the right thing was done, although it wasn't popular.
This county continues to grow and bring in new businesses and families. As we look to the bright future we have here in Kosciusko County, may all be willing to focus on the whole picture, not just our little neighborhoods.
Deborah J. Ross Nayrocker
Warsaw
Blessings Bestowed
Editor, Times-Union:My wife and I are so grateful to God for the loving benefits He has bestowed upon us that I feel I must share this message to the readers. I intend no bragging in sharing it, but humble appreciation to our creator. Use it if you choose.
My wife and I, now in our mid-80s, for years entertained our five children and their families on Thanksgiving day. It was a lot of work, but what a joy!
A week ago there came an invitation from our grandaughter and husband to join her parents and other family members at their home for Thanksgiving. We gladly accepted. We anticipate a pleasant day with family. We're glad for we know there will be a Christian atmosphere with table grace, thanking God for the gracious benefits He has bestowed upon us.
All of this didn't just happen automatically. There was and is much effort and guidance sought and received from God to make our anticipation of a blessed Thanksgiving Day. Deliberately and with commitment my wife and I, early in our marriage of 66 years, made our relation to God our No. 1 priority. Each of our five children were aware of this priority and, praise the Lord, finally are following the path early set before them, including church, Sunday school, church camps, youth fellowship, home daily devotions, including table grace.
Each of them chose his or her vocation. Each chose his or her church: United Methodist, Friends, Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Grace Brethren.
As parents, we lived through and are living through health struggles, and so did and are our children and their children. Our grandaughter, who invited us for Thanksgiving, is doctoring her 3-year-old son who is recovering from pneumonia just now. The doctor said that he would be better this weekend. But he still sings, "Jesus loves me this I know."
There is always the exceptional child, but a child is largely what the home has made him or her. The only way to provide the right home for a child is for parents to put the Lord before them by example and spoken word.
Parents are responsible before God for the home provided for their children. To fail to do this handicaps the child and punished both child and parents in this earthly life and for eternity.
Grandaughter, we're coming Thanksgiving day, the Lord willing.
C.L. Hendrix
Winona Lake
via e-mail
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